The History of Maceo Consolidated Lodge No. 124. Maceo (Gift of God)
William H. Gaskins, Most Worshipful Grand Master, in his annual address at the Thirty-First Annual Communication held in the City of Richmond, Virginia, December 12, 1906, made the following statement: "On June 20, 1906, I visited Williamsburg, Virginia and made at sight twenty-one (21) candidates to organize a lodge to be known
as Maceo Lodge U.D." Maceo Lodge U.D. was consecrated by Grand Master Harris Barnett on January 19, 1907, assisted by District Deputy Gnrda nd Master W. The Grand Secretary, Brother H. Harris, in his report to the 32 session stated that the warrant for Maceo Lodge # 124 was as follows:
Maceo Lodge # 124 meets in the Hall of the Samaritans of Williamsburg on the first and third Monday evenings of each month at 8:00 P.M. Officers: J. Cary, Worshipful Master, D. Boubon, Senior Warden, S. Vaughn, Junior Warden, W. Baker, Treasurer, J. Andrew, Secretary, W. Ross, Senior Deacon, L. Skinner, Junior Deacon, Robert Smith, Chaplain, J. P. Cary, Tiler. On November 16, 1953, Grove Lodge # 296 merged with Maceo Lodge # 124 and, soon after, they started making plans for our present temple. This was a tremendous task, but they were fortunate in that they lost very few members because of the high assessments imposed to take care of the building program. According to Brother Russell Bowman, who was a member of Maceo Consolidated Lodge and is still an active member. The monthly dues were $3.00 and were raised to $5.00 to help finance the cost of the new building. A bank loan was later obtained to complete the cost of the construction. During this period, the lodge was blessed to have many members who were businessmen, brick masons, carpenters, electricians, and other trades to help with the building of Maceo Lodge Hall. There were men as Brothers: McKinley T. Whiting, a local undertaker, and Worshipful Master, Samuel K. Harris, Herbert L. Cooke, Earl Henderson, Dudley Jones, Lisbon Gerst, Clarence Anderson, and many others. A two-story brick building at 700 South Henry Street was built with a large upstairs room that was used for lodge meetings and the downstairs that was rented out for income. During the time that the building was being constructed, the lodge held meetings in the Bruton Heights School and in the Dr. Blayton Building. Since 1953, the downstairs has been rented to churches, the Y. M. C. A., and other local groups to hold activities. In 1978, three lodges (James City Lodge #152 with WM. Charles Bowman, Beautiful
Temple Lodge #243 with WM. Joseph Banks and Maceo Lodge #124 with Wfyl. James Byrd) met to discuss consolidation. It was the consensus that one big lodge in the area was better than three small lodges. Therefore, on October 23, 1981, James City Lodge #152 and Maceo Lodge #124 agreed to merge and become Maceo Consolidated Lodge #124. James City Lodge #152 was organized in 1911 and held meetings in Chickahominy. The merger was completed under the administration of Most Worshipful Grand Master Robert E. Harris. Brother James Madison was the first Worshipful Master of the consolidated lodges. The last twenty-five years have seen Maceo Consolidated Lodge #124 grow numerically, ritualistically and become a more community-minded organization. The members have made extensive repairs to their lodge hall. They have placed new paneling on both the walls and the ceiling, new carpeting, new lodge furniture, new chairs, and a fresh coat of paint on the inside as well the outside of the lodge. An iron fire escape has been installed for the safety of the members. A new fence has been constructed between the properties. The lodge has not neglected its obligation to be involved in the community. The lodge attends some church every fifth Sunday. They participate in "Operation Santa Claus." Every Christmas, they visit two nursing homes, and bring gifts to the residents and sing Christmas Carols. Scholarships are awarded to deserving seniors. The Pride of Grove #181, Order of the Eastern Star, meets in the Masonic Hall Building each third Tuesday at 6:00 P.M. The Eastern Stars have been instrumental in helping to decorate the lodge hall with window dressings. We have come a long way. From Grove, from Chickahominy, and we have met here at 700 South Henry Street to form a strong Maceo Consolidated Lodge #124. The history of this lodge may be summed up with these words, coming together was our beginning, working together was our purpose, and staying together is Gods' Blessing that we share.
