The Masonic Lodge in Manchester has a pretty good history, 150 years’ worth of history. The Manchester Lodge Number 165 celebrated its 150th anniversary of Masonry in Manchester, Iowa last June. There are not too many organizations that can claim that kind of longevity. Many of our forefathers, such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin were Masons, as have been many of our nations’ President
s and other important and notable people in our country, in Iowa, and in the history of Manchester and Delaware County. When you list men of character in our country, our state and our community, chances are that you will find several Masons among them. Locally, Manchester Lodge has been located in the Masonic Building on South Franklin Street on the second floor above the long time location of Don’s Hardware. The Lodge recently sold the Masonic Building to young entrepreneurs who will soon be opening a microbrewery on the street level where Don’s Hardware had been located. Don has relocated his hardware and appliance business to the former Hallmark building about a block north. The original entry in the abstract of the Masonic building was July 6, 1850. It must have been a magnificent time in Manchester, as many of the buildings we still see on Franklin and Main streets were just built or being built around that time. The first warranty deed recorded from Steiner and Hellen Evenson was in 1852 to Allen Love for $650. The first entries are in reference to the town of Burrington, the first name of the Manchester community. The name was later changed, as Railroad officials thought the name was too similar to the larger community of Burlington, also in Eastern Iowa. By the time the entries were made in 1857, the community references had changed to the town of Manchester. The entry dated June 30, 1879, states “… for the consideration of the sum of one dollar to (Charles and Mary Paxson and WH Seeds) in hand by Manchester Lodge No 165 of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Manchester Delaware County Iowa, … do herby sell grant and convey said Manchester Lodge No 165 AF&AM the right to erect, maintain, occupy and to permit others to occupy and use a building on and above the first story of the brick buildings now being and about to be built by them … on the corner of Franklin and Delaware Streets in Manchester Delaware County Iowa. At this point, the Masons in Manchester added the second floor to the existing building, crowning the new structure with the cornice which includes the Masonic symbols of the square and compass still proudly atop the large building. An entry dated November 2nd 1950 states that the estate of Margaret Seeds sold, by order of the aforesaid’s will, the real estate and interests in the Masonic Building to the Building Committee of Manchester Lodge No 165 AF&AM for the sum of $8,100, consisting of the first story and basement of two mercantile buildings located at 116 to 120 South Franklin Streets in Manchester, making the lodge the owner of the entire property at that point. Manchester Lodge No 165 continues to occupy this space, but late in 2012, the Lodge sold the Masonic building to new owners. As a part of the sale agreement, the Masons will continue to occupy this space for up to another five years. The members of the Manchester Masonic Lodge will begin planning to relocate the Lodge location in the coming months. The Lodge members hope to relocate to a street level building in Manchester which would provide more convenient access for meetings and events. The new building owners have indicated that they will not change the cornice of the Masonic Building, keeping the origins and heritage of the building intact. We Masons are proud of our Masonic heritage. The Masonic Lodges in Iowa were first organized in 1844, two years before Iowa was admitted into the Union. Freemasonry itself dates back to its formal beginnings in the 17th Century, documenting that Masonry is the oldest and most prestigious fraternity in Iowa, and possibly in the entire world. On June 3, 2013, Manchester Lodge No. 165 will celebrate its 150th Anniversary in Manchester, making the Manchester Masonic Lodge one of the longest continually operating organizations in Manchester. There were many Masons among the vanguard of pioneers that came to the Iowa Territory in the early 1840’s. They came in wagons and on boats, settled along the Mississippi, and staked their claims. Some of them were farmers, but there were also merchants, teachers, businessmen, miners, lawyers, and politicians, all of them anxious and excited about the opportunities that awaited them in the “heartland” — Iowa — “the beautiful land” as the Indians called it. Masons are leaders in their communities, places of worship, schools, businesses, and civic organizations. Masons are men of honor, of integrity, of compassion. Masons believe in brotherly love, relief, and truth. If you are interested in finding out more about Masonry, please contact the
