1812 — Cumberland Lodge is formed

Cumberland Lodge #8 in Nashville, Tennessee, was formed on June 24, 1812, whenr Robert Searcy, PGM, rode to Raleigh, North Carolina to receive dispensation from the Grand Lodge of North Carolina.

1813 — The Grand Lodge of Tennessee is formed

A Grand Convention was held in Knoxville on December 27, 1813 to establish the Grand Lodge and elect the officers. Thomas Claiborne, a Past Master of Cumberland Lodge, was unanimously elected Grand Master.

1814 — Cumberland Lodge is chartered

Cumberland Lodge #8 was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Tennessee on February 8, 1814.

1870 — Corinthian Lodge is formed

In September, 1870, twenty members of Cumberland Lodge No. 8, F. & A. M., believing that it was a propitious time for a new Lodge, made application to the Grand Lodge of Tennessee for permission to work as Corinthian Lodge No. 414.

Claiborne Lodge No. 293, Henry S. Claiborne, W.M., at its stated meeting September 12, 1870, adopted a resolution recommending the chartering of Corinthian Lodge.

At the stated meeting of Germania Lodge No. 355, Charles C. Giers, W.M., a similar resolution was adopted.

Cumberland Lodge No. 8, at its stated meeting held September 17, 1870, George H. Wells, W.M., also adopted a resolution commending the officers in the highest terms and urging the granting of a charter.

Phoenix Lodge No. 131, George S. Blackie, W.M., at its stated meeting held September 19, 1870, also adopted resolutions cordially and earnestly recommending the issuance of a charter.

The petition for dispensation was granted by Grand Master John Paxton, September 21, 1870. The charter was granted by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Tennessee on November 16, 1870.

At the organization the fees for the degrees were fixed at $75.00, the dues $12.00 per year, payable semiannually in advance and fixed an affiliation fee of $10.00. The charter members all complied with the above, enabling the Lodge to purchase jewels, aprons, an organ, etc.

1873 - 1899 — Difficult Times For The Lodge

During this period the Lodge had a difficult time. The largest annual membership was 54. Two occurrences are said to have had a part in the poor growth of the Lodge during this period. These were a business depression all over the country in 1873, accompanied locally by a severe epidemic of cholera, another depression and the terrible panic of 1893 when many people in the city were ruined, causing heavy losses in the Lodge’s membership, until 1899, when the entire year yielded only one Entered Apprentice degree and the membership was reduced to thirty-nine.

1902 — Oldest Known Lodge Minutes

Since no minutes are available prior to 1902, and since the Grand Lodge records give no information as to the meeting place of the Lodge, an official record of the meeting place or places is not available. According to previously prepared histories, the Lodge is said to have met for the first 30 years in the Masonic Temple, which was located on the north side of Church Street, between 4th Avenue North and 5th Avenue North.

The minutes of the Lodge for 1902 indicate that the Lodge was meeting on the Third Floor of the White Building on the northeast corner of Broadway and Belmont (16th Avenue). The rent at this location was $10.00 per month, which included lights, heat and janitor service. At this time the Lodge had a membership of 98 which gradually increased over a long period of time.

1907 — Temporary Lodging Pt. 1

Becoming dissatisfied with the service at the White Building, on December 13, 1907, the Lodge moved to the Bowen Building which was located on the corner of Broadway and 15th  Avenue. This building was owned by Angus C. Bowen, a member of the Lodge, who operated a Boys’ school at this location. This was a temporary move as the school needed the space.

1908 — Temporary Lodging Pt. 2

On October 24, 1908, the Lodge moved to the Masonic Temple on Church Street, where it was charged a monthly rent of $75.00.

1909 — Temporary Lodging Pt. 3

On January 4, 1909, the Lodge moved to the Y.M.C.A. Building on Vanderbilt University Campus. The rent at this location was $75.00 per year, which was shared with Lucullus Lodge No. 64, Knights Pythias, until November, 1913, when Lucullus Lodge No. 64 moved to another location.

1920 — Purchasing a Building & 50th Anniversary

On February 18, 1920, a summoned meeting of the membership was called to meet at the Broadway Presbyterian Church at 1616 West End Avenue. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the purchase of the building. The decision to purchase the building at a cost of $34,000 was made at this meeting.

The Lodge held a formal opening at 1616 West End Avenue on May 14, 1920, with an attendance of 229 members. An address was delivered by Brother Wilbur F. Foster, the first Master of the Lodge. The Al Menah Shrine Band entertained the group.

The move to the new location resulted in a large increase in membership. The Lodge had 388 members in 1919, which increased to 548 in 1920. This is the largest annual increase in the history of the Lodge.

The 50th Anniversary Celebration was held on December 27, 1920, on which occasion addresses were given by Wilbur F. Foster, P.M. and Albert B. Tavel, P.M.

1929 — First Past Master’s Night

The first Past Master’s night was held on October 7, 1929, during the administration of A. B. (Spike) McClure, on which occasion an altar cloth was presented to the Lodge by the Brotherhood Class of West End Methodist Church.

