Description: |
In the mid-1950s a handful of masons interested in studying the various aspects of Freemasonry started the Cincinnati Masonic Study Club. It did not have dues or any officers other than a secretary. When funds were needed, the members "shelled out" in amounts sufficient for the expenditure. The speaker on all occasions was a member, who read a prepared paper on a subject of masonic interest. The speaker then served as moderator for the following meeting. The by-laws stated that "[t]here shall be twelve members (active) and no more." As a condition of membership, one was required to "prepare a paper, typed, double spaced with three copies, on some phase of Masonry as directed by the Club, or some subject of his own selection with the approval of the Study Club."
The Club suffered its ups and downs, and when at the meeting of April 6, 1961 only four members were present, no paper was given but a lot of soul searching took place. At the following meeting on May 4, it was proposed to raise the membership from 12 to 50, "the eventual outcome of said enlarging of our Study Club being the formation of a [chartered] Lodge of Research." The last meeting was held June 1, 1961, with $1.68 and a "drawer full of fine Masonic papers of great value" in the treasury.
The seed, however, had been well planted, and in fertile soil. Three and one-half years later, on January 30, 1965, sixty-four brethren met in Columbus, and the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Edgar L. Ott, read the dispensation which he had issued, opened the first meeting of the Ohio Lodge of Research, and installed its officers.
Our charter was issued by the Grand Lodge of Ohio the following October. Among the charter members were the Grand Master and the Grand Secretary; a review of the list today shows eleven other Past Grand Masters, three Past Grand High Priests, a Past Grand Illustrious Master, a Past Grand Commander, and numerous masonic scholars, among them William G. Peacher and John Black Vrooman. Also represented were members of other well-known Ohio study clubs, such as those in Gallipolis and Sandusky.
Our objectives are to interest and encourage Ohio masons in the study of Freemasonry, to help correct the more egregious and fantastic ideas concerning masonic history which still abound to this day, and to establish and maintain a masonic library.
Under our charter, membership is open to all Master Masons who are members of regularly constituted Lodges subordinate to the Grand Lodge of Ohio or subordinate to or constituents of Grand Lodges with which the Grand Lodge of Ohio is in fraternal relation. Masons are enrolled in one of two membership tiers: Associate and Active. Associate Members participate fully, but only Active Members may vote, chair committees, or hold elective office. |
