The History of Evening Star Lodge #75

1823 - 1826

In tracing the history of the Evening Star Lodge #75 F.&A.M., we find that it may be divided into four epochs, Birth, First Revival, Second Revival and Third Revival.. In fact, it might be considered as the history of four distinct Lodges, were it not for the fact that the Lodge is today working under its original charter.

In 1823, the Lodges of the state outside the city of New York, and those of the Metropolis, in a fight over a provision in the Constitution which made all Past Masters members of Grand Lodge and allowed them to vote, resulted in a split of Grand Lodge into two bodies known as the City and Country Grand Lodges. Stephen Van Rensselaer, of Albany, was elected Grand Master of the Country Grand Lodge.

On June 10, 1826, the Grand Master, Stephen Van Rensselaer granted a charter to Evening Star Lodge #466, of the Village of Gibbonsville, in the town of Watervliet, County of Albany, New York. Gibbonsville later became West Troy and remained such until 1896 when a city was incorporated bearing the name of Watervliet. 

The original charter, still in possession of the Lodge, bore the following names as officers:

Worshipful Master.................... Joseph Hayward

Senior Warden......................... Ira Holdridge

Junior Warden ......................... Obadiah T. Brown

1826 - 1834

The life of the new lodge, however, was snuffed out almost before it began to live, for on September 12, 1826, just three months after Evening Star Lodge had been chartered, William Morgan, of Batavia, N.Y. disappeared. Because Morgan was known to have been preparing to publish a so-called expose of the secrets of Free Masonry, a wave of anti-Masonic feeling arose. The infant lodge not having the strength of age or membership, as did Apollo Lodge of Troy, could not withstand the pressures of this trying period and so discontinued its meetings.  There is nothing on record to show that any other Master or Wardens were elected other than those named in the original charter, until 1834.  Grand Lodge records show that Evening Star Lodge was not represented in the Grand Lodge session of 1827, nor does any mention of Evening Star Lodge appear in the Proceedings of Grand Lodge, until June 5, 1834. At this time Evening Star Lodge was included in a list of about Three Hundred Lodges whose charters had been forfeited, because they had paid no Grand Lodge dues for at least six years.

Although regular meetings had been discontinued, a few of the Brothers upheld and maintained the principles of the Order, Often they get together and discussed things Masonic, and looked forward to the day when Masonry would no longer be regarded with suspicion, and when the purity of both its principles and actions would be recognized by all.  During these dark and trying times the jewels of the Lodge were sold to pay the rent and the charter became lost.

1838 -  1853

In August 1838, a letter was written by Brother Daniel P. Marshall of Temple Lodge, Albany to the then Grand Secretary Right Worshipful James Herring, pleading for the re-chartering of Evening Star Lodge.  The old charter being lost, this letter still in the Archives of Grand Lodge, bears the notation of the Grand Secretary: "The thing is impossible to grant, unconstitutional and too irregular for a precedent." However, the Grand Secretary's decision was not upheld and the Grand Lodge of 1839 referred the letter to the Committee on Warrants.

The committee reporting in June, 1839 recommended that the whole subject be referred to the Grand Junior Warden, Right Worshipful John D. Willard, He was authorized to grant the request, on payment of one years dues by the Lodge, if he deemed it expedient.

On January 31, 1840 the Grand Junior Warden John D. Willard, who presided over the election and installation of officers, revived Evening Star Lodge #466.  Those elected and installed were: Master, Jacob Gingrich; Senior Warden, Jonathon Hart and Junior Warden, Luther M. Tracey.  In June of 1840, the first Lodge report was filed with the Grand Secretary and showed a membership of twenty-four.  It was in this same month, that Evening Star Lodge had its number changed from 466 to 75.  This came about because so many lodges forfeited their charters in 1834 that it necessitated the renumbering of all the remaining Lodges of the state, and therefore Evening Star was placed in its proper position, among the Lodges of the state.  Thus climaxed the first revival of Evening Star Lodge #75.

