First Things First…
We owe a special thanks to the following individuals and organizations for making this memorable event possible. First, our gratitude goes to the Geneva Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Kevin Burns, who came out to celebrate this milestone with us. We also extend our appreciation to Right Worshipful Grand Master David Lynch of Illinois Grand Lodge for honoring us with his presence and inspiring words.
We couldn’t have reached this milestone without the dedication of our lodge brothers working behind the scenes, including our Senior Warden Jacob McConnell and Worshipful Master Eric Johnson. Thank you all for making our 170th anniversary celebration truly remarkable.
This October, our Geneva Masonic Lodge 139 proudly celebrated 170 years of service and fellowship with an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony at our lodge building at 10 S. Second St. in downtown Geneva. The event drew nearly 40 community members, including lodge officers and local dignitaries, to honor our long-standing legacy.
The ceremony began with remarks from our own WM Eric Johnson, who was joined by Geneva’s Mayor Kevin Burns, Chamber of Commerce Chair Mike Olesen, and Right Worshipful Grand Master David Lynch of Illinois Grand Lodge. WM Johnson shared the rich history of our lodge, which was granted its charter on October 2, 1854, by the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. This was four years before Geneva itself was incorporated as a village. What started with a modest $1 annual member due has grown into a vibrant community of over 100 members from all corners of Kane County.
RWGM Lynch spoke to the charitable work Freemasons are honored to uphold. Across Illinois, Masonic lodges collectively contribute nearly $1 million each day to charity. “Our Geneva Lodge reaching 170 years shows we have a purpose here on Earth: to build a better society by uplifting one another,” Lynch shared with the community.
After the ceremony, we welcomed our guests to tour the lodge, showcasing historic artifacts that represent the lodge’s long-standing presence in Geneva. Among the highlights were our original 1854 Bible, charter certificate, and plaques honoring members from the past 170 years. Senior Warden Jacob McConnell guided guests through these displays, embodying the pride we feel for our lodge’s contributions to the community.
As part of our enduring commitment to community support, Geneva Lodge 139 offers annual scholarships to local students, and we actively donate to area school districts, having recently contributed $2,000 each to Geneva and St. Charles school districts. Additionally, we partner with organizations like The Salvation Army and Feed My Starving Children, and we’re currently collecting winter clothing to be donated to the Geneva Police Department for those in need.
The event drew members from all backgrounds, ages, and years of service. New member Carmine Routon, who joined us this past spring, expressed his gratitude for the welcoming brotherhood and the opportunity to give back. Brother Jason Arrington, a long-standing member and Shriner, shared his personal experience of how Freemasons’ contributions to Shriners Hospitals for Children have impacted his life by covering his medical expenses.
While we honor the timeless traditions of Freemasonry, Geneva Masonic Lodge is an open and active organization that invites those interested in making a difference to join us. Membership applications are available on our website, where we welcome inquiries from those wanting to learn more about our fraternity.
We would like to thank Shaw Local and their photographers for capturing this celebration of our history. To read more about this milestone, please refer to the original article by David Petesch on Shaw Local [here].
Photo credit: Sandy Bressner of Shaw Local.
