by William A. Jordan, P.M.
Prior to the year 1906, there was but one Masonic Lodge in Wilkinsburg, that being Orient Lodge No. 590, a splendid Lodge whose membership included many fine, upstanding, zealous, and faithful members of the Craft. The membership in this lodge had grown so large that many of the Brethren determined it would be a wise and proper move to organize a new lodge, composed of many of the members of Orient No. 590, and also of Brethren from lodges in surrounding territory. Thereafter these two lodges could work side by side in harmony, and in the advancement of the welfare of the Craft. This was done, and Orient Lodge No. 590 sponsored the new lodge then in formation, and presented it with the necessary charter fees and other gifts of needed and acceptable character.
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The name chosen for the new lodge was the Greek letter BETA; this being the second letter of the Greek alphabet and the new lodge being the second lodge in the Borough, this designation was deemed appropriate. The petition to the Grand Lodge for the Charter for this new lodge was signed by 81 members of the Craft, was presented to Grand Lodge and approved and an October 9. 1906, the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania held a special communication at Wilkinsburg for the constitution.
At this communication the following Brethren were installed as Officers in ancient form: Harry W. Mcintosh, Worshipful Master; Joseph W. Cottrell. Senior Wardenj Robert L. Collingwood. Junior Warden; Charles W. Walmer, Treasurer; and Jesse G. Roberts, Secretary.
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On October 15, 1906, at its first meeting, one week after the constitution, Beta Lodge No. 647 got down to good hard work with 44 members and 29 visitors present.The place of meeting was the top fioor of a six-story building at 733 Penn Avenue, Wilkinsburg. The means of access to the lodge room were two; (1) a wooden elevator about five feet square. which was operated by someone in the elevator pulling on a rope which started the machinery either up or down, whichever direction the passenger was going; (2) a winding wooden stairway which wound around in a spiral behind the wooden elevator. Had the building caught fire; one wonders what would have been the result. There was an iron fire escape at the end of the building in which was located the station of the Worshipful Master.
In addition, there was a feed store, with horse and wagon accompaniment, on the first floor; and especially in damp weather, warm weather, and muggy weather, the top floor was well impregnated with the odor one usually associates with horses and horse stables. We may here be talking in riddles, for to the present generation, horses and their stables and the odors thereof are not too well known.
At this first meeting, inter alia, a resolution was adopted authorizing the Trustees to confer with the Trustees of Orient Lodge No. 590, and the Trustees of Wilkinsburg Royal Arch Chapter No. 285, toward the formation of a Masonic Association for the purpose of securing property and the erection of a Masonic HaIl to be located in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania. Thus there was no time lost in setting in motion the steps necessary for leaving the highly undesirable quarters then occupied.
During the first year, October 1906, to October 1907, seventy-one petitions for initiation and membership were presented and read.
As the officers, both elective and appointed, were all new at the business of conducting a lodge, and especially in the conferring of degrees, many Saturday and Sunday afternoons were spent in the Lodge Room by the officers, studying and rehearsing, and also in actually passing through the various forms and ceremonies. In these afternoon meetings great help, encouragement and instruction was given by many unselfish and gracious officers of Orient Lodge No. 590.
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At the stated meeting held December 17, 1906, the first elective officers of the lodge were duly elected and installed.
As time passed, the lodge continued to prosper and grow. Its officers had been inspired by the duty to, and desirability of, mastering the degree work in as near letter perfect form as possible. This was in great part due to the ability of our first Elected Worshipful Master, Brother Joseph W. Cottrell, who possessed an unparalleled memory for the degree work and a knack of inspiring the officers to master the work of the degrees and to exemplify it properly. His example and his insistence on proper and accurate work still has its impress and influence, for the officers of Beta Lodge always have, and still do, manifest and demonstrate this same desirability and need for accuracy.
Time came when the new Temple was erected and completed, and Orient Lodge No. 590, Beta Lodge No. 647, and Wilkinsburg Royal Arch. Chapter No. 285 left the old quarters at 733 Penn Avenue with its odorous atmosphere and wooden elevator, and moved into the present fine and commodious structure, and here have carried on ever since.
At the present time Lincoln Commandery No. 91 of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar, as well as Wilkinsburg Lodge No. 683 and Samuel Hamilton Lodge No. 746 also occupy this Temple.
Throughout the fifty year period of its existence, Beta Lodge has had a wonderful group of men among its membership. The attendance as shown by the minute books has been unusually good, and throughout all these years the members have shown their esteem for the lodge, in a manner exceptionally desirable and commendable.
The lodge has had throughout these years, officers whose work has been of the highest character. The degrees have been performed in a manner subject to little criticism, and the business of the lodge has been conducted with dispatch.
We look back over the fifty years which are past, with great satisfaction. We look forward to the future with the assurance that the impress of the past will have its definite effect on the work of the future.
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Wilkinsburg Public Library Digital Archives:
William A. Jordan, P.M., “History of Beta Lodge, No. 647, F. & A.” in Fiftieth Anniversary, November 17, 1956, Beta Lodge, No. 647, Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania, Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania.