Lodge History
Copperas Cove, Texas, May 24th A.D.1884. A meeting of sundry brethren was held in the Hall room with Bro. H.S. Arnold acting as chairman. The object of the meeting was stated by the chairman, to organize a Masonic Lodge at this place under dispensation. A petition in proper from was presented and signed by the following brethren:
A.F. Hicks; W.J. Wilson; J.G. (Gip) Smith; W.T. Millsap; John Ellis; J.A. Smith; J.W. Bolton; S.W. Alexander; G.A. Brandon; H.S. Arnold; E. Moore; A.B. Gilliam; R.E. Boyett; R. Millsap; C.N. Carpenter; Lewis Linder; T. Moze; F.J. Mullen; R.L. Lindsey; W.H. Robinson; J.F. Baker The officers were instructed and authorized to meet with South Nolan Lodge No. 416 (Reference 5) at their next meeting and comply with the rules and regulations governing the Masonic Fraternity, and obtain a dispensation from the Grand Master to organize a lodge at Copperas Cove, Coryell County, Texas, under the name of Mount Hiram Lodge.
A special meeting of the brethren applying for a dispensation to form a lodge to be known as Mt. Hiram Lodge No. 595 was held in the Lodge Room at Copperas Cove in Coryell county, Texas, Thursday, October 3rd, A.D. 1884.
The Lodge was opened by Bro. Hicks, who stated that the object of the call was to meet the Right Worshipful Bro. Rose. On behalf of the Grand Lodge of Texas, Bro. Rose then read the commission from the Most Worshipful Master instruction him to set Mt Hiram Lodge No. 595 to work under dispensation.
The forty-ninth annual communication of the Grand Lodge of Texas met during December 1884. A portion of the proceedings reads: "Your committee No. 2 on Lodges under dispensation, have carefully examined the records and returns of the following lodges, and find them generally correct, slight irregularities having been explained, and we recommend that charters be granted the following lodges upon payment of dues and the usual fees, viz.: Mt Hiram Lodge…" The date on the ensuing charter, which presently hangs in the Lodge, is December 12, 1884.
The founding brethren of Mt. Hiram Lodge also share a distinct status within Texas Freemasonry. They number among the early lodges that held Eastern Star Lodges as founded by Dr. Rob Morris; beginning with the charter of the Grand Chapter of Texas in 1884, actions were initiated to terminate meeting of Eastern Star Lodges in favor of the organization stipulated by the General Grand Chapter.
THE FIRST LODGE BUILDING
Sometime prior to October 1883, Master Masons in the Five Hills area negotiated with a W.S. St.Clair for the use of a one-story building. He was represented by R. H. Gray, a member of Planters Lodge No. 147. It is not known how much the Lodge paid for the building, but in February 1887, the brethren accepted a proposal by Brother Gray to pay 166.59 together with interest accumulated since October 1, 1883. Records indicate that figure represented fifty percent of the amount due. Records indicated the indebtedness in W.S. St. Clair for the building was completed with final payment of $24.90 on August 24, 1887. However, in September of 1889, the Lodge voted to pay $35.00 to Brother Gray, which is listed as being the full amount due and outstanding. Accordingly, it appears that (the) total cost of the building must have exceeded $330.00. It is interesting to note that only the building was purchased from W.S. St. Clair because the land belonged to Bro. Jesse M. Clements.
The Lodge members then added a second floor. In addition to using the first floor for public school purposes, the Lodge became involved in open activities for the community. For example, the Lodge "sundry account" records for October 18, 1884, list bills totaling $100.35 that were allowed for payment. Records of the Treasurer further show that funds were made available through five of the Masonic brethren in loans totaling $161.00; they were Brothers Gip Smith, Henry Robinson, J.B. Bolton, R.E. Boyett and H.S. Arnold.
Those sundry accounts are also referred to in the minutes pertaining to a visit by the Right Worshipful A.J. Rose, Grand Senior Warden, Grand Lodge of Texas, on October 30, 1884. He represented the Most Worshipful Grand Master for purposes of inspection the Lodge room, furniture, clothing and jewels as well as for examining the three principal officers as to their knowledge of the work in conferring the three degrees. As indicated previously, he was satisfied.
They met for stated communications on the third Saturday of every month at 7:00 o'clock in the evening. This was changed to 6:00 o'clock on Saturday evenings on or after the fill moon as of February 1885. Other such changes followed, with the current time for stated meetings being set to begin at 7:30 o'clock P.M. the second Tuesday of each month.
THE SECOND LODGE BUILDING
Growth of the Lodge while at its first site appears usual and the work was very good. Twenty-seven good men were made Master Masons at an average time just under four months, with over half completing the degrees in near minimum time. An additional twenty-five affiliated during the same period. Migration from the area accounted for some losses, while some went to eternal rest at the side of the Supreme Architect of the Universe; those loses included thirteen charter members. Overall the membership increase by a net of sixteen members. Early hopes and dreams had been fulfilled and new members had brought in more for the future.
