Gainesville Masonic Lodge No. 41 in Gainesville, Florida is a historic Masonic building, located at 215 North Main Street. It was constructed by Gainesville Masonic Lodge No. 41 in 1908. On May 29, 1998, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
Origins
In 1857, twelve years after Florida became a state, a group of eighteen Gainesville Masons petitioned for and obtained a charter from the Grand Lodge of Florida, which at that time maintained headquarters in Tallahassee. Conditions of that time were very different and crude compared to modern standards. However, the circumstances and mode of living of that period created the urge for Masonry in Gainesville.
The First Century 1857-1957
Early Years: 1857-1876
Not much is known about the first two decades of Gainesville 41. The official charter of the lodge was approved and issued on January 15, 1857. The first meeting of which there are any records was not held until April 15, 1857. The main concern of the first few meetings were to provide proper books and furniture for the young lodge. However, the lodge began to grow quickly by receiving four petitions for membership by the second meeting.
Not much is known about the lodge's activities during the Civil War and Reconstruction era, however the minutes of the Grand Lodge of Florida indicate that the lodge was represented in the Grand Communication and had paid its annual dues to the Grand Lodge of Florida.
Growth: 1876-1908
It was during this period that Gainesville Lodge No. 41 received petitions of membership from many quality Masons that became prominent members within the Fraternity. The most important being that of Marcus Endel, who after his entrance in 1875 went on to become Master of the lodge in 1878 and was twice re-elected to sit in that seat. In 1881 he went on to being elected the Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Florida and served in that office for 3 years until he was elected as Deputy Grand Master for 1892, and finally in 1893, he became the first member of this lodge to become the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Florida.
In 1896, a committee as appointed to make arrangements to erect a building on a vacant lot to be used as a picture gallery. The plans were that contributions were to be solicited from the members with repayment to be made from the rents collected, and after such payment had been made, the building was to become the property of the Lodge. This plan however ended when the lot was sold to the City of Gainesville on December 24, 1902. A new lot was purchased as a result from the Episcopal Church on the corner of North Main Street and NE 3rd Avenue. Acting on authority of the articles of incorporation, the Lodge authorized a sum of money for the purpose of erecting and furnishing a building. After much effort, enough funds were in hand to begin work on September 9, 1908. With R. T. Schaffer as Master of the Lodge (the man whom the second Masonic Lodge in Gainesville is named after), the cornerstone of this present building was laid.
By virtue of the principles of Masonry, this Lodge has also been greatly instrumental in laying the cornerstones of many buildings in this city, including but not limited to: East Florida Seminary (May 30, 1883), Gainesville Courthouse (January 14, 1885), Kavanaugh Memorial Church (December 6, 1886), First Baptist Church (April 1896), and University of Florida Auditorium (April 21, 1922).
Age:1909-1957
During the days of World War I much of the meetings were done short of time on authority of special dispensations given by the Grand Master. During the latter part of 1918, meetings were suspended for a period of two months by order of the health board on account of the epidemic of influenza.
On May 24, 1922, Florida Chapter of the Order of DeMolay was installed in this city and was sponsored by this Lodge.
In 1936, with Earl V. Simpson as Master of the Lodge, a ceremony was started which now holds great traditional sentiment in this lodge: The Past Masters' Chain. During this ceremony, the Master of the Lodge hammers a link engraved with his initials and year as Master, into the chain of Past Masters. The chain currently holds 77 links and is hung behind the Master's chair.