Insightful Look at Our Lodge’s Milestones

A BRIEF HISTORY OF COVENANT LODGE No. 473

If one considers the primary modes of transportation in 1870 and the weather that would be expected from fall through spring in northwestern Pennsylvania, it’s not hard to figure out why the masonic brothers from the local area would desire to have a lodge of their own.

In February 1870, eight members of Oasis Lodge No. 416, in nearby Edinboro, petitioned The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania for a charter for a Lodge to be located in Cambridgeboro. The charter was granted and on July 19, 1870, Covenant Lodge No. 473 was constituted. The twelve total charter members were all made Master Masons in other Lodges. Eleven of them were from Oasis and one from Grand Rapids Lodge No. 289, Ohio. The total membership for that year was twenty-one. The membership was made up of farmers, blacksmiths, merchants, teachers, druggists, and a Doctor of Medicine. The Lodge was located on the second floor of the Grange Co-operative grocery store owned by J. L. Kelly. This building was located on the northwest corner of Main and McClellan Streets. The rent was $100 per year.

The membership increased slowly in the first years but as the town prospered, so did the Lodge. By the early 1880’s the members were becoming dissatisfied with the location and condition of the Lodge building. They also desired to relocate to a more central location. In 1889 the Lodge purchased a lot on the east side of South Main Street in the heart of the business district and a two story brick building was erected. The first meeting held in the new Masonic Hall was on November 8, 1889.

On April 1, 1897 the Masonic Hall was destroyed by fire along with most of the business district on both sides of the street. It was a total loss, nothing saved but the charter and records. The Grange Hall located on Venango Avenue was used for meetings and the members immediately went to work securing funds and plans to build a new building. Just over one year after the fire, on July 22, 1898, the first meeting was held in the new building. The same building that exists at the present time.

The Lodge and the town flourished until the 1930’s when the Depression and the decline of the tourist business caused membership to fall from 150 to 113. Then after World War II, membership increased to a high around 200 at the time of the 100^th Anniversary. But, as times change, so do the needs of the people and there are so many who think they don’t have time for organizations like Freemasonry.

Today membership is only 74 but the legacy continues and the hard work and dedication of those who have come before us has not been forgotten. We will continue to promote the tenets of Freemasonry for years to come.

Footnote: Most of the information contained herein was taken from research by Warren “Bud” Goodge who was Worshipful Master at the time of the 100^th Anniversary in 1970.

F. Philip Right

February 6, 2011

Edited March 18, 2024

1870: Covenant Lodge constituted, July 19, 1870

1889: Purchased lot on Main Street from George & Mary Faber for $1000, May 2, 1889

1889: First meeting in new building, November 8, 1889

1897: Fire destroys building, April 1, 1897

1898: First meeting in new building, July 22, 1898