Union Lodge # 75, Unionville, Union District

The warrant of this lodge was granted December 16, 1850, but, from not having been officially applied for, it was not until November 1, 1853 that it was issued to

D. Gouldelock, WM, John L. Young, SW, and W.T. Thompson, JW.  The lodge had, however been at work since January 17, 1851.  Brother B.F. Arthur, late Master of Union 75, has kindly supplied me with the following information: “A lodge was organized in this town in 1818.  I have, in the achieves of my lodge. The Charter of this lodge dated December 26, 1818, in which Zachariah Reid is WM, Richard Humphries, SW, and A.W. Thompson, JW.  This lodge was abandoned about 1829. The minutes are in the possession of Lodge # 75, and the last records made on October 5, 1829.  No authentic information can be obtained as to the cause of its extinction.  There is a tradition, however that political causes produced its dissolution.  There is also a tradition that a lodge was also in existence in this District not far from Pickneyville, many years ago, but no reliable information can be obtained concerning it.”

To these items I can only add a few additional facts.  There was, in 1817, an Ancient York Lodge at Unionville, which was then known as “No. 75”. I have not discovered the exact date of its institution, but it must have been after 1807, as its name is not found in the registry of that year.  In 1817, it acceded to the Union of Grand Lodges which took place, and, in 1818, took out a new warrant as “No 43”, which is the warrant mentioned by Brother Arthur.  It paid its annual dues, regularly, up to 1830, after which year it made no returns, although it continued to be represented in the Grand Lodge by proxy until the end of 1833.  The lodge was suspended in 1834, but I suppose that it never really worked after 1830 or 1831.  In 1807 there was a Lodge of Ancient York Masons situated on Hughes Creek, Broad River, Union District, which was designated as No. 18.  It was in existence in 1817, and at the union in that year its number was changed from 18 to 12.  In 1823 it surrendered its warrant and jewels.  As Pickneyville is also on Broad River, it is probable that this was the lodge which is alluded to by Brother Arthur as being, “not far from Pickneyville.”

 This 1818 Charter has been in the possession of Union Lodge # 75 since that time.  Due to the age and condition of this document, and the fact that is may be the oldest known South Carolina Charter in existence, the members feel that it should be preserved and stored in a fireproof, climate controlled environment so that it will be available for viewing by future generations.

On June 16, 2009 at the Regular Communications of Union Lodge # 75 A.F.M. the Membership voted to donate this old Warrant of Constitution to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of South Carolina.

 Most Worshipful Brother Barry A. Rickman, Grand Master of Masons of South Carolina  was present at this Regular Communications and graciously accepted it to be placed in the achieves of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina.

                     MW Brother Barry A. Rickman Grand Master of Masons of SC, WB Jimmy Kimbrell WM of Union Lodge # 75, RW Brother Roger W. Gregory DDGM 12 District and Secretary Union Lodge # 75. RW Michael Broom, Grand Marshall of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, and WB Dean Tollison, Senior Grand Deacon of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge and Tiler of Union Lodge # 75.

June 16, 2009 Regular Communications, Grand Master Official Visit

Front Row L-R   Right Worshipful Jerry Phillips Grand Chaplin,  Worshipful Brother Bosie Martin Grand Tiler, Right Worshipful Roger Gregory DDGM 12th Masonic District, Most Worshipful Barry A. Rickman Grand Master of Masons of SC, Right Worshipful William Rooser DDGM 11th Masonic District, Right Worshipful Mike Broome Grand Marshall, Worshipful Brother Dean Tollison Grand Senior Deacon, Right Worshipful Loyd Thompson PDDGM 12th District.

Back Row L-R Mike Lancaster Junior Deacon, WB Butch Kimbrell Treasurer, Jon Kendrick Steward, Brad Conard Senior Deacon, Zack Arthur Junior Warden, Jason Gregory Senior Warden, WB Jimmy Kimbrell Worshipful Master,  James Lancaster Steward, Ray Hathcock Chaplin - FC Lecturer

June 16, 2009

Brothers Ralph S. Pettie, Gene A. Gregory, Robert G. Pridemore, and William McPhillips Whisnant receive  their 40 year Certificates and Life Member Dues Cards from Most Worshipful Brother Barry A. Rickman Grand Master of Masons of South Carolina. Also present WB Jimmy Kimbrell, Worshipful Master of Union Lodge 75.

A Mason for 50 years!

June 16, 2009

Brother Leroy Shropshire receives his 50 year certificate and pin from Most Worshipful Brother Barry A. Rickman Grand Master of Masons of South Carolina. Also present WB Jimmy Kimbrell, Worshipful Master of Union Lodge 75.

A Mason for 60 years!

June 16, 2009

Worshipful Brother Edgar Allen Crocker receives his 60 year certificate and pin from Most Worshipful Brother Barry A. Rickman Grand Master of Masons of South Carolina. Also present WB Jimmy Kimbrell, Worshipful Master of Union Lodge 75.

A Mason for 60 years!