1930 — A New Membership Peak

Following the move of the Lodge to 1616 West End Avenue, the membership continued to increase until a peak of 885 was reached in 1930. The great depression of the 1930’s made deep inroads on the Lodge’s membership.

1937 — Second Past Master’s Night

Although the first Past Master’s night was held in 1929, it was not observed again until 1937, during the second administration of Brother William H. Rowan, P.M. It has been held annually since that time.

1942 — World War II Affects Membership

In 1942, membership dropped to a low of 486 undoubtedly as an effect of World War II.

1945 — Mortgage Burning & 75th Anniversary

On June 1, 1945, during the administration of Brother J. Cletis Greene, P.M., the mortgage on the Lodge building was paid off. The 75th anniversary of the Lodge was observed on Past Master’s night on November 20, 1945.

1956 — Largest Membership Peak

Following the Second World War, Corinthian Lodge shared in the prosperity and growth of Freemasonry in Tennessee and membership began to increase from the low point in 1942 until a peak of 1,096 was reached in 1956. Membership remained at about the same level until 1966 when a gradual decrease began which has continued to this day.

1964 — Planning Lodge’s 100th Anniversary

In May, 1964, a motion was passed by the Lodge and a committee appointed to arrange for the celebration of the Lodge’s 100th anniversary.

1966 — Time to Sell?

In 1966, the committee was subdivided into two, one to arrange to sell the Lodge building and the other to look for a new site for a building.

1970 — Lodge’s 100th Anniversary

On August 4, 1970, because of the high interest rates, the failure to find a purchaser for the property, and the need for repairs to the building, the Lodge voted to disband the committees and to authorize the Trustees to remodel the present building. A committee of three was appointed by the Master to assist the Trustees in the plans for remodeling (Cecil B. Tucker, P.M., James W. Allen, Jr., P.M., and Ralph W. Harrison).

On November 17, 1970, with W.M. Jefferson H. Dyer presiding and with many distinguished visitors present the Lodge celebrated its Centennial with appropriate ceremonies; each brother present was presented with a commemorative coin as a memento of the occasion.

1972 — Remodeling Project

In 1972, the Lodge entered into a major remodeling program, which was completed in January 1973 and paid off in 1984.

1991 — Membership Continues to Fall

Freemasonry, worldwide, has experienced membership decreases in more recent years, and Corinthian Lodge entered 1991 with 680 members. The Lodge trusts, however, that its character will be judged by the quality and not the quantity of its membership. Many of its members are active in com­munity affairs and the names of many of the leaders in the religious, civic, cultural, and political life of the city and State can be found on the roster of Corinthian Lodge.

1995 — Lodge’s 125th Anniversary

W.M. John W. Harper designated Thursday November 16, 1995, as a day of celebration of Corinthian Lodge’s 125th Anniversary it being the date the Charter was granted on November 16, 1870. Approximately 225 members, wives, and guests attended the banquet and ceremonies. We were honored with many distinguished guests including the entire elected Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge.  Bro. John T. Pigg, PGM served as Master of Ceremonies, Bro. Michael D. O’Bannon, Grand Chaplain served as Chaplain, and M.W.G.M. Charles J. Eads, Jr. delivered a message on Freemasonry to the assemblage. 125th Anniversary coins were presented to each brother attending.

2004 - 2009 — Temporary Lodging Pt. 4

The Lodge building and property at 1616 West End Avenue, acquired from the Broadway Presbyterian Church, served as the home of Corinthian Lodge from May of 1920 until February of 2005. The property was sold in December 2004 and the last meeting at this location was the Stated Meeting held on February 1, 2005.

Corinthian Lodge accepted the gracious offer of Doric Lodge No. 732 to hold their meetings at the Doric Lodge facility at 2101-B 21st Avenue South until a new location could be secured for Corinthian Lodge. Meeting at this new location began on February 22, 2005.

On June 11, 2008, Corinthian purchased the former facility of Edgefield Lodge located at 1400 Eastland Avenue in East Nashville.  Edgefield Lodge had previously merged with Jere Baxter Lodge and no longer had need for this facility.

Corinthian immediately began plans to redefine the architecture of that facility and plan for its renovation. A Ground Breaking ceremony was conducted on November 16, 2008, the 138th Anniversary of the Lodge’s Charter. From the Grand Lodge, the event was attended by Most Worshipful Grand Master of Tennessee, Jerry L. Hanson; Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master, Dickie W. Johnson; Past Grand Master and Right Worshipful Grand Treasurer, Tom Hager; and Past Grand Master and Grand Lecturer, Kenneth I. Wright.

2010 — Moving in to 1400 Eastland

The Laying of the Cornerstone was conducted by the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Tennessee, Brother Dickie Wayland Johnson on November 14, 2009. After the laying of the Cornerstone, the Grand Officers, Corinthian Lodge Officers and members and guest repaired to the Doric Lodge Hall for the Dedication of the Lodge’s new facility.

The new facility was completed in January of 2010 and the first meeting at the new location was the Stated Meeting held on February 2, 2010.

At the close of 2009 there was a membership of 334, the lowest since 1918.