Corinthian Lodge

140 Years of History

During the 140 years of the existence of Corinthian Lodge No. 414, 2,486 Master Mason degrees have been conferred on petitioners to the Lodge. This figure does not include many courtesy degrees conferred by the Lodge. During this period, 603 Master Masons have affiliated with Corinthian Lodge. Also, during this period there were1,404 deaths among active members of the Lodge. Prior to 1927, it was the custom of the Worshipful Master to conduct the Masonic Funerals. In the 60 years from 1927 until 1987, over 85 Masonic Funerals of members have been conducted by Brother Curry B. Hearn, P.M. The Lodge has been deeply indebted to Brother Hearn for this service rendered.

During the period 1871-2009, Corinthian Lodge has had:

  • 124 members have served as Worshipful Master, one served in this office four years, two served three years, and nine served two years,

  • 19 members served as Treasurer, Brother Eugene Meyers having served for 31 years,

  • 17 members served in the office of Secretary; Dr. W. J. O’Callaghan having held the office for 32 years,

  • 26 members served as Tiler, Brother Robert T. Payne, P.M., having served for 31 years, and

  • 35 members have served as Chaplain, Brother John W. Weiler having served for 28 years.

Many members of Corinthian Lodge No. 414 have been active in other branches of Masonry. In 1879 our beloved brother, Wilbur F. Foster, first Worshipful Master of Corinthian Lodge, was elected Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee and served the Ancient and Honorable Fraternity with great credit.  In addition to being Master of Cumberland Lodge No. 8,  Master of Corinthian Lodge No. 414 for four years and Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee, Brother Foster was Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Tennessee, Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery Knight Templar of Tennessee and was the first Master of Kadosh, Trinity Consistory; Valley of Nashville, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.

Since 1930 Corinthian Lodge has had the distinct honor of having four of its Past Masters serve as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee:

  • Brother E.R.Burr in 1930,

  • Brother Martin S. Roberts in 1935,

  • Brother Addison B. McClure in 1946 and

  • Brother John T. Pigg in 1982.

These Brethren rendered great service to the Grand Lodge and Tennessee Masonry. They are numbered among the outstanding Grand Masters of the State of Tennessee and Corinthian Lodge is justly proud of them and their achievements.

Corinthian Lodge No. 414 has had three members to serve as Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Tennessee and one other member to serve as Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Tennessee besides Brother Wilbur F. Foster. In addition, many members have served as head of the local York Rite Bodies in Davidson County.

Corinthian Lodge members have also been very active in Scottish Rite Masonry.  The Lodge is honored in having Brother Andrew B. Benedict, Jr., to serve as Sovereign Grand Inspector General in Tennessee for the Supreme Council of the Thirty-third Degree, Southern Jurisdiction, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry from 1967 through 1991 and Brother Joseph O. Martin, Jr. served from 1991 through 2006.

Twenty-eight members of Corinthian Lodge have served as heads of the Nashville Scottish Rite Bodies. Two of the Secretaries and two Treasurers of the Nashville Scottish Rite Bodies have been members of this Lodge.

Many members of Corinthian Lodge have been honored by the Supreme Council of the Thirty-third Degree, Southern Jurisdiction, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.  Forty-two members have been elected Honorary Inspectors General 33rd Degree and many have been honored with the investiture of Knights Commander Court of Honor.

Corinthian Lodge members have also been active in Al Menah Shrine Temple. Twenty-four having served as Potentate of the Temple.

Several of the Charter Members were veterans of the Civil War and Corinthian Lodge continued to answer the call of our country during the Spanish American War, the First and Second World Wars, and during the conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, and elsewhere. Seventy-six of its members served during the Second World War and two of our Brethren paid the supreme sacrifice. Corinthian Lodge pays homage to them and honors their memory.

With so many of our members being active in the affairs of the Country, Community, Lodge, Grand Lodge, and other orders of Masonry, we are confident of a bright future enhancing the illustrious past of Corinthian Lodge No. 414.

The Lodge faces the future with confidence, with the hope that the future years will be as progressive as the first hundred and forty years. It has always been proud of the excellent Ritual work done. It is hoped that future officers will continue to uphold this tradition.

 

Sources:

  • Snodgrass, Charles A. and Demott, Bobby J., The History of Freemasonry in Tennessee, 1994

  • Tucker, Cecil B., P.M.,  Corinthian Lodge No. 414 – Historical Information, 1970

  • Corinthian Lodge No. 414,  By-Laws and Membership, 2008

  • Corinthian Lodge No. 414, Minutes 1902-2009