JUSTICE LODGE NO. 949: The Only lodge to merge with Oriental No. 33

 

Membership in multiple lodges was not permitted in Illinois until 1975, as was also the case in many other jurisdictions, and it was customary for new lodges to be “spun off” once a lodge had attained a certain level of membership, with would-be new lodge members required to dimit from their old one prior to joining the new one. Having members prove their sincerity by casting their lot together, it was thought, would ensure success and provide leadership opportunities for charter members to serve as officers in their new lodge.

Justice Lodge No. 949 was one such lodge, started when a request to establish a new lodge received dispensation from Most Worshipful Grand Master Albert B. Ashley on July 10, 1911. The lodge was instituted the next day by Right Worshipful District Deputy Grand Master Harry W. Harvey of the Second District, who presented the dispensation and installed the first slate of officers.