November 18, 2008

Assisted by our Worshipful Master Brother Jimmy Kimbrell, Right Worshipful Brother Barry A. Rickman, Deputy Grand Master of Masons of South Carolina presents Brother John Heath his 60 year pin and certificate.   

A Mason for 60 years!

November 20, 2007

Brother Henry I. Vaughan, 84 received his 60 year service award. The award was presented by Right Worshipful Jim Parks District Deputy Grand Master of the 12th Masonic District with the assistance of our W.M. Brother Robert Hines. Standing with Brother Henry are his sons David and Terry, who are also members of Union Lodge # 75. We express our congratulations to Brother Henry for this remarkable achievement and wish him many more years of service to the craft.

A Mason for 50 years !

November 20, 2007

Shown are W.M. Brother Robert Hines with his Grandfather Brother Henry Johnson and Right Worshipful Jim Parks District Deputy Grand Master of the 12th Masonic District 2007-2009. Brother Johnson received his 50 year service award. We express our congratulations to Brother Henry for this remarkable achievement and wish him many more years of service to the craft.

Brother Gene Y. Tollison is shown wearing the Jewel of the

Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priest.

 Brother Tollison received the Priestly Order of the Temple on December 8, 2004 in Cana Tabernacle No. XLIX 

Brother Tollison has the distinction of being the first and only Mason from Union County to receive this prestigious degree. Membership in this order is by invitation and limited to Knights Templar who have served a full term as Commander, and attained the honor and distinction of Past Commander. Invitations can be issued only after unanimous ballots have been taken at a gathering of Knight Templar Priests.

The Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priest is an honorary and invitational organization with membership limitations and cannot be applied for. Members are selected and extended invitations based on outstanding Masonic performance.  The order has historic roots in England that trace back to 1786, with references back to 1686, the traditional year of the Revival. There are records of the conferral of this Order in the United States during the 1800’s. The Grand College of America, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests was formed in the United States in 1931. South Carolina has one Tabernacle with membership limited to 33. For the Tabernacle to consider a new member, death of one of the 33 must occur, and then only one member is allowed from any Masonic District. This means that only one Mason from all of Union and Newberry Counties can belong to this prestigious order.  Only after Brother Tollison’s death will anyone ever be considered from Union County.

 The Officers and Members of Union Lodge # 75 are very proud of Brother Tollison and wish him many more years of service to the craft.

 The New Lodge Hall

Rededication Ceremonies August 11, 2007.

The Union Masonic Temple located on the Duncan Bypass in Union, SC was built in 1957.  It was built and owned by Union Masonic Lodge # 75, Rutledge Masonic Lodge # 351, and the Union York Rite Bodies who pooled their resources to build the building. The Grand Master of Masons Most Worshipful Thomas H. Pope (deceased), who was an attorney in Newberry held a ceremony in 1958 to dedicate the building to serve the community. Humphries Willard was Worshipful Master.

In the last few years, Rutledge Lodge # 351 along with two other lodges in Union County John A. Fant # 334, and Santuc # 227 merged with Union Lodge # 75. These mergers caused the membership to increase to over 400 members.  Members of the Temple Board, (a five-member board that oversees the building and grounds) had a vision of a modern updated lodge that the members could be proud of and that could be used and serve Union County into the next century. In October 2006, the members of Union Lodge 75 and the Union York Rite Bodies approved major renovations to be made to the lodge hall including hardwood floors, ceramic tile, carpet, special lighting and new furniture including spectator seating, officer chairs and desks. The renovations were completed in early August of this year, and the end result was far beyond what was visioned and expected by everyone.  

On Saturday, August 11, 2007 the lodge was re-dedicated by the Grand Master of Masons of South Carolina, the Most Worshipful Gerald L. Carver who assisted by Grand Lodge Officers opened the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of South Carolina in Union for the purpose of re-dedication. One quote from the Grand Master described the lodge as a “ beautiful edifice”.

There were approximately 135 Masons and their families in attendance including Loyd Thompson who was present at the original dedication in 1958 and is the only surviving participant of the original dedication. 

The present Worshipful Master of Union Lodge # 75 is Robert M. Hines who is a Lt. with the Union Sheriff’s Office. 

Roger W. Gregory , Secretary Union Lodge # 75 A.F.M.

Rededication Ceremonies August 11, 2007.

The Most Worshipful Gerald L. Carver Grand Master of Masons of South Carolina opens Grand Lodge in Union Lodge # 75 A.F.M. Also seen are Right Worshipful Barry A. Rickman-Deputy Grand Master, Robert M. Hines-W.M. Union Lodge 75, Zachary Arthur-S.D. Union Lodge # 75, and M.W. Jack A. Marler-PGM-Grand Treasurer

Roger Gregory, Secretary presents the Plumb, Square and Level to M.W. Grand Master Carver and says the following:

Most Worshipful, having been entrusted with the superintendence and management of the workmen employed in the construction of this edifice, and having, according to the best of my ability, accomplished the task assigned to me, I now return my thanks for the honor of this appointment, and beg leave to surrender up the implements which were committed to my care, when the foundation of this fabric was laid, humbly hoping that the exertions which have been made on this occasion will be crowned with your approbation, and of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge.

