Masonic Lodges reach out with open houses

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

    SANGERVILLE — The Abner Wade Lodge in Sangerville was one of more than 150 Maine Masonic Lodges to open its doors to the public on Saturday, shedding some light on what some consider a mysterious fraternal organization.

Observer photo/Mike Lange

   ABNER WADE LODGE – The Abner Wade Masonic Lodge in Sangerville was founded in 1902 and named after a well-known merchant marine and prominent businessman in the community.

    Although membership has leveled off in recent years, there are an estimated 25,000 Freemasons in 185 lodges, making it Maine’s largest fraternal organization.
    The Abner Wade Lodge, founded in 1902, is one of the smaller lodges with only 58 members, but it has a strong history and is very active in the community, said Bill Pinkham, a four-time master or president of the lodge. “We’re seeing renewed interest in the Masons. Right now, we have two candidates who are taking their entered apprentice (first) degree and we’re interviewing two others,” Pinkham said.
    Bob Wilson, who is secretary of the Abner Wade and Mt. Kineo (Guilford) lodges, said that one common misconception about the Masons is that it’s a “secret” organization. “The lodges are right out in the open with our name on the front,” Wilson, a 45-year Mason, said. “We have secret rituals, but so does every other fraternal organization.”
    Wilson said that the membership has declined in recent years, but the economy might have as much to do with it as lack of interest. “If money is tight and you’re facing winter fuel bills, paying Masonic dues isn’t high on your priority list,” Wilson said.
    Steve Deane, one of the lodge stewards, joined one year ago. “My father, uncle and one cousin were Masons,” Deane said. “Three years ago, I was living in Las Vegas and battling cancer.” He said that if he recovered, “I promised the Lord I’ve move back to Maine and join a fraternal order that does some good in the community. So here I am.”
    Travis Salley, a two-year member, said he joined for similar reasons. “My dad is a Mason, and he was always very proud of his membership,” Salley said.
    Masonry in Maine is strongly linked to the history of the state itself. There were 31 Masonic Lodges chartered by 1820, the year residents voted to break away from Massachusetts, form their own state and join the union.
    The first governor of Maine, William King, was also the first grand master or state president of the Masonic order.
    Two local Lodges were formed shortly after Maine was granted statehood: Penobscot Lodge, now in Dexter, was chartered in Garland in 1822; and Piscataquis Lodge, now in Milo, was chartered in 1823 in Sebec. It was relocated to Milo in 1855
    Abner Wade, a Woolwich native, was a merchant marine for several years until ill health forced him to give up the profession. He eventually married Sarah Ayer, the daughter of Dr. Moses Ayer, a practicing physician in Sangerville.
    Wade invested in several businesses in the community at a time when “the arrival of the stage (coach) from Bangor was the event of the day and furnished about all the excitement there was,” according to a memoir written by his nephew, William O. Ayer Jr.
    Wade, who passed away in 1895, served as master of the lodge that now bears his name five times.
    Information about membership requirements and contact information for local lodges is  at www.mainemason.org.