Pythagoras Lodge 383 celebrates 150th anniversary
August 16, 2023
Member of Pythagoras Lodge 383 gathered last Saturday to celebrate the hall's 150th anniversary in Cassville.
Photo and Story by Adriana Keeton, [email protected] with contributions from Junior Warden Brother Ken Lingle
The Pythagoras Lodge 383 celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2022, but due to scheduling conflicts, it could only commence last Saturday, August 12. Members of the community were invited to join the fraternal brotherhood in celebration.
Though the Masonry came to Barry County initially in May of 1852, the then Barry Lodge 130 was short-lived as its charter was removed three years later. The John Dade Lodge 144 succeeded the Barry Lodge in 1855 and was destroyed during the Civil War in 1861.
On April 3, 1871, District Deputy Grand Master Brother W.S. Street came to Cassville and set up Pythagoras Lodge, where it worked under dispensation until it was granted a charter to become Pythagoras Lodge 383 on October 16, 1872.
The first communication of the Pythagoras was held on November 14 of the same year with District Deputy Grand Master (D.D.G.M.) Brother James Robinson presiding. The following officers were elected at the time: Worshipful Master (W.M.) Charles S. Bryan, Senior Warden (S.W.) John Ray, Junior Warden (J.W.) William Noel, Southern Deacon (S.D.) M. Horine, Junior Deacon (J.D.) J.B.W. Bennington, Treasurer W.G. Townsend, Secretary R.R. McGuire, and J.W. Hawk Tyler. The fraternity was housed on the southeast corner of the Cassville Square. The frame building burned down on April 18, 1893, and was rebuilt immediately after, and the first meeting was held in the new building on November 18, 1893, and was in use for the next 96 years.
On April 17, 1984, the brethren voted to sell the building and build a new hall away from the Cassville Square, and in March of 1986, the land of the current hall located on the corner of Bus. Rt. 37 and 18th Street was purchased, and plans for the new building were submitted to the Grand Lodge for approval. Approval was granted in September 1986.
The Corner Stone for the hall was laid on November 1986 in a ceremony conducted by Grand Master of Masons of Missouri M.W. Brother P. Vincent Kinkead. Construction began, and the new lodge hall was ready for official dedication on June 11, 1989, where a ceremony for the lodge was communicated.
There are currently 25 members, with the following serving as officers: Larry Neukirch, D.D.G.M.; David Aurenheimer, W.M.; Ken Latschar, S.W.; Ken Lingle; J.W.; Dan Thilbrick, S.D.; and Tim Worley, J.D.
Anyone interested in learning about Pythagoras Lodge 383 or inquiry of membership may contact Secretary Andrew Hoskins at 417-459-9670.
The Pythagoras Lodge 383 celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2022, but due to scheduling conflicts, it could only commence last Saturday, August 12. Members of the community were invited to join the fraternal brotherhood in celebration.
Though the Masonry came to Barry County initially in May of 1852, the then Barry Lodge 130 was short-lived as its charter was removed three years later. The John Dade Lodge 144 succeeded the Barry Lodge in 1855 and was destroyed during the Civil War in 1861.
On April 3, 1871, District Deputy Grand Master Brother W.S. Street came to Cassville and set up Pythagoras Lodge, where it worked under dispensation until it was granted a charter to become Pythagoras Lodge 383 on October 16, 1872.
The first communication of the Pythagoras was held on November 14 of the same year with District Deputy Grand Master (D.D.G.M.) Brother James Robinson presiding. The following officers were elected at the time: Worshipful Master (W.M.) Charles S. Bryan, Senior Warden (S.W.) John Ray, Junior Warden (J.W.) William Noel, Southern Deacon (S.D.) M. Horine, Junior Deacon (J.D.) J.B.W. Bennington, Treasurer W.G. Townsend, Secretary R.R. McGuire, and J.W. Hawk Tyler. The fraternity was housed on the southeast corner of the Cassville Square. The frame building burned down on April 18, 1893, and was rebuilt immediately after, and the first meeting was held in the new building on November 18, 1893, and was in use for the next 96 years.
On April 17, 1984, the brethren voted to sell the building and build a new hall away from the Cassville Square, and in March of 1986, the land of the current hall located on the corner of Bus. Rt. 37 and 18th Street was purchased, and plans for the new building were submitted to the Grand Lodge for approval. Approval was granted in September 1986.
The Corner Stone for the hall was laid on November 1986 in a ceremony conducted by Grand Master of Masons of Missouri M.W. Brother P. Vincent Kinkead. Construction began, and the new lodge hall was ready for official dedication on June 11, 1989, where a ceremony for the lodge was communicated.
There are currently 25 members, with the following serving as officers: Larry Neukirch, D.D.G.M.; David Aurenheimer, W.M.; Ken Latschar, S.W.; Ken Lingle; J.W.; Dan Thilbrick, S.D.; and Tim Worley, J.D.
Anyone interested in learning about Pythagoras Lodge 383 or inquiry of membership may contact Secretary Andrew Hoskins at 417-459-9670.
