History of Scottish Rite In Galveston

By: Roy "Abbie" Hughes 33°

Albert Pike’s Masonic career started in Arkansas in 1850 when he was raised a Master Mason in Star Lodge no.2 in Little Rock. In 1853, Albert Mackey communicated the Scottish Rite degrees, fourth through the thirty-second, to Albert Pike in Charleston, South Carolina. Ten days later he was appointed Deputy Inspector General in Arkansas. Upon the resignation of Grand Commander John Henry Honour, Albert Pike was officially elected Grand Commander in the Southern Jurisdiction on January 3, 1859. Therefore, it is of little surprise that Albert Pike appeared before the Supreme Council on March 29, 1860 announcing the importance of propagating the order in Texas. He had many friends in Texas and, based on his travels, he knew how rapidly Masonry was spreading through-out the entire state. And the time to move was now. He further stated that in spite of the many obstacles that stood in the way of our fraternity the Supreme Council would commence work immediately to find a Deputy Inspector General for Texas.

However gallant his efforts were they ceased to materialize. In early 1861 the war between the states was underway.

On November 22, 1861, Albert Pike was commissioned a Brigadier General by the Confederate government and assigned to command the Indian tribes in the territory west of Arkansas and north of Texas. As bad as the situation was in Scottish Rite at this time, the Civil War made it even worse. During the war Masonic activities in the South almost stopped. By 1865, the Southern Jurisdiction of Scottish Rite was in a chaotic condition because Grand Commander Albert Pike had gone to Canada since he was not included in President Lincoln’s Amnesty Proclamation. Lincoln was not a Mason.

President Andrew Jackson, a Mason, did grant Albert Pike amnesty on Aug. 30, 1865. Albert Pike returned to Memphis, Tennessee and summoned the Supreme Council into session in Charleston on Nov.16, 1865 to resume Scottish Rite activities. At the Supreme Council session in 1866, Albert Pike reported that after many miles of travel and numerous correspondences with James C. Bachelor 33°, Sovereign Grand Inspector General in Louisiana, he had humbly implored Brother Philip Crosby Tucker of Galveston to be the new deputy in Texas. Philip C. Tucker accepted his invitation to lead Scottish Rite and would be ready to act when questioned to do so.

In July of 1866, Albert Pike expressed his warm appreciation to Philip C. Tucker for accepting the position and made plans for him to travel to New Orleans in August and receive the degree and his appointment to Deputy Inspector General in Texas. On August 1, 1866 Philip C. Tucker accepted Albert Pike’s proposal to travel to New Orleans. However, plans were cancelled because of Tucker falling victim to a serious illness. For weeks, his recovery was in doubt. Nevertheless he did recover, return to his law practice, and made plans to travel to New Orleans. On February 5, 1867 Philip C. Tucker traveled to New Orleans from Galveston, to receive the degrees 4^th through 32^nd . On February 13, 1867, by the authority of Grand Commander Albert Pike, he was presented with a certificate which authorized him to be Deputy Inspector General of Texas. The degrees were communicated by James C. Batchelor 33° and Samuel M. Todd 33° assisted by H.R. Swansey 32°.

What Albert Pike did not know and Philip C. Tucker did know was how bad conditions were in Galveston following the Civil War. Little significant development was occurring in Galveston at the time. There seemed to be no end to its misfortune. Port commerce was lagging because of the shallow maritime channel which was only nine feet. Dock activities, a major source of income were extremely sluggish. Island businesses in general were struggling to survive.

If this was not enough, historical records of Galveston tell of a devastating yellow fever epidemic that literally shutdown the entire city in early 1867. With an estimated population of twelve thousand, eight thousand cases were recorded with the number of deaths reaching eleven hundred. In this atmosphere of calamity and misery Scottish Rite was born in Galveston. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes of adversity the San Felipe Lodge of Perfection No.1 was constituted.

