Our Founding

A vision in Roslindale

Sometime prior to 1919, the idea of forming another Blue Lodge in the Roslindale District took shape in the heart and mind of Brother Dr. Lewis S. Breed. Dr. Breed — whose ancestors had lived under every U.S. president since Washington — had likely practiced dentistry longer than anyone else in the country, and was one of the best-known Masons in the District.

Realizing that Prospect Lodge was growing very large, knowing that Grand Lodge favored smaller lodges, and watching this temple — the apple of his eye — near completion, Dr. Breed sold the idea to a few of his good Masonic friends in Roslindale and West Roxbury. Through the winter of 1918 and into 1919, they met in his office and formulated plans for a new Lodge.

Chartered in 1919

In April 1919, a petition was made to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge for a dispensation, with every Lodge in the Boston District unanimously granting its consent. Considerable discussion was held over what to name the new Lodge — several names were suggested, but the brethren settled on “West Roxbury,” after the entire District, which in those days stretched from Roxbury to the Dedham line.

On June 3, 1919, the Lodge held its first formal meeting. Right Worshipful Walter S. Bagley, District Deputy Grand Master of the 25th Masonic District, presented the dispensation — dated May 1919 and signed by Most Worshipful Grand Master Leon M. Abbott. Sixty Charter members were present that day.

Constituted in 1920

March 19, 1920 was the great event in the history of West Roxbury Lodge. Having served their apprenticeship, the brethren met in Corinthian Hall at the Masonic Temple in Boston to be formally constituted.