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This history is dedicated to Brother Harold Linden: Since the inception of University Heights Lodge in 1952, Brother Harold Linden had served our Lodge with unswerving passion first as our Lodge Secretary and then as the Lodge Treasurer, and in many other appointed Lodge committee positions including Lodge Historian. His expertise, dedication, and compassion will be missed. The following depiction of the history of our Lodge is based, in a large part, upon Brother Linden's meticulous notes.
The Early Years: Across the country, the early 1950's saw a migration of the inner city residents to the suburbs. Cleveland was no different as the population was rapidly shifting to the eastern suburbs. Now residing in these eastern suburbs, many Masons found it difficult to attend meetings of their respective Lodges that still met in the vicinity of downtown Cleveland. Several of these Brethren approached Right Worshipful Brother Joseph H. Silbert, who had served as a District Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio from 1949 to 1952, to urge the creation of a new Lodge closer to their homes.
So great was the need for relocation, that two hundred and thirty Masonic Brethren signed a Petition for Dispensation. This Petition 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.
The Charter: University Heights Lodge No. 738 F. & A.M. received its charter, was formally constituted, and installed its first elected officers on November 11, 1952, in the Commandery Room of the Cleveland Masonic Temple, 3615 Euclid Avenue, under the auspices of Forest City Lodge No. 388 F. & A.M. Most Worshipful Brother William R. Pringle, 33° presided as the Master of Ceremonies. James C. Scott, who had served as the Worshipful Master while the Lodge was under dispensation, became the first Master of University Heights Lodge No. 738 F. & A.M.
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.
University Heights Masonic Temple: The plans for the construction of a new Masonic Temple Building received overwhelming support from the Brethren, and on April 25, 1954, the cornerstone-laying ceremony was held. Grand Lodge officers and representatives of sister Lodges and other Masonic bodies participated on this historic occasion. The time-honored rite of formal dedication was performed on November 11, 1954.
Thanks to 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 just two years after the dedication of the University Heights Masonic Temple.
International in Character: Masonry is an international fraternal organization. The Brethren of University Heights Lodge have always fostered fraternal feelings and fealty for Masonic Brethren throughout the world. We have served as host on many occasions to the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, other Grand Lodge of Ohio Officers, and other visiting Officers and Brethren from all parts of the world. Indeed, on several occasions, University Heights Lodge had been host to Grand Masters of the Grand Lodge of the State of Israel. In recognition of the efforts made on behalf of the Grand Lodge of the State of Israel, honorary membership in that Grand Lodge was bestowed upon Right Worshipful Brother Joseph H. Silbert and upon Worshipful Brother Max M. Pomerantz. As an additional honor, the Grand Lodge of Ohio appointed Right Worshipful Brother Joseph H. Silbert Ambassador to the Grand Lodge of the State of Israel.
RWB Joseph H. Silbert receives 33°: 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 September 29, 1971. The 33° award is given for outstanding achievement in the fraternity or for significant contributions to the community, or both.
Sale of University Heights Masonic Temple: For 25 years the University Heights Masonic Temple, on Cedar Road west of Belvoir Boulevard, provided a home for our Lodge, three sister Lodges and two Eastern Star Chapters. Increases in occupancy expenses, coupled with the loss of tenancy and rental income from two sister Lodges, and 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, on Warrensville Center Road at Farnsleigh Road. Our sentiments, emotions and attachment to the 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°, and he rose to the Herculean tasks of securing a purchaser and completing the complicated negotiations for the sale of our Temple. In 1979, the sale of the Temple was consummated, and our Lodge then established residency in the Shaker Masonic Temple. Due to the tremendous effort of Right Worshipful Brother Joseph H. Silbert, 33°, this entire process was accomplished without incurring any real estate commissions or legal expense.
Edwin A. Strauss, Jr.: 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 Master 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. An evening celebration was held later at the Executive Club on Chagrin Boulevard.
