Granby man finds satisfaction in link with Masons
Source: MassLive
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
By SANDRA E. CONSTANTINE
GRANBY - When it comes to doing work with the Masons, the service group runs in Charles Ferguson's blood.
A 50-year member of the Mount Holyoke Lodge of Masons in South Hadley, Ferguson talked about his involement with the group recently at his home in Granby on Cold Hill. He joined the fraternal group to follow in the footsteps of his brother, Daniel D. Ferguson. His brother was a member of the lodge when Ferguson joined the organization.
Later, Ferguson's two sons, Peter C. and Karl F., followed his example by joining the Masons. Peter is a member of the Vernon Lodge in Belchertown, where he is the secretary. Karl is senior deacon of the Mount Holyoke Lodge.
lthough he continued to pay dues, Ferguson said he was not very active in the Masons during a 10-year stretch about 30 years ago during which he was in the Air National Guard. He served in France and Libya.
However, he credits his sons, who are both in their 40s, with getting him more interested in recent years in taking part in the organization's activities. Ferguson has been chaplain of the Mount Holyoke Lodge since October.
"I like it. It's got spiritual overtones to it," Ferguson said of serving as chaplain.
As part of that, Ferguson says prayers at meetings and takes part in funeral services for Masons if it is requested.
Ferguson said he has always been a goodwill ambassador for the Masons and has been recognized over the years as a member of the group by wearing the ring and emblem given to members.
The Granby man was recently awarded the 50-Year Veterans Medal by Ronald E. Jackson, past deputy grand master, on behalf of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.
Freemasonry is the largest and oldest fraternal group in the world. The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was founded in 1733 and is the third-oldest Grand Lodge in the world. The Mount Holyoke Lodge was chartered in 1869. Prior to that, Masons living in South Hadley had to cross the Connecticut River by boat to attend meetings at the Mount Tom Lodge in Holyoke, as there were no bridges connecting the communities.
The South Hadley lodge was first started in an old school building on School Street and has been in six locations in town over the last 139 years. It is now located at 15 N. Main St. in South Hadley, where it has been since 1914.
Membership in the Masons is open to all men 18 and older regardless of race or religion. The Mount Holyoke Lodge meets the first Thursday of the month. For more information, call Robert St. George, master of the South Hadley lodge, at (413) 529-1914 or its secretary, Ronald E. Jackson, at (413) 533-5414.