Conditions within the Lodge continued to improve with the growth. A new Sword was purchased from the Sword & Company for $87.75 through the efforts of Bro. R. E. Boyett. steward rods were made by Bro. Elias. Shelton at a cost of $3.40. Lumber was purchased from Bro. Eli Goodson's Lumber Yard for making improvements to the building. Bro. Jessie S. Clements had the lodge floor carpeted for $44.72. Refreshments were provided from the lunchroom operated by Sister Goodson.
Enrollment in the school was increasing. On September 3, 1892, school trustees introduced a discussion concerning an addition to that portion of the building used for school purposes. This was approved with the stipulation that it be erected to close off part of the northeast wall; this was ratified on October 1st, 1892. Then on May 19, 1894, the brethren decided to have a committee look into having the school system buy the building. Findings were favorable and consequently on June 16th a motion carried to appoint a committee and gave it authority to transact all necessary business toward erection a lodge room over a rock building in town; that building was a small store belonging to Jesse M. Clements that became the J.S. Clements & Bro. Mercantile Store.
THE THIRD LODGE BUILDING
Actions culminating in the erection of the third edifice must have been comparable to those that provided the two previous buildings, certainly they were equally successful and effective. discussions began on July 10, 1962. the first thing to do was start a building fund rather than designate funds for savings. In little over one year $1,578.95 in cash had be received, and another $5,695 had been pledged. Bro. Melvin and Sister Georgia Kielman donated 0.42 acres and a water drainage easement at the north east corner of First Street and Sherman(reference 17) Avenue.
In 1966 Triangle Engineers of Killeen came up with a design for the new building. Minutes reflect approval by the Lodge to pay $25.00 for that service. an estimate of $18,000 was placed on the costs. By then Father Time had introduced the infant 1967, and with it came the first construction proposal, which set the proposed cost at more than $7.72 per foot or $26,000 for a building with 3,365 square feet. On March 14, 1976, the Lodge applied to the then Most Worshipful Grand Master, Bro. J.D. Tomme, Jr., for permission to create an indebtedness of $15,000. While his response was very complimentary, it was straight to the point. The margin of safety as concerned the immediate financial posture of the Lodge was not sufficiently favorable, request denied.
On November 6, 1968, the Lodge received a proposal from the J.R. Dewald Construction Company offering to erect the building for a cost of $26,425,60. Subsequently the there was a review of the treasury and a statement was prepared showing a surplus of $1,252.76 for projected operational needs. Acting in response to a request from the Lodge, a Vice President of Killeen Savings and Loan, provided a letter advising that a loan for $10,000 had been approved. An application to create an indebtedness was submitted once again to Grand Lodge.
What may well have been viewed as a belated Christmas gift came in the form of a letter dated December 27, 1969, from the Most Worshipful J. Guy Smith. The request had his tentative approval subject to a more detail review by the Grand Lodge. Records of the Lodge reveal that many plaudits were due its members for their efforts along with donations of material and equipment by friends of the Lodge.
All efforts came together on June 4, 1970. The Lodge with the ever present support of the Eastern Star Chapter, families met at Halstead School for an inspiring program followed by refreshments. Afterwards they proceeded to the Lodge site where the Most worshipful Hal Burnett presided over the Leveling of the cornerstone and dedication ceremonies.
The sprit of this history does not end at that ceremony. There was still the matter of a mortgage valued at $10,000. as time progressed the national economy was pushing inflation to a very high rates causing both direct and indirect burdens on the financial posture of the Lodge. In an attempt to hedge on that inflation, the Worshipful Master appointed a committee on July 10, 1979, headed by the Junior Warden to raise sufficient funds to pay off the remaining value of the mortgage, which was $4,457. There is no better way to relate the manner in which the brethren responded than simply state that on March 31, 1981, twenty-two months later and eleven years after the dedication ceremonies, the mortgage had been paid. To jubilize the occasion the mortgage was burned at another appropriate ceremony. Thus consummated considerable efforts by the brethren together with many miles traveled in behalf of that third Lodge building with clear title.
Annual proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F. & A.M. record the continuing successful spirit of Mt. Hiram Lodge No. 595, to the current time. Thus brings to an end this historical review that attests to the success realized through the hopes and dreams of a better future shared by Master Masons since the beginning of Copperas Cove (reference 19). Those are the hopes and dreams that have existed as early as 1883 within the organization chartered on December 12, 1884, and known among Texas Masons as Mt. Hiram Lodge No. 595, A.F. & A.M. "well done thou good and faithful servants." Growth in membership led to the building of a new lodge facility located at 802 North First Street in 1970. This lodge continues to serve the local community.
Mt. Hiram Lodge No. 595, A.F. & A.M. - Mt. Hiram Lodge No. 595 was chartered on December 12, 1884. Lodge members shared their first facility, a two-story structure located near present-day downtown Copperas Cove, with a public school. In its early years the lodge participated in a local volunteer company of Minutemen and helped develop this area's economy. The lodge relocated in 1894 to Main Street and Ave. D, above the J. S. Clements & Bro. Mercantile Store. Growth in its membership led to the building of a new lodge facility at this site in 1970. This lodge continues to serve the local community.