Upon returning from New Orleans in February of 1867 Philip C. Tucker met with two of his oldest Masonic friends, Jonathon Sturges Beers and George Krausse, who held Scottish Rite membership out of state. Their objective was quite clear, to search the rolls of Master Masons in Galveston and select those who would be best qualified to serve as officers in the newly chartered Lodge of Perfection. To prepare for the birth of San Felipe Lodge of Perfection No. 1, Tucker, Beers, and Krausse met with the Blue Lodges in the Masonic hall for future meetings. Location of the hall was on the southeast corner of Twenty-first and Postoffice Street.

After days of meditating, praying, and searching, Tucker, Beers, and Krausse called together the Master Masons they had selected to be the first officers of the Lodge of Perfection. It was at this meeting held in mid-February of 1867, that Philip C. Tucker communicated the fourth through the sixteenth degrees to Nahor Briggs Yard and the fourth through the fourteenth degrees to all remaining Master Masons. He also announced the name of the lodge would be San Felipe Lodge of Perfection No.1. Mid May 1867 was selected for the birth date of San Felipe Lodge of Perfection No. 1. On Wednesday evening May 15, 1867 in the Masonic hall a session of brethren of the Scottish Rite was held. Philip C. Tucker, Deputy Inspector General, presented and read a charter constituting the new lodge. Following the presentation of the new charter, officers were appointed and installed to the newly constituted San Felipe Lodge of Perfection No.1.

Officers:

Deputy Inspector General – Philip C. Tucker 32°

Venerable Master – Nahor Briggs Yard 16°

Senior Warden – Benjamin Overfield Hamilton 14°

Junior Warden – Samuel Hidden Gilman 14°

Treasurer – Oliver Steele 14°

Secretary – David Wakelee 14°

Almoner – James Edward Haviland 14°

Master of Ceremonies – Milton Webb Baker 14°

Expert – Marcus Fulton Mott 14°

Assistant Expert – George Krausse 32°

Captain of the Host – Austin Clay Baker 14°

Members Present:

James Sorley 14°

Jonathan Sturges Beers 32°

A biography of the Master Masons selected to serve as the first officers of San Felipe Lodge of Perfection No. 1 represented a good cross section of the Galveston community at that time:

Philip Crosby Tucker: A native of Vermont. A lawyer by profession. He was 40 years of age when appointed to serve as Deputy Inspector General.

Nahor Briggs Yard: A native of New Jersey. a merchant and owner of a retail store. He was 51 years of age when elected to serve as Venerable Master.

Benjamin Overfield Hamilton: A native of Kentucky. A carpenter and house builder by trade. He was 42 years of age when elected to serve as Senior Warden.

Samuel Hidden Gilman: A native of Louisiana. A civil engineer and bridge builder by trade. He was 51 years of age when elected to serve as Junior Warden.

Oliver Steel: A native of New York. A hardware merchant by trade. He was 37 years of age when elected to serve as Treasurer.

David Wakelee: A native of New York. A merchant and owner of a retail store. He was 41 years of age when elected to serve as Secretary.

James Edward Haviland: A native of Alabama. A mariner with world travel experience. He was a former Mayor of Galveston and founder of the Galveston Dry Dock and Ship Repair Co. He was 51years of age when elected to serve as Almoner.

Milton Webb Baker: A native of Kentucky. The older brother of Austin Clay Baker. A partner in the Cotton Forwarding and Brokerage Co. He was 39 years of age when elected to serve as Master of Ceremonies.

Marcus Fulton Mott: A native of Louisiana. A young lawyer by profession who had been in the Blue Lodge just 2 years. He was 30 years of age when elected to serve as Expert.

George Krausse: A native of Saxony Germany. A merchant by trade. A Master Mason and Scottish Rite Mason with out of state membership. He was 48 years of age when elected to serve as Assistant Expert and Orator.

Austin Clay Baker: A native of Kentucky and younger brother of Milton Webb Baker. They were partners in the Cotton Forwarding and Brokerage Co. He was 35 years of age when elected to serve as Captain of the Host.

The first meeting not only afforded Philip C. Tucker the opportunity to conduct the election and installation of the Master Mason he had selected to serve the new lodge, but also to discuss the negative remarks that were being circulated around Galveston about Scottish Rite. Philip C. Tucker was so concerned over the narrow minded opinions of some Master Masons and their families he offered each of the new lodge officers of San Felipe Lodge of Perfection No.1 the opportunity to reconsider their commitment to Scottish Rite.

