Its early members were pioneer settlers of Morgan County and those who laid out and founded the city of Decatur. As war veterans, planters, builders, legislators, county officials, doctors, ministers, lawyers, bankers, railroad and business men, they figured in practically every important development during the first quarter to half century of the county’s history. In 1873, a lodge was built on th
e northwest corner of Bank and Pond Streets and meetings were held. A Masonic Hall was built in 1834, the lower floor being used for church and school purposes. It is very probable that a pre-Civil War glimpse of the actual building Rising Sun Lodge occupied is visible on one or both lithograph drawings displayed on our website: www.risingsun29.org/about.html
Rising Sun Lodge was destroyed November 25, 1864 by Federal troops during the Civil War. Afterwards, meetings were held in several different places, most likely ranging from individual members homes, to other buildings as they became available. In 1873, a lodge was built on the northwest corner of Bank and Pond Streets and meetings were held there until 1876, when that building caught fire and burned to the ground. Rising Sun Lodge then moved to a two-story building on the corner of Bank and Market Streets. This building was closer to the river, and served as Rising Sun’s designated Lodge for several years. In 1890, the Grand Lodge of Alabama issued a dispensation for another Lodge, naming it New Decatur Lodge No. 491. On September 12, 1907, The Grand Lodge of Alabama issued a dispensation for Austinville Lodge No. 679 and it was chartered on December 8, 1907. The charter was forfeited in 1933. In 1916, New Decatur was renamed to Albany, respectively changing the Lodge name to Albany Lodge No. 491. Meeting minutes from Albany Lodge reveal that the three lodges regularly participated in courtesy degree work. In 1917, Rising Sun’s building caught fire, and burned once again. From there, the Lodge moved into the Knights of Pythias Building, which was located between Church and Wilson Streets. In 1934, Rising Sun moved to the Masonic Temple, formerly the Cotaco Opera House, on Johnston Street owned by Albany Lodge No. 491. The Cotaco Opera House was the first Opera House built in Alabama and in 1986 was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. On May 3rd, 1935, Albany Lodge and Rising Sun Lodge were consolidated and, upon agreement, were fully chartered as the original Rising Sun Lodge No. 29. Rising Sun Lodge met there until moving to its current location on the corner of Bank and Walnut Streets. Rising Sun Lodge has recovered from being destroyed by the “enemy” during the Civil War. It has held meetings in at least 8 different locations since, twice burning to the ground losing its charter, jewels and furniture. It has survived two major epidemics of Yellow Fever in 1878 and again in 1888 that claimed the lives of its members. During the 19th, 20th and in the 21st centuries, we’ve had officers and members who have defended our culture, our freedoms and our lives; some having returned home maimed physically and mentally and others who failed to return home at all, having paid the ultimate sacrifice in faithful discharge of their sworn duty or Hippocratic Oath - all Heroes. It’s the internal and not the external qualities that make a Rising Sun Lodge No. 29 member. We are very proud of our Grand Lodge linage which includes our Past Masters, Honorable MWPGM James McGinnis Brundidge and present RWSGW Brother John Strickling. As 1 of 18 nationwide recipients, Rising Sun Lodge No. 29 was awarded the 2011 Masonic Service Association of North America’s Mark Twain Award for Masonic awareness in the Lodge and in the community. In 2012, this prestigious award was again bestowed upon RSL29 for the second consecutive year. In 2012, our website had over 28,000 visitors and received three awards. Please visit us online at:
www.RisingSun29.org
