Our History

Durand Lodge No. 179 has met in Point Pleasant Beach for more than 120 years. Here are some highlights from our minute books.

1903

December 26 — Brethren from the area, interested in the formation of a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in the Borough of Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, assembled in a room designated for that purpose on the second floor of the Hendrickson Building, Bay Ave. (northeast corner of Bay Ave. and Laurel Ave., what is now 620/622 Bay Ave., approximately 200 feet north of Laurel Ave.)

At 9:30 a.m., under dispensation, Most Worshipful W. Holt Apgar, Grand Master of Masons for the State of New Jersey, opened this new Lodge for the very first time. While the Grand Lodge Officers were in their respective Stations and Places, the Grand Master, with the assistance of the S.G.D. and the G. Marshal, proceeded to install the officers of this Lodge, with W.B. John Stevenson as its first Worshipful Master. After the formalities of opening and instructing the new Lodge, "all of the speakers with especial pleasure [referred] to the fact, that the name of the Lodge would perpetuate that of one who had been among the most prominent and popular members of the Order in the State." The Brothers were referring to our namesake, "the late Past Grand Master, James H. Durand, to whom all the members of the Grand Lodge spoke of in the highest language."

1904

Durand Lodge purchases four new chairs (Master, Tyler, Marshal and Secretary) along with the official Lodge Seal.

1905

June 26 — After first being rejected by the Grand Master, Durand Lodge's Constitution and By-Laws are finally approved.

1906

January 22 — Durand Trustees arrange a lease with Mr. Henry Heller (landlord of the Hendrickson Bldg.) for the Lodge Room on the second floor for a period of five years at a rate of seven dollars a month. The Brothers demanded that a ladder for a proper fire escape be added, along with "sufficient rope for the four additional windows." It wasn't until February 10, 1908 that an iron fire escape was erected and the aforementioned rope was supplied.

1908

A communication was received by the Secretary from the Fredericksburg, Virginia Lodge, asking for a contribution to fund the building of a Masonic Memorial to Worshipful Brother George Washington. Durand Lodge donates five dollars.

1909

Brethren of the Lodge pass a motion to purchase a "commode" that was to be kept "in one of the outer rooms."

1916

By-laws amended to read, "Regular Communications will be held on the second and fourth Mondays of every month."

1917

The Lodge purchases a new flag, and a motion is passed to procure a "Roll of Honor" to memorialize Brothers who were called to duty in "our present war" (World War I). A motion also passes to purchase and send "traveling cards to our Brethren in war," and their dues payments were suspended.

1920

An area businessman, Dr. E.S. Carrigan, owner of John Arnold Hall (purchased from the Pt. Pleasant & Bay Head Fire Company for $7,500), offered the Lodge rental of the Hall at $430 per year. (The Fire Company then moved to a new building directly behind Arnold Hall, now the Ocean Star building.) The offer was accepted, and by September 1920 the Lodge had moved from the Hendrickson Building to the third floor of Arnold Hall. Durand Brother A.B. Johnson later purchased Arnold Hall and became the Lodge's new landlord.

1935

The Secretary receives correspondence from the Grand Master mandating that the letter "G" be displayed at all Regular Communications and that it be properly covered when the Lodge is closed. This year also brings the first reference to the 17th Masonic District; before this, the minute books refer to Durand as part of the 13th Masonic District.

1943

Durand conducts its first meeting in its new Masonic Hall in the Vitrini Building. (It is unknown whether this is the building referred to as "the building" at Richmond Ave. & Arnold Ave.)

Circa 1950–1951

After again discussing a move, the Brothers of Durand, along with W.B. Fitzsimmons, approached Father Duffy, caretaker of a retreat for nuns then located on Atlantic Ave. between Bay Ave. and Richmond Ave. (just north of New Jersey Ave.), which was experiencing financial difficulties. Durand purchased the Chapel portion of the retreat and had it moved south to our present location at the corner of New Jersey Ave. and Richmond Ave., where it was placed atop a new foundation, creating what we now use as our Fellowship Hall.

1953

W.B. John Townley presents a picture of M.W. James H. Durand to the Lodge "to be displayed in an appropriate place." It is now proudly displayed in our ante room.

1954

Durand Lodge No. 179 celebrates its 50th anniversary. The Lodge purchases a new public address system, the cost of which was shared by the Sisters of the Faith Chapter of the O.E.S.

1970

The Williams Balcony, the pride and joy of Durand, is constructed and dedicated. W.B. John Cumming is the first to deliver the Middle Chamber Lecture using the new balcony.

2004

Durand Lodge celebrates its 100th anniversary.

2012

Durand Lodge hosts brothers from Prince Hall affiliated lodges.