A Brief History of Bristol Lodge No. 25 F. & A.M.

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Bristol Lodge No. 25 is located on Cedar Street in historic Bristol Pennsylvania. Bristol Lodge members point with pride to the fact that our warrant of constitution, dates back to March 29th, 1780. On that day, the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania issued a decree that Bristol residents Bros. John Clark, Samuel Benezet, William McIllvaine and their lawful assistants were appointed and authorized to hold a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons at the town of Bristol in the state Pennsylvania, or anywhere within five miles of said town. In the years that followed, Bristol Lodge has led a very colorful existence not only in the world of Free Masons, but also in the community around it and has gained for itself a right and lawful place in local Bucks County History.

The Lodge’s early Record Books do not indicate exactly where in Bristol the members gathered to hold their meetings and it is supposed that several of the Lodge’s first meetings were held at the King George Inn located on the corner of Mill and Radcliffe Streets or in the home of Bro. Henry Shillingberg the Lodge’s first Tyler. It has been reported that Bro. Shillingberg resided on Cedar Street near Mill Street. In November of 1780, Bros. William McIllvaine and Charles Benezet were appointed to rent a suitable place for a Lodge Room, which they did for a total of twenty silver dollars per annum, exclusive of taxes. According to Lodge records, the meeting minutes did not mention where the lodge room was located but it was believed to be in a house on Cedar Street owned by Hugh Tomb located across the street from the current Masonic hall. The residence has long since been torn down.

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After careful planning and raising the required funds, a hall was finally erected and dedicated to Masonry on November 18th, 1815. The building was two and half stories high, made of stone, and 36 by 26 feet on its ground plan. It should be noted that Bristol Lodge was one of the first Masonic lodges in the state of Pennsylvania to have a building which was built specifically for Masonic purposes. As the Lodge prospered, the membership started to outgrow the hall and the members finally agreed to erect the present hall. The site of the old hall was selected for the erection of the new. During the summer of 1853, the former was taken down and the present hall was erected. The new hall was completed on Monday May 1st, 1854 with ceremonies attended by the Grand Lodge and the Right Worshipful Grand Master.

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During its construction, the new masonic hall was fitted with gas lighting making it one of the first buildings in Bristol to have such illumination. In 1894 the lodge received indoor plumbing and heating. In 1897 a complete system of electric lighting with appropriate fixtures was installed by Bros. Charles E. Scott, P.M. and George A. Shoemaker, P.M. at their own expense. The Masonic Hall was also one of the first buildings in Bristol to have electric lighting, a major technological advancement for that time. Throughout the last 165 years the masonic hall has undergone many updates and renovations. It is now one of the oldest masonic buildings still in use today in the State of Pennsylvania.

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One article of the original by-laws of the lodge, states that The Stated Meetings of this Lodge shall be held on the “Saturday Evening on or before the full of the moon in every month.” Bristol Lodge holds on to that tradition. If you are puzzled by this article let the logic of the men who wrote it govern you: In the days before gas or electric street lights, the Lodge members always had the light of the full moon to guide them on their journey back home after their meetings. The hours of meeting of Bristol Lodge No. 25 are the same as in 1780. From March 25th to September 25th, the meetings start at 7 p.m. and from September 25th to March 25th they start at 6 p.m. This simply means the members are insured of daylight while going to lodge and moonlight when leaving.