Washington Lodge No. 21 was originally chartered as Washington Lodge on March 5, 1800, but its history actually precedes that date by 21 years. The Lodge’s roots date back to February 20, 1779, when it was chartered as Lodge Number 210 in New York City by the Grand Lodge of England. Lodge No. 210 took an important part in the organization of the Provincial Grand Lodge and eventually the Grand Lodge of New York. By the end of 1783, there remained only Lodge Numbers 169, 210, and 212, of which whom would make up the Grand Lodge of New York. Of those three, Lodge No. 210 is the only one that has traces remaining in the Grand Lodge today (Trinity Lodge No. 12 of the Ninth Manhattan District and Washington Lodge No. 21 of the First Manhattan District).

In 1789, the Lodges in New York City were renumbered, and Lodge No. 210 was granted a charter under the name and number of Jerusalem Lodge No. 4 on December 2, 1789. The following years were plagued by internal disputes and discord. It reached a point where a special session of the Grand Lodge had to be called on July 16, 1794 to come up with a resolution. It was decided on March 4, 1795 to cancel the Charter of Jerusalem Lodge No. 4, and to grant each of the two parties involved their own separate Charters. Thus was born Trinity Lodge No. 10 and Phoenix Lodge No. 11.

Shortly after, turmoil within Phoenix Lodge No. 11 presented itself again, and a special communication was held at the discretion of Grand Lodge on March 4, 1800 to resolve serious discord amongst the membership. The two parties involved consented to a division of the Lodge, with the larger faction requesting a new Charter from the Grand Lodge. The following day on March 5th, the Grand Lodge approved the petition of several members to withdraw from Phoenix Lodge No. 11 and to form a new Lodge under the title, Washington Lodge No. 16. On March 18, 1800, Worshipful Alexander S. Gordon was installed as Washington Lodge’s first Master. Worshipful Mordecai Myers would later become Master of Washington Lodge in the years of 1802, 1804, and 1805. Both were among the first candidates of Phoenix Lodge No. 11 prior to forming Washington Lodge.

On April 7, 1818, at a Lodge communication, a group of Brethren desired to withdraw for the purpose of forming a new Lodge. Grand Lodge granted their request and issued a Charter to Concord Lodge No. 304 in the First Manhattan District. Over time the number was changed to 50, and in the early part of the last decade of the last century, Concord Lodge, No. 50 merged with Lodge of Antiquity No. 11, Suffolk District, of Brentwood, Long Island, and remains our closest Masonic kin.

On June 18, 1849, Washington Lodge ceded from the then Grand Lodge of the State of New York and affiliated with the Phillips Grand Lodge. However, in June of 1858, the Grand Lodge, the Phillips Grand Lodge, and Willard Grand Lodge reconciled, and Washington Lodge was again aligned under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York and continues to operate as such to the present day.

Lastly, it is significant to note that this Lodge was the first body of Masons chartered to bear the name of Brother, General, and former President, George Washington, who died December 14, 1799, at Mount Vernon, Virginia. The Lodge has continued to exist under that name ever since, although the number has changed from 16 to 84 and finally to 21. In 1886, when our Charter was returned to Grand Lodge for safekeeping, a duplicate was returned to us with a notation stating, “The number of Washington Lodge subsequently changed to 21”. During its many years of history, the Lodge has been active in public life within the city of New York. Although it has had many ups and downs through the years, its tradition and heritage have enabled it to weather the storms.

Other Important Historical Facts:

In 1854, Washington Lodge donated a stone, suitably carved, which was placed in the Washington Monument in our Nation’s capital and may be seen on a level with the eleventh landing.

In 1914, Washington Lodge No. 21 instituted a movement for the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Fort Washington, which was built in Brooklyn during the War of 1812-14 as part of the defenses of New York City, and placed a suitable tablet marking the spot. The tablet may be seen on the YMCA Building at Nevins Street and Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn.

In May of 1932, during the 200th anniversary celebration of the birth of George Washington, a delegation of Masons from Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22 and Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4 of Virginia presented Washington Lodge No. 21 with the Master Mason degree as it was conferred on George Washington on August 4, 1753.

In 1950, at the celebration of our 150th anniversary, Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22 and Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4 presented Washington Lodge No. 21 the following heirlooms from their collection: a piece of wood from Washington’s coffin, a goblet from the original glassware used at Mt. Vernon, and a bronze replica of the Memorial building.

In 1975, Alexandria-Washington Lodge. No. 22 and Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4 attended our 175th anniversary meeting and brought with them the trowel George Washington used to lay the cornerstone of the Capitol Building. On the same evening, St. John’s Lodge No. 1, of our very own First Manhattan District, brought with them the Bible that Brother George Washington took his oath of office on as President. There were over two hundred brothers in attendance that night.

Washington Lodge No. 21 also makes an annual pilgrimage to Mt. Vernon, Virginia for George Washington’s birthday in February to place a wreath on the sarcophagus of his tomb, in appropriate ceremony. In the past, this was done in conjunction with Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22 (in which Lodge George Washington was the Charter Master) and Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4 (in which he was made a Mason in 1752).

As part of the annual pilgrimage to Virginia, Washington Lodge No. 21 also visits the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, which has a stately building in Alexandria, Virginia, on a hill with a commanding view of the Potomac River and Washington D. C., as a reminder to future generations of Washington’s Masonic career and to house many valuable Washington relics. There is an annual gala celebration held there in honor of Washington’s birthday.

For many years, Washington Lodge has contributed donations and participation of its members to the George Washington Annual Inauguration Reenactment at Federal Hall in New York City, which occurs on April 30th or the last weekday of April. It was there that he took his oath of office and gave his famous inaugural speech on April 30th, 1789, as first President of the United States of America. 

A GEOGRAPHIC HISTORY OF WASHINGTON LODGE #21

Take an historical journey through the ups and downs of our great Lodge, now celebrating its 225th Anniversary!.