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Masonic lodges merge to form New Franklin Lodge 803



NEW FRANKLIN — The merging of two area Masonic lodges last year was officially consecrated May 14 with a public flag raising ceremony in front of the New Franklin Masonic Lodge 803, located on Rex Lake Drive. Members of Boy Scout Troops 118 of Manchester United Methodist Church, Troop 335 of from Greensburg United Methodist Church, and Troop 336 of Messiah Lutheran Church, conducted the flag raising, shown above.
Barberton Lodge 750 and Wayfarer Lodge 789 — formerly the Portage Lakes Lodge — merged last year to form the New Franklin Lodge. The two groups go back to the mid-20th century, according to lodge officials. Lodges are organizational units of Freemasonry.
According to its website, Freemasonry, formally organized in London, England, in 1717, unites men of good character who, though of different religious, ethnic or social backgrounds, share a belief in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of mankind.
New Franklin Lodge 803 Trustee and Wayfarer Lodge 789 Past Master Bill Lovell said the impetus for the merger was primarily membership based.
“But we are really excited — our [new membership] is now at about 400,” he said.
Grand Master of all Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio Richard Dickerscheid, along with several district officers, also attended the ceremony. Attendees are pictured below.
“We felt terrible when we found out we would have to do this [merge] because of our membership numbers,” said New Franklin Lodge 803 Worshipful Master Don Wright, a former member of the Barberton Lodge, which formed in 1953. “Our lodge was getting smaller, and the Wayfarer Lodge agreed to terminate its charter as well in order for us to form the new lodge. We are stronger as a bigger group.”
Wright said the new lodge is better positioned to continue and expand the Masons’ outreach programs throughout the community.

Photos: Brian Lisik