Benjamin Overfield Hamilton was extremely disturbed by Philip C. Tucker’s remarks. He promptly rose to his feet and said, "We are not about to let a gang of sinister rowdies delay the birth of Scottish Rite in Galveston. None of us are going to resign office. Now Bro. Tucker let us return to the business of the day." On the evening of May 15, 1867, the lodge room of the Masonic Hall, the first official meeting of San Felipe Lodge of Perfection No.1 was opened. The presiding officer was Nahor Briggs Yard, Venerable Master. The first order of business was Nahor B. Yard ordering Bro. David Wakelee, Secretary, to call the roll and see that the names of all officers and members present become part of the minutes of the first meeting. The results of the roll call was all the newly installed officers of San Felipe Lodge of Perfection No. 1 were in attendance plus two members, James Sorley and Jonathan Sturges Beers.

Following the roll call by Bro. David Wakelee, Bro. Philip C. Tucker addressed the group. He thanked each one of them for staying the course and making this first meeting possible. He reminded the group that the Scottish Rite is an Apostle of human liberty and seeks nothing more. That our duty to all Masons is to encourage them to join with us in a study of Freemasonry that we might gain a stronger respect for our fraternity.

Comments endorsing the Scottish Rite and it’s teachings were also presented by Marcus Fulton Mott, Benjamin Overfield Hamilton and Oliver Steele. Bro. Nahor B. Yard thanked the brethren for their support and reminded them we had other issues that we must address. How much dues must we collect and when do we need to start was the next topic discussed. Bro. Milton W. Baker suggested rather than waste time why not appoint Bro. David Wakelee, Secretary, and Bro. Oliver Steele, Treasurer, to investigate the financial needs of San Felipe Lodge of Perfection No. 1 and report back at the next stated meeting. Bro. Nahor B. Yard agreed and followed Bro. Milton W. Bakers suggestion. Another topic brought up requiring a possible source of funding was withdrawn after some discussion.

The final topic to be introduced was the preparation of a set of by-laws to govern San Felipe Lodge of Perfection No.1. Bro. Nahor B. Yard stated that he would prepare a set and have them ready for the next stated meeting. At that time they could be discussed and take whatever steps necessary to make them acceptable to all. The meeting was closed on an air of hope that Scottish Rite would be a success in do time.

Historical writings show that little headway was made following the first meeting. Times were still very disturbing in Galveston. Recovering from the Yellow Fever epidemic proved to be extremely costly. Many members of the community remained very ill and no doubt some expired.

The second meeting of San Felipe Lodge of Perfection No. 1 was not held until Feb.14, 1868 with Bro. Nahor B. Yard, Venerable Master presiding. It was at this meeting that Bro. Philip C. Tucker sadly reported that one of their most beloved brothers, James Edward Haviland had died and they did not have a replacement. He also stated that several others were recovering form their illness and should return soon. The names of three applicants were read for the degrees. They were Ralph Levy, Isadore Lovenberg and M. Strickland. They were elected to receive the work. The amount of $2.65 was contributed to the box of fraternal assistance. Minutes of this second meeting revealed no by-laws were adopted. Bro. Nahor B. Yard closed the Lodge on an air of sadness prayer. "In this hour of darkness let us not forget that all things are possible through prayer."

During the first twelve years of the existence of San Felipe Lodge of Perfection No.1 times were very difficult. Many friends in and outside of the Masonic Fraternity made little effort to keep Scottish Rite alive. However they did survive. After years of struggling to keep the body alive a startling surprise occurred. In 1880 a large influx of new members resulted in the Scottish Rite becoming stronger than it had ever been.

On August 8, 1882 Bro. B.F. Disbrow, the presiding officer of San Felipe Lodge of Perfection No.1, announced that the purpose of this called session was to form a chapter of Rose Croix. After the adoption of his proposal the request was forwarded to Bro. Philip C. Tucker, Inspector General in Texas. On August 23, 1882 a Letter of Temporary was granted to start the new chapter. It was also at this time the members realized that communicating the work was no longer acceptable. To preserve the Scottish Rite and keep it growing it was absolutely necessary to exemplify each degree using the Albert Pike Ritual as a guide. Costumes were made, props were fabricated and a few basic scenes painted, all to be used in the Scottish Rite Room of the Masonic Hall.

