John L. DeGrazier Lodge was founded in January 1955
under the authority of the Grand
Lodge of Texas of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
The John L. DeGrazier lodge is located at 5300
Forest Lane, Dallas, TX 75244 and is in Masonic
District 14F. Although DeGrazier Lodge owns the building,
this building is also the home to Keystone Lodge #1143,
Vickery Lodge #1351, John L. DeGrazier Lodge #881, Order
of the Eastern Star, Richard H. Rose Chapter, Order
of DeMolay, and Dallas Assembly #33, International Order
of Rainbow Girls.
Lodge History
For quite some time the leaders of the Scottish
Rite Valley of Dallas had been considering the possibility
to sponsoring a Masonic Lodge somewhere north of Northwest
Highway as the city was experiencing considerable expansion
into north Dallas. The idea was discussed from time
to time but no action was taken until January 1955,
at which time a concrete plan was proposed.
On January 5, 1955 an organization meeting of 25 Scottish
Rite Masons met on a Sunday afternoon at St. Michaels
and All Angels Episcopal Church that was growing rapidly
in north Dallas. The meeting was presided over by the
District Deputy Grand Master, for the Grand Lodge of
Texas, the Right Worshipful Bill McAnnally. The name
of lodge was voted on and approved as John L. DeGrazier
in honor of a man who's civic and Masonic contributions
had spanned over many decades. The Lodge Officers elected
on that day were both leaders in Masonry and in the
north Texas community.
Highland Park Lodge #1150 graciously invited the newly formed John L. DeGrazier Lodge
to use their facilities until we had a lodge of our own. The second meeting of John L.
DeGrazier Lodge was held at Highland Park Lodge, at which meeting Highland Park Lodge
presented John L. DeGrazier Lodge a beautiful Bible and Brother John L. DeGrazier's
Templar Sword. Hella Shrine presented the furniture of the Lodge at that same meeting.
In October 1955, John L. DeGrazier Lodge conferred its first Master Masons Degree.
Brother James Paule, son of the Senior Warden M.M. Paule, and Godson of Brother John
L. DeGrazier, was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason.
On December 19, 1955, a called meeting of the Grand Lodge of Texas was opened in the
Scottish Rite Temple in Dallas for the purpose of presenting charters to four Lodges
then Under Dispensation. At this meeting Charter #1349 was presented to John L.
DeGrazier Lodge. John L. DeGrazier Lodge #1349 continued to grow though out the Masonic
year, and on June 26, 1956 the first regular Installations of Officers were held when
Brother M.M. Paule was installed as the Worshipful Master.
On January 13, 1959 the Lodge voted to purchase the present lot to build a permanent
home. The ground breaking for the current building at 5300 Forest Lane took place on
March 1, 1962, the corner stone was leveled on June 2, 1962 and the official dedication
of the building was held on September 17, 1962.
Pictures
from the John L. DeGrazier 50th Anniversary Gala CLICK
HERE
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