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History of Friendship Masonic Center
Friendship
Lodge No. 160, sponsored by Washington Lodge No. 46 was charted by the Grand Lodge of Oregon on June 11, 1914. Friendship
Chapter No. 115 Order of Eastern Star, likewise recieved its charter in June 1914. Until 1922, both organizations met in Vincent
hall, a building which had been erected at 43th and Sandy Blvd. by Dean Vincent (1881-1963), a chartered member and son-in-law
of Paul Adamson Cowgill (1872-1935), the first Worshipful Master of Friendship Lodge.
In 1921, Friendship Lodge acquired the outstanding bonds of the
Rose City Park Club, which had built a building at NE 57th and Alameda and then experienced financial difficulty. In May 1922,
the Grand Lodge of Oregon approved the Lodge's move to the former Rose City Park Club building.
In June 1927, principally due to the efforts of Worshipful Brother
William Wallace Youngson, Sr. (1869-1955), a beautiful statue of George Washington was dedicated and unveiled on a plot of
ground donated to the city of Portland by Friendship Lodge.
On April
27, 1939, Friendship Lodge dedicated a new addition which included a banquet hall and a full cement basement with recreational
facilities. On May 21, 1955, Grand Lodge officers broke ground for an annex to house a new Lodge room. The architect, Bro.
Glenn Stanton (1895-1969), was inspired by the statue of George washington to design the new addition in a Colonial motif.
The contractor, Bro. Albert Stromberg (1913-2004), built the new addition at his cost.
On October 26, 1997, Friendship Masonic Lodge No. 160 held a rededication service having made major repairs and renovations
to the original building (in the preceding three years) including painting, rewiring, new acoustical ceilings, lighting and
carpenting, a Reception Room with new floor, ceiling and lights, renovation of the Secretary's office and major roof repairs.
To be continued...
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