Under the watchful eye of John Willard, Evening Star Lodge slowly prospered.  On his urgent request, Brother John S. Perry, a Past Master of Apollo Lodge #13 of Troy, demitted from his mother Lodge to become a member and the Master of Evening Star Lodge in 1842.  Right Worshipful John Willard again installed the officers that year.

1853 - 1860

The Lodge successfully carried on until 1854, at which time, internal dissentions caused the Master Daniel C. Stewart to hold a meeting on April 12. Records show that this was the first meeting held between the election of officers in December of 1853 and the April meeting. At the time the officers were installed and a motion was introduced at the December meeting was taken up, fully discussed and unanimously carried that the Lodge should surrender its charter to Grand Lodge.

An account of these proceedings may be found in a report made to the Grand Lodge Session, by the Master Daniel C. Stewart dated June 3, 1854. Thus the Great Lights were extinguished in the Evening Star Lodge for the second time.

1860 - 1885

After six years of darkness, in the year of 1860, Brother D. W. Talcott, a member of King Solomon’s Primitive Lodge #91 of Troy, and a resident of West Troy, began the agitation for the revival of Evening Star Lodge.  He met with considerable opposition from some of the older members who still felt that the same dissentions still existed that caused the surrender of the Charter. Undaunted, Brother Talcott persisted and finally the opposition subsided and a petition was sent to Grand Master.  In February 1864, letters of dispensation were issued to Evening Star Lodge to resume work under the following officers:

Worshipful Master ...................... Daniel W. Talcott

Senior Warden ........................... William Andrews Jr.

Junior Warden ............................ George T. Milliman

Thus came about the Second Revival and here started a strange chain of events that has made Evening Star Lodge unique and provided it with a very Historic Document.

It was evidently the intention of the grand Lodge to again restore the original Charter and allow the Lodge to resume work under this ancient document.  Worshipful Brother Stewart had turned over the charter to the Grand Secretary but when it was wanted, it could not be found.  On June 18, 1864, a new charter was issued to replace the one that had been lost.  But as the old number 75 was given to the lodge, it can be plainly seen that notwithstanding the changes and misfortunes that befell the lodge, we are operating today under the original charter granted by Grand Master Stephen Van Rensselaer in 1826.

Trials and troubles still plagued the lodge for on September 5, 1865, the charter, which was granted in 1864, was destroyed in a fire and in January 1866, the Grand Lodge issued another to replace it.  This is the charter under which our present Master operates today.

When Grand Secretary E. M. L. Ehlers took office, one of his first official acts was to rescue the Archives of the Grand Lodge from the confusion into which they had fallen under his predecessor. In the vault, among the rubbish, was found the original charter of Evening Star Lodge.  This discovery was made on May 26, 1885.  The Grand Secretary recognizing the historical value of this document to the lodge, sent it to Worshipful Brother D. W. Talcott.  It was kept for ten years in the vault in the National Bank of West Troy until Worshipful Brother Simon Fort had it framed and hung in the lodge room for all to see.   The ravages of time have taken its toll of the frame but this document is still kept in the lodge safe.

Meeting Places Many

From West Troy to Latham

1826 - 1840

In 1826, when Evening Star Lodge was first Chartered, they met in the Chapman building on the corner of Ferry Street and Broadway, which is not 14th street and Broadway.  There were 8 charter members at that time.  Levi Lincoln, E.C. Litchfield, Col. Hamilton, Isaac Hitchcock, N.L.  Hungerford, J. H. Niles, Aaron Clinton and John S. Perry.

1840 - 1860

All records seem to indicate that after the lodges first revival in 1840, they met in a building on the southeast corner of Broadway and Canal Street now known as 16th Street and the site of the building is a vacant lot just two doors north of our present temple.

