Bill Text: VA SJR22 | 2020 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Fairfax Masonic Lodge No. 43.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 2-1)
Status: (Passed) 2020-01-13 - Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ22ER) [SJR22 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2020-SJR22-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, for 225 years, Fairfax Masonic Lodge No. 43 of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons has enabled its members to serve the community and make positive contributions to life in Culpeper; and
WHEREAS, on November 27, 1794, Philip Roots Thompson, Birket Davenport, and Philip Lightfoot filed a petition with the Grand Lodge of Virginia of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons requesting the formation of a Masonic lodge in Culpeper; and
WHEREAS, the charter for Fairfax Masonic Lodge No. 43 was signed by the future Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States John Marshall, and Philip Roots Thompson was installed as the first worshipful master of the new lodge; and
WHEREAS, the members of Fairfax Masonic Lodge No. 43 originally met in the home of Benjamin Shackleford on what is now Main Street; and
WHEREAS, by 1799, Fairfax Masonic Lodge No. 43 had raised sufficient funds to build a Masonic temple at the intersection of North Main Street and West Davis Street; the new building was the site of numerous meetings over the years and hosted a visit from the Marquis de Lafayette; and
WHEREAS, Fairfax Masonic Lodge No. 43 has played an active role in the community throughout its history and even hosted sporadic meetings during the Civil War, with Confederate and Union soldiers attending together under a flag of truce; and
WHEREAS, despite the loss of several members and all but one of its officers, Fairfax Masonic Lodge No. 43 resumed regular meetings after the Civil War, and important lodge records and property that had been looted during the war were ultimately safeguarded by fellow Masons and returned years later; and
WHEREAS, in 1900, Fairfax Masonic Lodge No. 43 purchased land from Mary and Charles Chelf at the intersection of East Davis Street and East Street and laid the cornerstone for its current Masonic temple, which has been in continuous use for more than 100 years; and
WHEREAS, Fairfax Masonic Lodge No. 43 has also supported Fairfax Royal Arch Chapter No. 13 and Fairfax Commandery No. 25 through the use of its temple, which has been the site of many fraternal meetings and community events; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Fairfax Masonic Lodge No. 43 on the occasion of its 225th anniversary; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Douglas R. Lingenfelter, worshipful master of Fairfax Masonic Lodge No. 43, as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the organization's unique history and long legacy of service to the Culpeper community.
