Masons leaves downtown Muskegon after 150 years

MUSKEGON, Mich. (AP) - The Masons have left downtown Muskegon after 150 years and are now meeting in Montague as they explore future options.

The Muskegon Masonic Lodge 140 was founded in 1863 by lumber company owner Alexander V. Mann. Members met downtown until late last year when their building was sold. Its 140 members now meet at the Montague-Whitehall Masonic Temple, according to The Muskegon Chronicle ( https://bit.ly/1ek42Hw ).

“It is sad that we have to face the situation that the building is more expensive than we can afford,” former Lodge 140 Secretary Roger Tharp told the newspaper. “We are not consolidating with Montague, just using their building.”

Tharp said members hope to return their meetings to Muskegon.

The new owner of the building is Jon Rooks and Parkland Properties, which may lease the building for commercial and office use or turn it into an event center.

Lodge 140 was chartered in 1863 with Mann as its first worshipful master and 100 members. The first lodge was a small room above a drug store. The first temple in Muskegon was built in 1900 and used until 1937. The most recent temple was built post-World War II.

Members have included some of Muskegon’s most influential community leaders.

“A lot of the streets in Muskegon have been named after Masons,” Tharp said.

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Information from: The Muskegon Chronicle, https://www.mlive.com/muskegon