History of Fervency Lodge No. 200
The story of Freemasonry in Point of Rocks, Frederick County, Maryland since 1898
The Charter Officers
- First Worshipful Master: William Q. Stauffer
- First Senior Warden: Benjamin F. Stauffer
- First Junior Warden: Thomas B. Johnson
- First Secretary: William H. Harrison
- First Treasurer: Charles W. Wright
- First Senior Deacon: Richard W. Trapnell
- First Junior Deacon: George A. Snouffer
- First Tyler: Charles M. Elliot
Chronological Record of Notable Events
- — Early Meetings: Met in Epworth Methodist Church.
- : Resolution to co-sign a $1,200 bank note; members pledged $2 per month to repay it in four years.
- : A.J. Colbert’s winning bid of $947 (plus extras) accepted.
- — The Temple: Lodge building completed at 3733 Clay Street.
- : First communication in the new hall; altar donated by Mystic Lodge No. 109, Baltimore.
- — First Anniversary: First anniversary banquet in the new hall.
- : Motion passed: "No Tobacco" on the Masonic floors.
- : Volunteers appointed to light lamps each month.
- : Four cuspidors purchased.
- — The Organ: Organ purchased for $150; installed by A.J. Colbert for $3.
- : Eighth-anniversary banquet cancelled due to disagreement over arrangements.
- : Acetylene gas lighting installed.
- : Grand Lecturer Graham Dukehart present for transfer of building from the Building Association to the lodge.
- : Furnace installed in basement ($200).
- — 10th Anniversary: Banquet held; hall decorated, tables for 100, Brunswick Lodge well represented.
- : Past Master W.F. Harrison made honorary member, exempt from dues.
- : Cornerstone laid for Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.
- : W.F. Harrison presented the only lifetime membership diploma ever issued by the lodge.
- — 20th Anniversary: Celebrated on lower floor.
- : Medals presented to Bros. E.L. Blessing and C.H. Conley for military service.
- — Electrification: $50 donated toward bringing electricity to town.
- : Began annual $10 donation for town street lights.
- — Mourning a President: Special communication for the death of President (and Brother) Warren G. Harding; altar draped for 30 days.
- : Band reminded to keep building clean.
- : Dues raised from $4 to $6 per year.
- : Large framed portrait of George Washington presented by Bro. Charles L. Blentlinger.
- : 37th anniversary celebration.
- — The Great Flood: Potomac floodwaters nearly reached second floor the night after William C. Wright received the Entered Apprentice degree; 1936 bridge washed out.
- : New bridge nearly completed.
- — Loss of Founder: Founding WM William Q. Stauffer buried in St. Paul’s Cemetery.
- : $20 donated to Red Cross.
- : $38 paid to Masonic War Relief.
- : $36 assessment paid for military activities.
- — Golden Anniversary: 50th anniversary celebration ($123.43 expense; cake by Bro. H.R. Mohler).
- : Lodge failed to close in peace and harmony due to argument between WM and Secretary Hine & Horn.
- : Secretary John R. Horn suffered heart attack during meeting.
- : Baseball team allowed to hold dance on lower floor (strict cleanup rules).
- : New oil burner installed ($125); Boy Scouts allowed dance.
- : Janitor Mrs. Mary Brown paid $25 for the year.
- — A Legacy: PM Lester E. Hine completed seventh consecutive year as Master—credited with saving the lodge.
- : 58th anniversary covered-dish supper; $23 donated to Adamstown Fire Co.
- : Visit by MWGM Arthur W. Dowell; of the three lodges chartered in 1898, only Fervency No. 200 survives.
- — The Great Snow: No meeting due to massive snowstorm; lodge members fed and sheltered ~200 stranded travelers.
- : 60th anniversary celebration on lower floor.
- : PM Lester E. Hine presented Masonic watch for 50 years of service.
- : Large letter "G" presented by Bro. Allen Harrison (son of charter Secretary W.F. Harrison).
- : High water from Hurricane Agnes.
- — Diamond Anniversary: 75th anniversary dinner at Kountry Kitchen; cake by Bro. Horace R. Mohler; Past Grand Master H.O. Schroder’s hat presented.
- : 105 yards blue carpet installed ($1,147).
- : Aluminum siding installed with interest-free loan from Bro. D.S. Null; total cost $3,550.
- : Brethren worked kitchen at Tuscarora Gun Club for several years to raise funds.
- — The Empty Chair: Death of PM Lester E. Hine—"without his duty this lodge would not exist today".
- : Bro. Arthur R. Emmons installed plumbing for future restroom (donated labor and materials).
- : Final payment on Null loan.
- : Additional plumbing donations completed (except main hookup).
- : WM Jerry A. Potts called to the Celestial Lodge mid-term.
- : New officer jewels presented in memory of PM W.R. Renn.
- : MWPGM William M. Koenig visited and spoke on "Masonry is not dying".
- — Modern Plumbing: After 84 years, running water and indoor restroom installed—first flush by PM Russell S. Brewer at 4:45 p.m.
- : Moment of silence for Pearl Harbor anniversary.
- : Deed updated with new trustees.
- : Bro. Ted A. Heflin thanked for donating over $6,000 for lower-floor renovation.
- : Richard W. Stone (son of PM Charles F. Stone) installed as WM—first father-son Masters.
- — Flood of ’85: Hurricane flood put 30 inches of water on first floor.
- : Official visit by MWGM C. David Haacke; PM Robert G. Tuck spoke on Point of Rocks and Maryland Masonry.
- : PM Charles F. Stone paid outstanding bill of $1,530.17.
- : Education grants and parades.
- : By special dispensation, meeting held in Epworth Methodist Church (original 1898 location) shortly before church closed forever.
- — Double Floods: Two major floods in one year (Jan & Sept).
- : Bat infestation removed ($2,500).
- : Junior Warden publicly apologized for the "chicken breast fiasco".
- — Renewal: Complete bathroom renovation by Brothers Joe Reckley, Andrew Orcutt, David Mohler, and Justin Highland.
Through fire and flood, war and peace, prosperity and hardship, the light kindled by eleven traveling men on May 10, 1898, continues to burn brightly at 3733 Clay Street—where rivers, rails, roads, and destinies still converge.