Lodge History

Pine Level Lodge

No. 353

Fitzgerald, GA

Chartered:

October 29, 1891

Swan, GA

A good brother by the name of John Luke, so the deed tells us, gave a level plot of ground for the building of a Methodist Church. The ground was covered in pines. Pine Level was decided on as a fitting name. Heart pines were used for the foundation and construction of this one room Church. A small porch on the front faced the five roads that now go by the Church, a plain and crude structure but fitting the needs of the community. A big iron stove was placed in the center of the room and supplied the warmth in cold weather. Fat pine knots were plentiful and willing hands kept a generous supply ready for all occasions. Kerosene lamps were used for lighting. They hung along the walls. Pine Level replaced the Old Bishop's School House, which was erected in the 1800's. So Pine Level was not only a place of worship but a house of learning, and many social activities were held there. The Pine Level Lodge originated here and met every fourth Friday evening of the month. Pine Level Lodge received its charter from the Grand Lodge of Georgia on October 29, 1891.

The Charter Members Of Pine Level Lodge No. 353:

The next year it moved to the little community of Swan, on the site that would become Fitzgerald. When the colony was founded in 1896 the lodge was officially associated with it. We do not know when the actual move to Fitzgerald occurred, but records indicate that the lodger held it’s meetings in the Colony Post G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) #14 Hall up until May 1, 1897.

Samuel A. Burns

Marion Dickson

E. J. Dorminey

D.G. Drew

Benjamin Drew

John E. Dykes

H.C. Drew

John T. Dicks

M. Henderson

D.A. McCaskell

Joseph McGee

Alex McInnis

W.L. McWhite

John W. Smth

S.P. Troup

Lewis Wilcox

George K. Wilcox

(Fitzgerald, 1895. Colony Post #14 G.A.R. with the first veterans to arrive in Fitzgerald.)

From mid May 1897 to June 14, 1898 the Lodge met at the Python Castle Hall. (No picture is available)

The lodge then held its meetings in the W.R.C. Hall (Women’s Relief Corp). This building is located at 219 S. Main and is now Dorminy Brothers Land & Cattle Farm. Meetings were held here beginning on January 15, 1900. The rental fee was $20.00 per year.

(Fitzgerald, 1900-1930. Celebration of the Women's Relief Corps, the women's branch of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR).

As Fitzgerald grew and times changed the lodge moved to other locations for meeting places. The next location was the Independent Order of Odd Fellows located at 201 S. Main St. and now is the infamous Nabila’s Garden Restaurant.

The meetings were then moved 128 1/2 E. Central Ave. which was the Consolidated Grocery Company, which was previously Seagraves Furniture. The lodge met on the second floor up until construction on the current building was completed.

The Sixteen Annual Session of the Third Masonic District Convention of Georgia

Was held in

Fitzgerald, Georgia

August 2-3, 1916

Construction on the current Masonic Temple building, located at 128 S. Lee St., was started in December of 1963.

Frank Ward Freeman Sr. was the Worshipful Master along with David L. Paulk as Secretary. The Building & Finance Committee was composed of: David L. Paulk, J.D. Rigsby, J.C. Bowen, J. Wade Cleary, Garland S. McIntyre, Harvey L. Jay and Walter S. Walker.

Pine Level Lodge is the oldest (still active) Fraternal Organization in Fitzgerald.