1860 - 1870

When the lodge was revived a second time in 1860, this same lodge room was used.  The lodge met there until in 1865, when a fire destroyed the building and all of the property of the lodge was lost.  From September 1865 to November 1866 the communications were held next door in the Odd Fellow's Hall.  A Lodge room was then fitted out on the west side of Broadway, across the street from the present temple, on the third floor, which was occupied until December, 1870, when another fire again destroyed all of the property of the lodge including the minute books and records up to that date.

1870 - 1909

From December, 1870 to January, 1909, the lodge held their communications in the Odd Fellows' Hall.

In 1908, our Watervliet Temple was purchased.  The building originally constructed in 1896 was the West Troy Y.M.C.A.  Extensive renovations had to be made before the lodge could meet there.  The Lodge room was part of an auditorium that had exposed ceiling rafters.  A drop ceiling was put in and the dining hall on the main floor was open to the ceiling with a running track all the way around, which overlooked the basketball court on the basement level.  Across the front, in the basement there was a swimming pool and the remainder of the basement was shower and locker rooms. 

1909 - 1969

The Watervliet Temple was dedicated on Tuesday, April 20, 1909.  In the early part of the evening, the Temple was open for inspection and all that viewed the building were agreed that our Temple was one of the nicest in this area at the time.  Records show that this was one of the most gala occasions in the history of the Lodge.  During the time that the open house and inspection tours were taking place, the Troy City Orchestra, under the leadership of William Noller, played appropriate music from the balcony of the Lodge room.  The Lodge room was filled to capacity that evening for the dedication ceremonies.  The Grand Master, S. Nelson Sawyer, accompanied by his associate officers, organized a Grand Lodge for the purpose of dedicating the new Temple. The Grand Lodge officers that assisted the Grand Master are as follows:  Right Worshipful Robert Judson Kenworthy; Deputy Grand Master, Right Worshipful Charles Smith, Senior Grand Warden;  Right Worshipful Ensign S. Homer, Junior Grand Warden; Right Worshipful William H. Miller, Grand Treasurer;  Right Worshipful Arthur MacArthur, Grand Secretary; Right Worshipful John Laubenheimer, Grand Chaplain and Right Worshipful George S. Tinklepaugh, Grand Marshal.

After a brief welcoming address by the Master John Docherty, a solemn and beautiful ceremony of dedication was conducted by the Grand Master.  Right Worshipful Daniel W. Talcott, the man who Evening Star Lodge really owed its existence to, presented the Grand Master with and ivory gavel, suitably inscribed, as a gift of the fraternity in Watervliet.

After the dedication ceremonies, a banquet was served to about 400 guests in the dining hall on the lower floor.  Right Worshipful Morris S. MacKenzie acted as Toastmaster and after a welcoming address, introduced several speakers.  The evening as a while provided to be a big success and a gratifying memory to the officers and the members of Evening Star Lodge.

Since the second restoration, Evening Star Lodge has grown and prospered.  This has largely been due to the zeal of its officers and members through the years.  The constant striving for ritualistic perfection has been a big factor in the gaining of new members and promoting frequent fraternal visits from brethren of sister Lodges in our own and neighboring jurisdictions.  The Lodge is held in high esteem by the city government and community as a while. At the start of this , our second hundred years of existence, may we continue to warrant this esteem by practicing the principles of the Institution under the guidance of the Supreme Architect of the Universe.

1969 - 1988

Almost immediately after the lodge began its second century of operation, a major crisis arose.  The New York Highway Department announced plans to construct a road (which we now know as Interstate 787) through the property in Watervliet, forcing Evening Star Lodge to obtain a new site.  At the beginning of 1966, Master Robert Green named a committee to accomplish this.  Its members were Walter Rhutz, Leslie Gaffers, Emmott Lennon Jr.; John Schleich, Charles Othout and Edward Buhrmaster Sr.  The year before, Bro. Schleich had been Master and Bro. Buhrmaster accepted the office of Treasurer, which he was held to the present day.  He replaced Bro. Othout in 1966 and Bro. Buhrmaster in '84. Also in 1965, the famous power failure in the Northeast disrupted the regular meeting of November 9, five days after the initial blackout.

