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This history is set in the context of Louisiana history.
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The first known Masonic Lodge in Louisiana, Perfect Union #29, chartered. Before this date, Freemasons had been involved in plots for independance from Spain.
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Lodge granted a charter by the Grand Orient of France.
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The Treaty of San Ildefonso secretly cedes Louisiana to Napoleon Bonaparte.
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During the administration of Thomas Jefferson, Louisiana is purchased by the United States.
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On June 20, 1812, the Grand Lodge of Louisiana was constituted with a membership close to 1,000.
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In March 1835, five Master Masons met beneath an oak tree in Brazoria, Texas and petitioned Grand Master John H. Holland of Louisiana for a charter to form a lodge in Texas. By the end of 1837, three lodges had been chartered in Texas by the Grand Lodge of Louisiana.
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The attack on Fort Sumter officially begins the American Civil War.
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the Civil War officially ends at Appomattox Courthouse in South Carolina.
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A group of Masons residing in Covington, Louisiana petition the Grand Lodge for dispensation to form a Lodge through Mount Moriah Lodge #59 in New Orleans, LA. All members were reportedly Confederate veterans.
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Presided by Bro. J.W. Anderson, WM of Mount Moriah Lodge. Officers:
WM: Robert F. Clute, Rector of Christ Episcolpal Church.
SW: James M. Thompson, lawyer
JW: Henry F. Spring, farmer
Secretary: William B. Hosmer
SD: James M. Ford
JD: W.H.R. Hangen
Tyler: Charles Heintz.
3 petitions recieved. Meetings fixed at the first Saturday of each month at 4pm. -
Official chartered granted by the Grand Lodge of Louisiana. Lodge located next door to Mrs. Sterling's boarding house.
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Covington #188 is consecrated at a regular stated communication "by candlelight." The Grand Master of Louisiana presides. The Lodge has 18 members, including W.B. Hosmer, member of Rising Glory Lodge #215 in Osyka, Mississippi. Other Masons were members of Franklinton Lodge #101 and Livingston Lodge #160.
Officers elected:
WM: Robert F. Clute
SW: James M. Thompson
JW: Fenelon B. Martindale
Secretary: Alonzo Givens
Treasurer: Charles Heintz
SD: J.M. Ford
JD: W.H.R. Hangen
Tyler: John Theobold -
Property purchased from Mrs. Emma Afroux - Lot 4 in Square 7, Division of St. John, town of Covington, on the south side of and adjacent to the lot on which the present temple is now located.
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Altar donated by Bro. Robert Badon in memory of his father. The Burns brothers also donated 100 arm chairs, dates unknown.
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A fire, originating on the corner of Columbia or Boston Streets, destroys all buildings from that intersection to the Bogue Falaya River. The Lodge is also destroyed.
The Lodge rents the second floor of a building on the corner of Columbia and Boston from Mr. P.J. Lacroix -
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A large hurricane destroys parts of Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. The roof was severly damaged, allowing records to be destroyed by rain. The roof was repaired immediately.
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The fire occurred in the morning. The Presbyterian Church offers Sunday School rooms for a meeting place. New construction is planned immediately for a brick temple.
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Covington Lodge purchases two more lots from the St. Tammany Light and Ice Manufacturing Company in the Spring of 1924. By this act, it becomes owner of all property from its original site to Rutland Street. Most of the property is kept vacant to protect it from fire.
The property was secured by a mortgage in favor of Covington Bank and Trust Company. -
A new brick structure is completed at a cost of $40,000 and has been continuously occupied ever since.
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The stock market crashes, which forces liquidation of Covington Bank and Trust. To make payments, the Lodge rents the ground floor to the Welfare Department.
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A small group of Lodge members donates fund to pay the total indebtedness of Covington Lodge. It has remained debt free ever since.
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The lodge was restored, painted, and the Bob White Memorial Library is created.
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The roof is damaged by Category 5 Hurricane Katrina, but the efforts of Bro. Bob Gilhaus and others quickly repaired the damage through the Lodge's own funds.
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The first floor banquet hall is renovated to include new wooden floors, stucco repair, and a handicapped-accessible restroom.
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Plans begin to renovate the Bob White memorial library, replacing termite-damaged wood on the first and second floors, and updating the anteroom.