The Laurel Wreath Lodge Maintains Ties to Past and Present at Masonic Temple on Washington Ave.

The Laurel Wreath Lodge, which holds meetings today on the first and third Mondays of the Month at the Laurel Masonic Temple on Washington Boulevard, came into existence back in 1869. According to its website: “The birth of the Lodge preceded by only five months the incorporation of the Town of Laurel on April 4, 1870. Since that time both institutions have been intimately associated, through participation of our Masonic brethren, in a broad range of community affairs.”

Freemasonry, one of the most misunderstood community organizations, rose during the 16^th and 17^th centuries, and while those not involved in the organization think of it as a secretive society, nowadays members think of themselves as an “esoteric” fraternal organization that has secrets. Much of the language that appears as code relates to brick laying (masonry) and architecture dating back to Medieval times.

The nine men responsible for setting up the Laurel Lodge came from a diverse background. Among them, Robert Cooper McGinn was born in Cork, Ireland, but came to the United States where he became a teacher. McGinn is regarded as the driving force in getting the proper dispensation need to organize the Laurel Lodge.

Alexander Sharpe was a U.S. Marshal and a brother-in-law of President Ulysses S. Grant. Other founding members include brothers Thomas Davis Bond and Robert V. Bond. They were part of the Snowden family Birmingham Manor tract. Robert is believed to have been a molder in the Laurel foundries.

Around 1917, the Lodge took up the cause of servicemen in WWI. The official meetings reflected their commitment to the cause: "that members of Laurel Wreath do all in their power towards the entertainment and comfort of the 'men in the service' who may be located nearby, the Grand Lodge being ready and willing to cooperate financially or otherwise."

Time went on, but the community service never stopped (and still hasn’t). In 1976, in honor of the bicentennial, the Lodge started an annual clean-up day at the Ivy Jill Cemetery as a way of honoring the many Laurel Wreath brothers who have been interred there. The clean-up day precedes Memorial Day.

Today, the group offers scholarships for Laurel students. If you are a student in the Laurel area and wish to apply, download an application form.

Spiritual events form another component of Freemasonry service. In particular the festivals of Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist are major events. Traditionally, the Laurel Wreath Lodge has attended services on those days. Often a pancake breakfast is held in advance of the church service and wives, family and friends are invited.

The Laurel Wreath Lodge hosts the observance in December, and it has formed a relationship with Solomon’s Lodge which holds the June observation. It’s a gesture to display faith as a tenet of the organization as well as brotherhood by uniting with the other Lodges.

While community aid and spiritual observation are huge parts of the Lodge’s annual activities, fun activities meant to strengthen the fraternal nature of the organization are also a large part of the working agenda of the Laurel Lodge.

In August 1984, they held what would become an annual crab feast. It’s run under the name “Laurel Pillar Club,” an organization set up to meet IRS non-profit requirements.

 For more information on the Laurel Wreath Lodge, contact 301-725-4304.

Upcoming: I’m tracking down members of groups that are no longer in existence. If you have any information on the Women’s Club or the Capital  Camera Club, please contact me. I want to include as many people in this column, so if you had a relative involved in various long-running community organizations and clubs, I'd love to hear about them. drop me an email at TerpGirl30@yahoo.com or call 410-335-7242.