Worshipful George P. On October 26, 1961, the Grand Master of Masons in Virginia granted a dispensation. Right Worshipful Benjamin L. D. Leigh, Jr. Parkerson, Jr. C.
of Corinthian Lodge No. 266, was elected as moderator to preside over the meeting and after much discussion a high degree of enthusiasm prevailed and a second meeting was scheduled for June 16, 1961. The Lodges of Masonic District No. 36 were approached and in all cases the Lodges of this district unanimously approved support of the petition to form a Masonic Lodge, and a prayerful request for dispensation was submitted to the Grand Lodge of Virginia. Ferrell, District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District No. 36 presented this dispensation and Bayside Lodge U. entertained its first two petitions for degrees. The first elected officers were:
George P. Worshipful Master
Corinthian Lodge No. 266
Herbert L. Smith
Senior Warden
Atlantic Lodge No. 2
James H. Junior Warden
Norview Lodge No. 113
Much assistance was received from the Lodges in the area, particularly from Corinthian Lodge No. 266, who gave the Lodge its first officer’s aprons, jewels and working tools. The jewels had a particular significance, having been hand made by Naval Trainees of the Advance
Base Aviation Training Unit at the Overhaul and Repair Department of the Norfolk Naval Air Station. This courageous group of trainees later were shipped out in late 1943 and all were killed in a landing at a Pacific Island, needless to say Bayside Lodge treasures these jewels. Sixtyone members, representing thirtyone Lodges from nine states, reaching from Alaska to Texas, signed the request for dispensation. Following the receipt of the dispensation, Bayside Lodge raised its first candidate on March 15, 1962. At the Grand Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Virginia on February 14, 1962, a charter was presented by Most Worshipful E. Glover, Jr., proclaiming Bayside Lodge No. 218. The Lodge was dedicated, and instituted on March 17, 1962, by Most Worshipful Edward H. Cann, Grand Master of Masons in Virginia. On March 29, 1963, Right Worshipful Jesse Albert White, Grand Junior Deacon of the Grand Lodge of Virginia was elected as the first Honorary member of this Lodge. In 1964 it became obvious that the quarters above Overtons Store were beginning to become inadequate and it was realized that new accommodations would be required. After much searching and consideration, the Lodge purchased approximately six acres of land on Independence Boulevard and launched plans to raise funds to build a temple. Later, one half of the land was sold to Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, the balance retained for construction of the Bayside Masonic temple. Ground was broken for the new temple on September 24, 1967. Construction began in earnest with the Senior Warden, Rubin I. Hedspeth, serving as General Contractor for the construction of the temple. The bylaws were changed to raise the dues to $45.00 per year on October 26, 1967, in order to have adequate funds to complete the building. A construction loan of $75,000 was negotiated with First & Merchants National Bank. Work progressed on schedule and the General Contractor, Rubin I. Hedspeth, was elected Worshipful Master to preside in the new Masonic temple. On the cold, windy, snowy afternoon of January 6, 1968, the cornerstone was laid with Right Worshipful Jesse Albert White, Deputy Grand Master of The Grand Lodge of Virginia presiding. On April 4, 1968, the Lodge held its first communication in the
new temple. Bayside Lodge has always been a Lodge long on the stressing of fellowship, enjoying fraternal visits with Hillman Lodge of Youngstown, Ohio for many years and always taking the opportunity to exchange visits with the Lodges in the area. In April 1975 the Social Hall was named the Jesse A. White Memorial Hall in memory of Most Worshipful Jesse A. White. At a stated communication held on May 5, 1988, Worshipful Marvin R. Beacham, assisted by Most Worshipful Glover Hunter Jones, Jr., Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, burned the mortgage on the building, heralding the satisfactory retirement of the loan and at the same time signifying the dedication of the membership of Bayside Lodge to the continued growth in Masonry.