After the first conferral in late 1882, the list of candidates increased rapidly while awaiting the next reunion. The work using stage equipment was a part of Masonry that few had ever witnessed. From this time forward membership began to increase. In 1898 a Council of Kadosh was petitioned for and granted. In 1899 Letters of Temporary for a Consistory was requested. Scottish Rite Masonry in the city of Galveston state of Texas had grown into a vital part of the Masonic Family. However, the future of Masonry was about to change very quickly.

It was a warm summer day. The date was September 8, 1900. The Great Storm of 1900 came ashore in Galveston. Six thousand lives were lost and near half of the island lay in ruins. Many thousands left by boats and barges to make their homes elsewhere. Order was quickly reestablished and rebuilding began. One railroad trestle bridge across Galveston Bay to the mainland was rebuilt, but no vehicular connection was made until years later. From this calamity Masonry had to rebuild. Amazingly the Masonic Hall suffered little damage because of its location in the downtown area.

In 1902 the city of Galveston was still struggling to recover from the Great Storm of 1900. It was at this time the Galveston Scottish Rite Bodies was afforded the opportunity to purchase the Harmony Hall building from the Jewish community. The building was rental property that had been vacant since the Great Storm. The structure was located on the northeast corner of Twenty-second and Church Street in the downtown area. It had survived the wrath of the Great Storm and only minor repairs were required before the Scottish Rite could move in. Funds were not available for any major remodeling.

It was in this structure in late 1902, The Galveston Scottish Rite Bodies, Mother Consistory of Texas, had the unique distinction of being the first body in the Southern Jurisdiction to confer all of the degrees on stage with scenery, props, and costumes, without the use of books or rituals. James D. Richardson 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander, visited Galveston on March 2, 1907 and remained to witness an entire reunion. At the close of the reunion he said, "My pleasure has been enhanced by being afforded the opportunity of seeing that which I had never seen before, namely the conferring at a reunion of every one of the degrees of the Rite from the 4° thru the 32° inclusive." These degrees were conferred on a stage with costumes, props, and scenery without the use of books or rituals.

In 1914 after years of spectacular growth in members and assets, an extensive remodeling program was carried out requiring the building to be closed for four months. During this time much of the interior was dismantled and a new elaborate one installed. The reading and lounging area of the first floor was trimmed in solid mahogany panels with furniture to match. The ladies’ reception room and auditorium was finished in gold and white while the game room was paneled in quarter sawn oak. The white Georgian marble covered the lobby and staircase, leading to the second floor auditorium and Egyptian style lodge room area was totally refinished. The kitchen and office area was repainted. A large pipe organ, a gift from the William Browning Lockhart Family, was installed in the beautifully finished auditorium. On May 28, 1914 the newly remodeled cathedral was formally opened to throngs of members and visitors who were overwhelmed by its beauty.

For the next fourteen years Galveston was the center piece of Scottish Rite Masonry in Texas. Even a number of degree teams were staffed with members from other consistories. During this period membership experienced spectacular growth. This magnificent structure and its years of success passed into history on February 5, 1928.

It was a dark and dreary Sunday afternoon about 5:00pm, when a fire was discovered in the northeast corner of the second floor stage area. Spreading with lightening speed, within hours only a burned out shell remained. Years of grandeur and beauty were now ashes and rubble. During the fire the entire contents of the first floor library and much of the furniture from the reading room and lounging areas were carried across the street to the Kahn and Levy Building. The structure was gone, but the spirit of Scottish Rite rallied on to reestablish the tangible for the intangible remained strong.

