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Many Masons, residing in the eastern suburbs of the city, had found it difficult to attend meetings of their respective Lodges which met in the vicinity of downtown Cleveland. Several of these Brethren approached Right Worshipful Brother Joseph H. Silbert, who had served as District Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio from 1949 to 1952, and urged the creation of a new Lodge nearer the homes of the Brethren. Two hundred and thirty Masonic Brethren signed the Petition for Dispensation, which was approved by the Grand Lodge of Ohio, and on April 23, 1952, the dispensation for a new Lodge was presented to University Heights Lodge, U.D., at Forest Hill Lodge No. 644 F. & A.M., East Cleveland Masonic Temple, 1850 Belmore Road.
University Heights Lodge No. 738 F. & A.M., received its charter, was formally constituted, and installed its officers on November 11, 1952, in the Commandery Room of the Masonic Temple, 3615 Euclid Avenue, under the auspices of Forest City Lodge No. 388, F. & A.M. The Master of Ceremonies was Most Worshipful Brother William R. Pringle, 33°. The first Master of the new Lodge was Worshipful Brother. James C. Scott who also had served in this capacity when the Lodge had been under dispensation. While it is customary for the organizer of a new Masonic Lodge to serve as its first Master, Right Worshipful Brother Joseph H. Silbert declined this honor and the Brethren then elected him a Past Master by affiliation.
The first meeting place of the new Lodge was the University Heights Community Church, but the rapidly growing membership soon made larger quarters necessary. On November 15, 1952, the Lodge obtained an option to purchase three acres of land on Cedar Road.
The plans for the construction of a new Masonic Temple building received overwhelming support from the Brethren, and on April 25, 1954, the ceremony of the cornerstone laying was held. Grand Lodge officers and representatives of sister Lodges and many other Masonic bodies participated on this historic occasion. The time honored ceremony of formal dedication was performed on November 11, 1954.
Because of the zealous efforts of the building committee under the chairmanship of Right Worshipful Brother Joseph H. Silbert, the Lodge was able to retire and burn the mortgage two years after the dedication of the University Heights Masonic Temple.
The Brethren of University Heights Lodge have always fostered fraternal feelings for the Masonic Brethren throughout the world. On several occasions, University Heights Lodge had been host to Grand Masters of the Grand Lodge of Israel, Grand Masters of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, and visiting officers and Brethren from all parts of the world. In recognition of the efforts made on behalf of the Grand Lodge of Israel, honorary membership in the Grand Lodge of the State of Israel was bestowed upon Right Worshipful Brother Joseph H. Silbert, and upon Worshipful Brother Max M. Pomerantz. Right Worshipful Brother Joseph H. Silbert was appointed Ambassador to the Grand Lodge of Israel by the Grand Lodge of Ohio.
Right Worshipful Brother Joseph H. Silbert was again distinguished upon receiving the 33° at the 159th Annual Meeting of the Supreme Council Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in Philadelphia, on Wednesday, September 29, 1971. The 33° award is given for outstanding achievement in the fraternity or for significant contributions to the community, or both.
For 25 years University Heights Masonic Temple provided a home for our Lodge, three sister Lodges and two Eastern Star chapters. The loss of tenancy and rental income from two sister Lodges, coupled with increases in occupancy expenses, constantly fanned by the flames of inflation, presented a serious budgetary problem. With determination, solidarity of purpose and harmony, the difficult decision was made to sell our cherished Masonic Temple and invest as a partner and tenant in the Shaker Masonic Temple. Our sentiments, emotions and attachment to University Heights Masonic Temple yielded to the realities of sound financial judgment.
Once again, our Lodge imposed upon our founder, Right Worshipful Brother Joseph H. Silbert, 33°, the herculean task of securing a purchaser and completing the complicated negotiations for the sale of our Temple. In 1979, the sale of the Temple was consummated, after which our Lodge established residency in the Shaker Masonic Temple. Due to the tremendous effort of Right Worshipful Brother Joseph H. Silbert, 33°, all this was accomplished without incurring any real estate commissions or legal expense.
Today, University Heights Lodge No. 738, F. & A.M.. has grown to a membership of almost 340. Beginning from a modest treasury, the Lodge now has substantial assets and has provided cash reserves to meet foreseeable future needs.
In addition to Masonic labor, the Brethren have engaged in an extensive social program. The social calendar of the Lodge includes events such as a Children's Party, Musicale, Picnic, Steak Roast, Sports Night, and our gala Annual Dinner Dance. These traditional Masonic events have been augmented by the sponsorship of trips for our Brethren to locations such as New York, Miami Beach, Washington, and Toronto, as well as trips to the Cleveland Playhouse and Richfield Coliseum.
On October 16, 1982, Worshipful Brother. Edwin A. Strauss, Jr., brought another honor to our Lodge with his appointment as District Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio by Most Worshipful Brother Vernon E. Musser, 33°. The installation ceremony of Right Worshipful Brother Edwin A. Strauss, Jr., on October 26, 1982, with Right Worshipful Brother Joseph H. Silbert, 33°, as Installing Officer was witnessed by an overflow attendance of our Brethren, all of whom shared the pride of the appointment.
Once again honor was brought to University Heights Lodge by the appointment of Worshipful Brother Richard A. Fromson as District Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio by Most Worshipful Brother H. Ray Evans. Right Worshipful Brother Richard A. Fromson was installed as District Deputy Grand Master of the 22nd District on October 27, 1992 by Right Worshipful Brother Galyen, 33°. On January 14, 1993, the brethren and their ladies enjoyed an elegant evening of fine food and camaraderie in celebration of Right Worshipful Brother. Fromson's appointment.
In the fall of 1999, Shaker Masonic Temple was sold and it became necessary for University Heights Lodge to find a new home. Our Lodge became a tenant of Lyndhurst Masonic Center and our meeting nights were changed to the first and third Thursday of each month, except during the months of July and August.
Reacting to the constant changes in the lifestyles of the membership and a desire to reach out to the community at large, University Heights Lodge established a website on the Internet in the spring of 2000. Through it, members and nonmembers find information about our lodge and upcoming activities. It also serves as a means for membership to contact our officers and provide information about changes in their own lives.
Marking fifty years of growth, University Heights Lodge celebrated its golden anniversary during 2002. Events throughout the year marked the event, which culminated with the reconsecration of the lodge by the Grand Master of Masons in Ohio. The evening recognized the Charter Members who were instrumental in the formation of the lodge, and the work they have performed during the last fifty years.
Continuing his extensive and honorable Masonic career, Rt. Wor. Bro. Edwin A. Strauss, Jr. was coroneted with the distinguished 33° at the 192nd Annual Meeting of the Supreme Council Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Tuesday, September 21, 2004. The brethren and their ladies celebrated the event with a fine reception to formally honor Rt. Wor. and Ill. Brother Edwin A. Strauss, Jr., 33°.
Sustained by their faith in the Supreme Architect, the Brethren of University Heights Lodge have sought to apply the tools of their craft to the tenets of brotherly love, relief, and truth. In like manner, it is ever their hope to construct the future on the firm foundation of the past.
Harold S. Linden
Lodge Historian
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