A Called Communication of DeMolay Masonic Lodge No. 199, A.F. & A.M., was opened at 8:15 AM on Saturday, June 26, 2004, for the purpose of restoring the Charter of a Lodge long demised.

The following Master Masons participated in the opening of the Lodge:

Visitors attending the opening of the Lodge were Paul W. Adkins, Past Master of Randolph Masonic Lodge No. 1268, and Cecil W. Bain, Past Master of Albert Pike Lodge No. 1169 and District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District 39-B.

The Lodge was immediately called from labor to refreshment at 8:25 AM and a Representation of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas was duly opened. See attached form for officers participating in the opening of the Grand Lodge Representation.

DeMolay Masonic Lodge Lodge No. 199 was presented with a Charter authorizing it to work (see attached). Grand Master Reese L. Harrison, Jr., noted that this Charter was being restored after the demise of DeMolay Masonic Lodge in 1866. Grand Master Harrison proclaimed the Charter of DeMolay Masonic Lodge No. 199 restored and relocated from Gonzales County to Bexar County, Texas, and assigned to Masonic District 39-C.

Certificates of good standing were received for 14 petitioners wishing to restore the Charter of and affiliate with DeMolay Lodge No. 199 as either dual or plural members. These members are not Charter Members of the Lodge, as the Lodge Charter is being restored and it is not a new Lodge Charter.

Grand Master Reese L. Harrison, Jr., recommended that DeMolay Lodge obtain a plaque listing the original Past Masters of the Lodge from its inception on January 21, 1857, to its demise in 1866. The plaque should note the original location of the Lodge in Gonzales, Texas, and its removal to Bexar County upon restoration of the charter in 2004 with a continuation of the list of Past Masters of the Lodge in Bexar County.

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS:

Grand Master Reese L. Harrison, Jr., installed the following officers in due form with the assistance of Paul W. Adkins acting as Installing Marshal:

Grand Master Harrison announced that he was directing the District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District 39-C to make an official visit to the Lodge at its September stated communication.

Marshal Mark E. Williams will be installed at a later date.

The Representation of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas was duly closed at 9:00 AM.

DeMolay Masonic Lodge No. 199 was duly called from refreshment to labor at 9:10 AM.

Worshipful Master Gerald F. Nowotny presented the Lodge by-laws for consideration. Junior Warden Everett E. Williams moved for their adoption. The motion was seconded by Master of Ceremonies Charles M. Stewart and the by-laws were approved unanimously.

Discussion was held on the necessity of purchasing Masonic paraphernalia such as jewels, aprons, a funeral kit, etc.

The Lodge mailing address will be the Scottish Rite’s post office box:

DeMolay Masonic Lodge No. 199
P.O. Box 2239
San Antonio, TX 78298-2239

Treasurer Larry G. Wallis was asked to open a bank account for DeMolay Lodge No. 199. Signatures on the bank account will be Worshipful Master Gerald F. Nowotny, Senior Warden Reese L. Harrison, Jr., Secretary James A. Rodriguez and Treasurer Larry G. Wallis.

Grand Master Reese L. Harrison, Jr., noted the existence of Jacques DeMolay Masonic Lodge No. 1390 in Houston, Texas. During the 150th Anniversary of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas in 1987, a set of commemorative plates were produced with Lodge numbers. Individuals were allowed to purchase the plates with numbers of demised Lodges, and the Grand Master purchased plate number 199. He will bring it to the Scottish Rite to be put on display.

A discussion was held regarding the number of Master Masons needed to restore the Charter of a Lodge long demised. The Grand Master has the authority to restore a Charter with at least 7 Master Masons.

The Grand Master noted that the goal of DeMolay Masonic Lodge No. 199 is not to initiate new Master Masons. DeMolays will be encouraged to join other Masonic Lodges in order to contribute their talents and then affiliate with DeMolay Masonic Lodge for additional fellowship.

A letter will be sent next week from the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas to the District Deputy Grand Masters announcing the restoration of DeMolay Lodge No. 199 and assigning the Lodge to Masonic District 39-C. Currently, Masonic District 39-A has nine Lodges and Masonic District 39-B has eight Lodges. Masonic District 39-C will now have nine Lodge with the addition of DeMolay Lodge. The Grand Master is interested in restoring Cibolo Masonic Lodge No. 151 and placing the Lodge in Masonic District 39-B to even the number of Lodges in each of the three Masonic Districts numbered thirty-nine.

The Grand Master noted that a resolution is being submitted before the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas in December 2004 which would effectively remove the power of the Grand Master to restore a Lodge charter by requiring a majority vote of all Lodges in those Masonic Districts before the new Lodge can be restored.

Grand Master Harrison requested that Secretary James A. Rodriguez create a website for the Lodge and to have it hosted on the website of Albert Pike Chapter No. 58, Order of DeMolay, and that it be modeled after the template for the website of Albert Pike Masonic Lodge No. 1169 to include all of the types of items which are on the latter website.

Worshipful Master Gerald F. Nowotny expressed his hope that the Lodge would promote fellowship. The Stewards will be charged with the duty of determining a place to eat following meetings of the Lodge.

The next meeting of DeMolay Lodge No. 199 will be on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 at 7:00 PM at the Scottish Rite Cathedral with dinner at a restaurant to follow.

No further business appearing, the Worshipful Master closed the Lodge in due form at 10:00 AM, peace and harmony prevailing.                                               

Respectfully submitted,
James A. Rodriguez, PM
Secretary

ATTEST:
Gerald F. Nowotny, PM
Worshipful Master