It was a Special Night at St. Paul Lodge #3

 On May 16, 2023, St. Paul Lodge #3 held its regular Stated Meeting, but it was a special night filled with special guests, with a special program in a special building. 

The evening began with the gathering of Masonic Brothers in the Triune Masonic Lodge which is located in the Merriam Park Neighborhood of St. Paul, Minnesota.  Our building was designed and built exclusively for the single use as a Masonic Blue Lodge over one hundred years ago by Henry C. Stuchen in the Neo-Classical Revival Style. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Our special guests for the evening were the Worshipful Master and Brothers from Ancient Landmark Lodge #5 of St. Paul. 

The evening began in the Lodge Room opening on the First Degree in the traditional observance style. Strickley using the Minnesota work, but has customary periods of silence for self-introspection, and musical selections. 

A Emulation of the pre-1990 First Degree was performed which included the "Stevenson Lecture" which is a narration or commentary explaining many of the elements to the degree. 

The Stevenson Lecture was written by our late Masonic Scholar and Past Master James Stevenson. A man I dearly miss. 

This degree has not been performed in over five years, so it was a special treat. There were a number of the Lodges Entered Apprentices attending, so it was very educational for them, and a wonderful reminder for the rest of us. 

After we retired to the library for a traditional Festive Board. Which was a wonderful three course meal followed by a series of toasts with sparkling apple juice. 

After the social isolation that we all experienced during the pandemic. It is certainly a joyous occasion to get back to into Lodge again, and celebrate our Masonic traditions.