A plan to acquire the present property from Calvary Methodist Church was accepted by the assembled brethren on February 22, 1966.  The new grounds were rented to the Olsen Company and the Latham Bible Baptist Church until finally, on April 22, 1969, our last meeting was held in the Watervliet Temple. This was a third degree and stimulating moment for Master Jon Liburdi.  He conferred the degree, then attended Grand Lodge and returned to preside over the first meeting in Latham, where Temple Association President Franklin Wells spoke of all that had been made possible by the support of the Lodge and other bodies.  Considerable building renovation was still to be done, and the Century Club was established toward this end.  A generous gift was received from Samuel Wise, long time Tiler, caretaker and prominent citizen.  Dedication of the Temple took place on April 4, 1970 with Grand Master Charles Gosnell officiating and Kenneth Kippen serving as Master.  Rep. Samuel Stratton attended and later presented the lodge with a flag that had previously flown over the U.S. Capital.  Construction of a clubroom was accomplished through the efforts of John Hellwig and others.

During this period, the lodge held New Year's, St. Patrick's Day and other parties with the ladies.  We attended communion breakfasts, bowling tournaments, "hill degrees" in Bennington VT., and hundredth anniversary celebrations of the city of Cohoes in 1970 and Hudson River Chapter, R.A.M. in '72.   We supported the Latham Little League and held charitable and social functions with the local Knights lf Columbus.  Fifteen brothers were raised in 1971.  Among those providing assistance for degrees, installations and special events were John Wilson, Charles Christiansen, Walter RAchteler and Emmott Lennon.  Joseph Pullan, Ernest Gloeckner and Lotenzo Warner served as lodge trustees for many years; also Vartan Vartanian drill team captain and Richard Cesare Brotherhood Fund chairman.  John Carville conducted some auctions on behalf of the Temple Association and was appointed District Deputy Grand Master in 1973.   Members of Evening Star travelled to several of his visitations by chartered bus.  In the same year, Joseph Wilson began his fourteen years of service as Secretary.

Grand Lodge initiated the "Think Big and Build" campaign and adopted the policy of concurrent jurisdiction for petitioners just prior to the celebration of its 200th anniversary.  Taking place in September 1981, in Albany, this memorable event featured a parade rededication breakfast, and a special Communication in the Empire State Plaza.  Grand Master Bruce Widger appeared on television to urge support from Masons statewide.  On the local front, Raymond Herrmann and Louis Collen each served as Master for two years in the early 1980's.   Evert Carlson donated an organ and Edward Burhmaster a square and compasses set, in memory of his father, to the lodge. Support was given to Boy Scouts Troop 279 of Latham, the North Colonie Emergency Relief Squad, and various charities through proceeds from yearly Masonic Nights at Heritage Park.  We donated to the Medical Research Lab in Utica in memory of Joseph Ketzer and revived a plaque which was presented to his family.  At a Memorial Service, John Juyck presented a new flag, dedicated in honor of Lloyd Othout.  Frank Bachteler received his sixty year pin while in Florida; Berbard Porter Jr. commenced tenure as Secretary in 1987, The Latham Temple was the site of many district meetings and meals prepared by our brethren and members of Wiletta Chapter O.E.S. were enjoyed by all.  For the younger members of our Masonic Family, the lodge held Trim-a-Tree parties in December, along with Christmas parties of David Golden.  Visitors were welcomed at an open house commemorating the 200th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution.  Some members of the lodge marched with others from the area in the 1988 Troy Flag Day Parade; and the Masonic division won a trophy for the best overall. It was a fine display of our regalia, imagination and patriotism.

Evening Star Lodge and our brothers worldwide now face the dilemma of declining membership and attendance.  We have our history and hearts to support our endeavors to perpetuate this great fraternity.  With friendship, morality and brotherly love our objectives and Almighty God our inspiration, we will persevere.  

1989 – present: (being compiled)