Cleaning up and evaluating the burned structure began immediately. Care was taken to remove every component that could be salvaged and used in a new cathedral. At a meeting of the Scottish Rite Temple Association and masters of the four bodies held on March 8, 1928, it was decided to build a new structure on the same site. A structure more lavish than the one that was destroyed by fire. A master piece in architecture from the stage to the lodge was not only planned but carried out. It was further decided that in planning this structure every fire proofing technique known at that time would be incorporated. To expedite construction and avoid the pitfalls of building a new structure the best qualified architectural designer in this area must be hired with instructions to start immediately.

After numerous committee meetings, in April 1928 the following firms were hired to replace the structure destroyed by fire.

a.) Alfred C. Finn Co. Architectural Designers of Houston

b.) M.C. Bowden Co. Contracting Engineers of Galveston

c.) A.T. Vick Co. Construction Electrical Engineers of Houston

d.) A.J. Warren Co. Contracting Plumbers of Galveston

In June of 1928 excavation for the building was started. Included in the project was a vacant lot east of and adjacent to the two lots occupied by the structure that burned. This represented a significant increase in the size of the new structure compared to the old. In early July 1928, the concrete foundation was poured and erection of the super structure began. Floors, walls, and ceilings of marble, sandstone, plaster, brick, concrete, and steel. Very little wood or other combustible materials were used. The will of the Temple Association was being carried out. A structure was actually being erected that could never, never be destroyed by fire.

The on sight architect during the erection of the Scottish Rite Cathedral was H. Jordan Mackenzie, a distinguished member of the Alfred C. Finn Company. A very unique surprise that Scottish Rite received from the Alfred C. Finn Co. Architectural Designers, was a super structure of brick, concrete, and steel that rendered the building hurricane proof. In almost 80 years the building has never suffered any damage as a result of Mother Nature. Window glass breakage has been the result of bricks, rocks, tire tools, and gun shot. The exterior of the multi-level structure was covered with hard fired buff colored face brick, trimmed in Indiana limestone. The limestone is adorned with hand carved symbols and signs of the Masonic Fraternity. Exterior stairways leading to key entrances are of gray polished granite with contoured edges.

The main entrance to the building was fitted with four massive bronze artistic doors. The entrance opening is further beautified by two large polished marble columns, one on each side, set into a wall of white marble. The interior of the building was finished in hand crafted walls of marble and plaster. The floors are ultra high polished terrazzo complete with colorful designs. The art windows are of French plate glass, deeply carved and colored using an Italian process known as "Amerit". This creates a charm, beauty, and weather proofing characteristic that renders the glass near permanent and indestructible. In near 80 years not a single window has ever been damaged or destroyed by the wind or weather related events.

The stage of the auditorium was equipped with scenery especially designed by the Great Western Stage Equipment Company of Kansas City, Missouri to be used in the Scottish Rite dramas. The actual fabrication and painting of each scene was carried out in the auditorium prior to installation of the seats. Cutting, gluing, sewing, and some of the painting of the canvas panels began on the floor of the auditorium and was completed while the scenes were hanging on the stage. The end result is the finest stage scenery that can be found in most any Scottish Rite Cathedral in the Southern Jurisdiction.

The generosity of the William Browning Lockhart Family once again prevailed. The new auditorium was adorned with a state of the art Henry Pilcher Sons of Louisville 1256 pipe organ. The organ was fabricated, completely assembled at Louisville and its tone thoroughly regulated. After testing, the organ was dismantled and shipped to Galveston. Henry J. Haury, a member of the Pilcher staff in Houston supervised the entire installation of the organ.

With completion of the Cathedral the mystic bond between man and edifice was now fulfilled. The pains taking care to assemble none but the finest of craftsman and materials had resulted in a structure that would remain as a legacy to generations yet unborn.

All four bodies of the Galveston Scottish Rite once again had a home.

1. • The San Felipe Lodge of Perfection, constituted to service on May 15, 1867.

2. • The Galveston Chapter of Rose Croix chartered on August 23, 1882.

3. • The Galveston Council of Knights Kadosh chartered on October 6, 1898.

4. • The Galveston Consistory chartered on November 18, 1899.

Today the Galveston Scottish Rite Cathedral and Fraternity stand as a tribute to man’s ability to overcome adversity. The principals of faith, hope, and charity are firmly anchored in the fundamental teachings of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man. May they never perish.