Hiram Lodge No. 103 Cornerstone Ceremonies
Five Cornerstones have been laid by our lodge.
The first Cornerstone was the Methodist Episcopal Church in Piedmont, West Virginia on August 18, 1868.
The second Cornerstone was the Methodist Episcopal Church in Barton, Maryland on July 4, 1871.
On September 24, 1904, the third Cornerstone was laid at the Bloomington Methodist Church in Bloomington, Maryland. The members marched nearly three miles, from Westernport to Bloomington, for this ceremony.
On November 8, 1908 the Lodge laid the fourth Cornerstone for the First Baptist Church of Westernport.
The fifth Cornerstone was laid on November 9, 1922 at the former Bruce High School, now known as Westernport Elementary School. This date saw 80 Master Masons, and 52 Knights Templar from Cumberland and West Virginia in attendance. Scroll down to view a photo of the original program from the Bruce High School Cornerstone Ceremony.
Our Lodge also participated in the Cornerstone Ceremony for the Hammond Street School (Westernport Public School - pictured below) in 1891, as well as the Cumberland Public Library on Thanksgiving Day in 1902. On October 22, 1915, in addition to the Grand Lodge of West Virginia, our Lodge was present for the Cornerstone Ceremony of the then-Piedmont High School.
The date October 31, 1971 saw the laying of the Cornerstone and the beginning of the construction on our Lodge, and finally, "A DREAM IS BECOMING A REALITY"( Everett E. Knott, W.M. and Louis E. Biggs, Secretary - February 23, 1972).
The first Cornerstone was the Methodist Episcopal Church in Piedmont, West Virginia on August 18, 1868.
The second Cornerstone was the Methodist Episcopal Church in Barton, Maryland on July 4, 1871.
On September 24, 1904, the third Cornerstone was laid at the Bloomington Methodist Church in Bloomington, Maryland. The members marched nearly three miles, from Westernport to Bloomington, for this ceremony.
On November 8, 1908 the Lodge laid the fourth Cornerstone for the First Baptist Church of Westernport.
The fifth Cornerstone was laid on November 9, 1922 at the former Bruce High School, now known as Westernport Elementary School. This date saw 80 Master Masons, and 52 Knights Templar from Cumberland and West Virginia in attendance. Scroll down to view a photo of the original program from the Bruce High School Cornerstone Ceremony.
Our Lodge also participated in the Cornerstone Ceremony for the Hammond Street School (Westernport Public School - pictured below) in 1891, as well as the Cumberland Public Library on Thanksgiving Day in 1902. On October 22, 1915, in addition to the Grand Lodge of West Virginia, our Lodge was present for the Cornerstone Ceremony of the then-Piedmont High School.
The date October 31, 1971 saw the laying of the Cornerstone and the beginning of the construction on our Lodge, and finally, "A DREAM IS BECOMING A REALITY"( Everett E. Knott, W.M. and Louis E. Biggs, Secretary - February 23, 1972).
Cornerstone for the former Bruce High School, now Westernport Elementary School, dedicated in memory of Oliver H. Bruce, Past Master of Hiram Lodge No. 103. Photo Courtesy of Past Master Tim Kady.
Hammond Street School Cornerstone (Westernport Public School) - Photo Courtesy of Past Master Tim Kady
“The Herald” (Piedmont, W.Va.), Friday 10 November 1922:
The list of articles deposited in the corner stone by Mr. Norris Bruce, the son of the late Oliver H. Bruce, was as follows:
A copy of resolutions passed by the Board of Education of Allegany County, naming the school Bruce High School.
The programs of all the commencements since the first held in 1893 and containing the names of all the graduates of the Westernport High School.
A copy of the Piedmont Herald and Cumberland News of September 19, 1920, containing an account of the funeral services of the late O. H. Bruce.
The last issue of the Piedmont Herald and a copy of the Cumberland Daily News of Thursday.
A list of the officers and members of Hiram Lodge No. 103, A. F. & A. M.
A program of the day’s exercises.
Silver Peace Dollar presented by the Alumni Association of Westernport High School and dated 1923
Masonic medal struck in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of Hiram Lodge.
A list of the names of the school officials of Allegany County and the trustees of the school
A copy of a number of poems written by the late O. H. Bruce.
Photographs of the former school buildings.
A copy of the By-Laws of Hiram Lodge.
Copies of addresses delivered by the late O. H. Bruce on the occasions of the corner stone laying of the First Baptist Church, Westernport, and the Methodist Church, Bloomington, and on the occasion of the acceptance of the service flag of the Town of Westernport, as well as memorial addresses on Garfield, Grant and McKinley.
Copies of the financial statements of the Town of Westernport for the years 1920, 1921 and to April 1922.
Names of the officials of the Town of Westernport.
Names of the teachers and pupils of the Westernport school.
Photograph of the late Oliver H. Bruce.
Masonic apron bearing the inscription of the Masonic Honors accorded the late O. H. Bruce.
The list of articles deposited in the corner stone by Mr. Norris Bruce, the son of the late Oliver H. Bruce, was as follows:
A copy of resolutions passed by the Board of Education of Allegany County, naming the school Bruce High School.
The programs of all the commencements since the first held in 1893 and containing the names of all the graduates of the Westernport High School.
A copy of the Piedmont Herald and Cumberland News of September 19, 1920, containing an account of the funeral services of the late O. H. Bruce.
The last issue of the Piedmont Herald and a copy of the Cumberland Daily News of Thursday.
A list of the officers and members of Hiram Lodge No. 103, A. F. & A. M.
A program of the day’s exercises.
Silver Peace Dollar presented by the Alumni Association of Westernport High School and dated 1923
Masonic medal struck in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of Hiram Lodge.
A list of the names of the school officials of Allegany County and the trustees of the school
A copy of a number of poems written by the late O. H. Bruce.
Photographs of the former school buildings.
A copy of the By-Laws of Hiram Lodge.
Copies of addresses delivered by the late O. H. Bruce on the occasions of the corner stone laying of the First Baptist Church, Westernport, and the Methodist Church, Bloomington, and on the occasion of the acceptance of the service flag of the Town of Westernport, as well as memorial addresses on Garfield, Grant and McKinley.
Copies of the financial statements of the Town of Westernport for the years 1920, 1921 and to April 1922.
Names of the officials of the Town of Westernport.
Names of the teachers and pupils of the Westernport school.
Photograph of the late Oliver H. Bruce.
Masonic apron bearing the inscription of the Masonic Honors accorded the late O. H. Bruce.
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