Mackey Lodge No. 69

2011

Most Worshipful James Evans, Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, granted a dispensation for Mackey Lodge on July 1, 1851.

A called communication was held in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Campbell County, the first county owned office building which had been erected in 1830, on Monday evening July 14, 1851, for the purpose of organizing and commencing work as a regular Lodge. Officers were duly elected and installed. A committee was appointed to draft a set of bylaws. These bylaws, after being read and amended, were approved on July 26, 1851.

On Monday evening, October 13, 1851, the regular communication was held at the Temperance Hall and Union Chapel. Prior to this all meetings had been held in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Campbell County.

Records state that “Sometime in the year 1850, an organization known as the Sons of Temperance purchased suitable land, erected a building and formed Division No. 159.” It is interesting to note that the minutes of Marshall Lodge No. 39 state that a cornerstone was laid for “Temperance Hall and Union Chapel” on August 30, 1850. The Masonic bodies of Lynchburg did this almost two months before Deed Book No. 28, Page 234 of the Campbell County Records state that this one-sixth acre is conveyed from German Jordan on October 3, 1850.

At a communication held on Monday evening, January 12, 1852, a committee was authorized to offer to Rustburg Division of Sons of Temperance, the sum of $2.50 per communication for permitting the Lodge to meet in their hall until further notice.

This Lodge is proud to bear the name of an eminent Mason, Dr. Albert Gallatin Mackey. Dr. Mackey was born in Charleston, SC on March 12, 1807, and died at Fort Monroe, Virginia on June 20, 1881. He is buried in Washington DC. He was raised in St. Andrews Lodge No.10, in Charleston in 1841. His contributions to the literature and science of Freemasonry are unsurpassed in the annals of American Masonry. He has twelve published works on Masonry.

Division No. 159 of the Sons of Temperance became extinct about 1855. It was then determined that a lien against the building could not be paid, so a Chancery Suit was filed for the balance due in October 1855. E. R. Page, a member and Past Master of Mackey Lodge No. 69, purchased “Temperance Hall and Union Chapel”. This was to be conveyed to the trustees of Mackey Lodge No. 59 and trustees of the Episcopal Church of Campbell Courthouse, with joint title being held by these organizations.

At a special communication of Mackey Lodge No. 69 on June 1, 1940, Most Worshipful Thomas J. Traylor, Grand Mater of Masons in Virginia, presided at the raising of five Fellowcraft to the sublime degree of Master Mason.