Insightful Look at Our Lodge’s Milestones

A Brief History of Masonry in Titusville

Oil Creek Lodge No. 303 was constituted on December 22, 1856, and held their meetings in a three-story building located at the south-east corner of Franklin and Central Avenue.  The first floor was occupied by J.C. Penney store and a small pharmacy.

Shepherd Lodge No. 463 was constituted April 7, 1870, and held their meetings in three-story building at 218 W. Central Avenue.  The first floor was occupied by a furniture store and a small office.

On December 29, 1933, Oil Creek’s building was totally destroyed by fire.  Shepherd Lodge by unanimous resolution cordially invited Oil Creek Lodge, the York Rite Bodies and the Order of Eastern Star to share their facilities until a permanent facility could be arranged.  Oil Creek Lodge met in Shepherd Hall for the entire years of 1934, 35, 36, and 37 when the officers and members of both Lodges decided to merge and apparently decided the most equitable course was to surrender the warrants of both lodges and constitute a new Lodge.  It should be noted that Shepherd Lodge was not in very sound financial condition, as a matter of fact they had a mortgage for several years on which they had only been able to pay the interest.

Titusville Lodge #754 was constituted on October 15, 1937, with 249 charter members, the last whom passed away in 2003.

On January 1, 1938, the Titusville Temple Association, the owner of the Oil Creek property, offered to purchase the assets of the Shepherd Hall Association for the sum of $10.00 and pay off the $11,600 mortgage.

Titusville Lodge #754 held their first stated meeting on January 16, 1938, in the building at 218 West Central Avenue, now owned by the Titusville Temple Association, which was comprised of the entire membership of Lodge 754.  The Lodge continued to meet at that location until 1987, when because of needed major repairs, sold that building and purchased the present building from the Titusville Women’s’ Club.  The former Oil Creek property is now a privately owned parking lot.  The Shepherd building is now occupied by Love in the Name of Christ, Love Inc., a Christian-run facility helping those in need, and a small travel agent office.