Stephen Decatur Lodge #979

05/08/2025

04/29/2025

FISH FRY!!!!!!!!

12/24/2023

Merry Christmas to the friends, family, and Brethren of Stephen Decatur Masonic Lodge! Have a happy and safe Holiday Season!

08/02/2023

Bethel 49 Jobs Daughters Is selling mums as a fundraiser. Payment in advance is required and must be in by Aug. 20th. The mums can be picked up on Sept. 1st from Macon 8 Lodge. The mums are very nice and well worth it. Please consider purchasing. Any questions, please contact me at [email protected].

05/17/2023

A huge “welcome home” to Brother Mike Irwin who participated in the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight. A tip of the hat to the Ansar Legion of Honor for being present to welcome our brother and the brethren in arms home.

05/01/2023

The brethren of Blue Mound Lodge #682 and Stephan Decatur have come together to host a benefit dinner for one of our members. Please come if you are able.

04/13/2023

The first two Willie Snow Scholarship Awards have been presented, both young ladies are granddaughters of #979 members and we wish them well into the next phase of their academic careers. Thank you for applying.

01/10/2023

Born on January 5, 1779, in Worcester County, Maryland, Stephen Decatur was a U.S. naval officer who rose to prominence during the War of 1812. Aiming to dominate oceanic trade, the British Royal Navy infringed upon U.S. maritime trade and captured American sailors, forcing them to serve in the British Navy. On June 18, 1812, President James Madison signed a declaration of war against Britain, marking the beginning of the War of 1812. On October 25, in a battle lasting nearly two hours, Decatur’s ship, the USS United States, captured the British HMS Macedonian. This victory boosted American morale. The war eventually ended in a draw with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent on December 24, 1814.

Following Decatur’s triumph, the Commonwealth of Virginia presented him the sword pictured below. The blade was created by renowned Philadelphia bladesmith, William Rose Sr. (Philadelphia). The sword’s handle is ivory and gold topped with a cast eagle, silver gilded plate, and brass stripes on the edges, and engraved with silver lettering recording the date he captured the British “Macedonian.”

With the money he was awarded for his naval service in the War of 1812, Decatur and his wife, Susan, moved to Washington, D.C., in 1816 where their new home was designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe. The Decatur House was the first private residence built on Lafayette Square near the White House. Today, Decatur’s presentation sword is part of the collection at the historic Decatur House. The home is owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and operated by the White House Historical Association. Decatur House also serves as the David M. Rubenstein National Center for White House History, established in 2010 and named for David M. Rubenstein in 2011. The center supports our research efforts and provides educational programs related to the study and history of the White House.

Image: Decatur House Collection, White House Historical Association

11/09/2022

Stated meeting tonight. For dinner, we're serving chicken and noodles, with mashed potatoes, bread and butter, and cold drinks. All masons are welcome.