Rededication Ceremonies August 11, 2007

Most Worshipful Brother Gerald L. Carver Grand Master of Masons of South Carolina standing with the building committee. F.Dean Tollison, Jerry A. Willard, Grady L. Lanier, G. Allen Owens, Roger W. Gregory, Absent: Gene Y. Tollison, Chris P. Sanders

Rededication Ceremonies August 11, 2007

  Jerry A. Willard 

Temple Board Member

Brother Willard was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on 12/28/95. He has served twice as worshipful master, once in 2001 for Rutledge Lodge #351 and once for Union Lodge # 75 in 2005. He is also a member of the Union York Rite Bodies having served as High Priest, Illustrious Master and Eminent Commander. Brother Willard is a Charter Member of the Scottish Rite Valley of  Rock Hill 18º, and the Scottish Rite Valley of Columbia 32°, Hejaz Shrine Temple Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Master Hillbilly of Hillbilly Clan #2, Charter Member of Piedmont Council #440 Allied Masonic Degrees (A.M.D.). AMD degrees taken: Saint Lawrence the Martyr. He is also a dual member of Spartan Council #153 A.M.D.

He is a Super Excellent Master in Union Council #5, and holds an Honorary Life Membership in Duncan Lodge #256. He is also a Knight of York in Palmetto York Rite College #70, A Knight Mason in Samuel H. Womack Council #20, Charleston Chapter #28 National Sojourners, Martha Chapter #79 OES.  He is a Super Excellent Master, Thrice Illustrious Master, Annointed High Priest and Knight Crusaders of the Cross, and a Charter Member of Palmetto Forest # 206 Tall Cedars of Lebanon of North America and has received the Sidonian Degree.

Brother Willard has been employed with BMWMC since 1995. His current position is Senior Buyer. Brother Willard is also an Instructor for the South Carolina National Guard

          Past Treasurer, James E. (Butch) Kimbrell          

Brother Kimbrell was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on 10-13-1970. A former member and Past Master of John A. Fant # 334 before they merged with Union Lodge # 75,  He is a Member of the Union York Rite Bodies having served as High Priest, Illustrious Master and Eminent Commander, a Member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Rock Hill 18º, Scottish Rite Valley of Columbia 32°, Hejaz Shrine Temple, and a  Member and Past Sovereign Master of Piedmont Council # 440 Allied Masonic Degrees.  AMD degrees taken: Architect, Grand Architect, Superintendent, Saint Lawrence the Martyr, Knight of Constantinople, Masters of Tyre, Red Branch of Eri (1^st degree Man at Arms, and 2^nd degree Esquire.)

He is a Super Excellent Master, Thrice Illustrious Master, Annointed High Priest and Knight Crusaders of the Cross. He is also a member of Palmetto Priority  # 54 Knight of the York Cross of Honor (KYCH), and  a member of South Carolina Council # 20 Knight Masons of the U.S.A., He is also a Knight of York in Palmetto York Rite College # 70, and a member of the Hejaz Shrine Temple Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and a Charter Member of Palmetto Forest # 206 Tall Cedars of Lebanon of North America.

Brother Kimbrell has the distinct honor of having served as Master of two Masonic Lodges in Union County. Both John A. Fant # 334 now extinct and Union Lodge # 75. Brother Kimbrell retired once from the South Carolina Highway Patrol achieving the rank of Sergeant over Union County. After several years of retirement, Brother Kimbrell re-joined the South Carolina Highway Patrol. He is presently working as a Trooper. 

  C. Odean Fowler

Brother Fowler was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on October 10, 1967. He has been a Mason for over 44 years having served as Worshipful Master in 1972. He is a member of the Union York Rite Bodies and has served as High Priest, Illustrious Master and Eminent Commander.  He is a Super Excellent Master in Union Council # 5 of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of South Carolina,  Member of Grand Convention of Anointed High Priest, Thrice Illustrious Master's Council, and Knight Crusaders of the Cross. He is also a member of Palmetto Priority # 54 Knight of the York Cross of Honor (KYCH) and Samuel H. Womack Council #20 Knight Masons of the USA. A member of Piedmont Council # 440 Allied Masonic Degrees (A.M.D),  a 32 degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of Hejaz Shrine Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.

  Zachary D. Arthur

Brother Arthur was raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason on 04-05-05.  He is a member of the Union York Rite Bodies where he has served as Eminent Commander, High Priest, and Illustrious Master. Brother Zack is a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Rock Hill 18º, and the Scottish Rite Valley of Columbia 32°., and is a Super Excellent Master in Union Council # 5 Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of S.C. He is also a member of  Martha Chapter  # 79 Order of the  Eastern Star,  and a Charter Member of Palmetto Forest # 206 Tall Cedars of Lebanon of North America and has received the Sidonian Degree. He is also a member of Piedmont Council #440 Allied Masonic Degrees (A.M.D.).  On Saturday WB Zack received his "Chair" Degrees and became a member of  the Grand Convention of Anointed High Priest, Thrice Illustrious Master's Council, and Knight Crusaders of the Cross. Brother Arthur served as Worshipful Master for the year 2010.