Richard A. Fromson: Ten years later, on October 27, 1992, Worshipful Brother Richard A. Fromson brought another honor to University Heights Lodge with his appointment as District Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio by Most Worshipful Master H. Ray Evans. The Installing Officer was Right Worshipful Brother Thomas Galyen, 33°. On January 14, 1993, the Brethren and their ladies enjoyed an elegant evening of fine food and camaraderie at Executive Caterers at Landerhaven in celebration of Right Worshipful Brother Fromson's appointment.
Sale of Shaker Masonic Temple: Similar to the fiscal problems faced by our University Heights Masonic Temple twenty years earlier, the realities of economics brought financial difficulties to the Shaker Masonic Temple, and the building had to be sold in 1999. Again, University Heights Lodge had to find a new home. Our Lodge became a tenant of the Lyndhurst Masonic Center on Mayfield Road just west of Brainard Road. And our meeting nights were changed from every Tuesday to the first and third Thursday of each month.
The Rise of the Internet: Reacting to the constant changes in the lifestyles of the membership, and with a desire to reach out to the community at large, University Heights Lodge, in the spring of 2000, established a website, www.uhlodge.org. This award-winning website enables members, and nonmembers, to learn information about our Lodge and upcoming activities. It even boasts a compilation of The Rays, the University Heights Lodge newsletter, dating back to 1952! The website also serves as a means for the membership to contact our officers. Use of the Internet additionally allows for fast and efficient email communication to our membership.
Golden Anniversary: Marking fifty years of success, University Heights Lodge celebrated its golden anniversary during 2002. Programs throughout the year marked the event. The year culminated with the reconsecration of the Lodge by Most Worshipful Master Thomas Eldon Reynolds, 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 had performed throughout the prior fifty years.
Edwin A. Strauss, Jr., Distinguished 33°: Continuing his extensive and honorable Masonic career, Right Worshipful Brother 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.
Bicentennial Program: In 2008, the Grand Lodge of Ohio celebrated its two hundredth anniversary. University Heights Lodge was one of only a handful of Lodges across the state to host a presentation of artifacts and historical references to the founding of Ohio Masonry.
Extensive Social Program: In addition to Masonic labor, the Brethren have engaged in an extensive social program. Our traditional programs include the Children's Party, Summer Picnic, Steak Roast, Mason of the Year, and our annual gala Dinner Dance. Fond memories of Euclid Beach, Geauga Lake, Sea World, Chuck E. Cheese and Pioneer Waterland will linger forever. Throughout the years these events have been augmented with Musicales at the old Front Row and Carousel Theaters, Sport Nights, trips to Cleveland Playhouse Square, Cleveland Arena, Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Richfield Coliseum, Quicken Loan Arena (formerly Gund Arena), and Progressive Field (formerly Jacobs Field). We have also had show trips for our Brethren to New York, Miami Beach, Washington DC, and Toronto.
The Importance of Family: Fathers and sons, brothers, uncles, nephews, and cousins have all been active Brethren of the Fellowcraft Team and the various Lodge committees. We thank them for their dedication to the Craft. This commitment of our Brethren has allowed University Heights Lodge No. 738 F. & A.M. to be known as "the finest among the best."
University Heights Lodge No. 738 F. & A.M. has been built on strong family relationships. The list of the officers of our Lodge reads like a family tree, with many of our Past Masters having followed the lead of other family members. Indeed, during the first fifty years of our Lodge's existence, twenty-six years saw a Worshipful Master who was related to another Officer of the Lodge. This continuity has given our Lodge much stability and strength, and has been a significant factor in our success.
Fiscal Guidelines: Today, University Heights Lodge No. 738, F. & A.M. has continued to prosper, and notwithstanding the passage of time and normal attrition, our Lodge membership continues to grow. Beginning from a modest treasury, and now bolstered with the proceeds from the sale of the Cedar Road Temple, the Lodge has substantial assets and cash reserves to meet foreseeable future needs. Fiscal guidelines initiated by Brother Harold Linden have kept, and will continue to keep, University Heights Lodge in good stead.
A Firm Foundation: 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.
Jeffrey E. Schultz, PM
Lodge Historian
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