Photo of First Meeting Place (See address below or
Home page for current Address and directions to the Greenville Masonic Temple)
WALDEN MASONIC LODGE #274, A. F. M.
requests the pleasure of your company for their
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION and LODGE REDEDICATION
On Saturday, the fourteenth of June, two thousand eight
at seven-thirty pm
The Masonic Temple, 222 Howe Street, Greenville, South Carolina
Casual Dress Acceptable
R. W. Kendrick Bibb Overalls Preferred
rsvp@waldenlodge274afm.org Grand Lodge opens at 7:30 pm
Chartered December 9, 1908
R.S.V.P. - Please let us know if you plan to attend the Centennial Celebration and Lodge Rededication. The Dinner has sold out.
LIMITED EDITION CENTENNIAL COIN: The Centennial Coin has sold out.
Centennial Committee 2008
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Brethren and friends all, Greetings from Walden Lodge No. 274, A.F.M. We need your help. If you have any photos, Masonic items, or stories from the past that would be suitable for our Centennial celebration, please let one of the Officers know. Your Centennial committee is working hard to research and document the history of Walden Lodge No. 274. It is critical that those who have knowledge of the past rich history of Walden come forward so that the lodge history can be accurately and fully documented.
Below is some of the information that RW Bob Kendrick has found and shared. Please read the rest of the page.
Your contributions are welcomed. Thank you for your help.
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Below is an e-mail from Right Worshipful and Past Master of Walden Lodge No. 274, A.F.M., Brother Robert W. "Bob" Kendrick, dated July 25, 2007.
RW Bro. Bob found that Walden originally met at the Greenville Southern Railway Train Depot. Click on Thumbnail for larger photo.
According to the minutes, about 1913 Walden moved from the Depot to Raines Meeting Hall on Hampton Ave. About 1917 Walden moved to the Masonic Temple on Main Street. The Masonic Temple was sold to the City in the early 1970's and demolished to build the present City Hall. After meeting temporarily at the Elks Club, Walden then moved to the current Masonic Temple at 222 Howe Street in the early 70's.
The above info will be added to and more specific as time progresses. Please feel free to contribute by contacting RW Bro. Bob Kendrick (contact info below).
(E-mail from Bob)
Mel,
I have initiated the process of attempting to do a history of Walden Lodge #274 A.F.M. , Greenville S. C. in anticipation of the lodges Centennial in 2008.
Walden lodge went Under dispensation in June of 1908 and was Chartered in December 1908. It seems Walden lodge was named for one William A. Walden, last of Greenville, S. C.. He was a forty year employee of the railroad, working the last ten years of his life as a Foreman for Southern Railway in Greenville, S. C. Walden Lodge first met at the Southern Railway Train/Passenger station on West Washington Street, Greenville, S. C. It would seem most of our lodge members either walked to lodge or came by horse and buggy as my research shows there were only 5 automobiles in Greenville in 1904 and only 1038 in 1914.
I would appreciate you sending out an announcement/request to the people (Masonic and other) contained in your many mailing list asking if anyone has memories, recollections, etc about Walden Lodge over the last 99 years that they share the same with me. Direction and guidance in this endeavor is also welcome. Also if they have any photographs and or memorabilia of the lodge, Masonic Temple etc during the time period of 1908 and beyond they are willing to share I would love to have access.
I also think it would be helpful if this information and request were placed on our lodge web page if you can obtain the Masters permission to do so if needed.
Thank you for your assistance in this matter. I can be reached in the following manners:
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R W. "Bob" Kendrick
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P O Box 102, Fountain Inn, S. C. 29644
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Home:864.862.4023 Cell:864.346.3148 (Best way via phone)
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email: rsvp@waldenlodge274afm.org
(End e-mail from Bob)