| West Memphis F. & A.M.Lodge # 737 |
| History |
On November 22, 1944 M.W. Grand Master D.F. Ludwick of the Grand Lodge of Arkansas
F.&A.M. granted dispensation to form West Memphis Lodge # 737.
The first meeting of the West Memphis #737 (U.D.) was held at the West Memphis
Community House. The Community House (torn down in 1964) was located near the corner
of N. Missouri St. and S. Worthington at the site presently occupied by the Boys Club. The
meeting was called to order by M.W. Grand Secretary Woodlief A. Thomas (Past G.M). The
brothers in attendance (all from various lodges and all being M.M.) for the first meeting were
Doyne Dodd, Atlee Harris, Artie Wallace, T.H. McGough, William P. Patton, Rowland C.
Breese, Claude Jordon, H.E. Murphee, William H. Howze, T.F. Bennett, R.E. Craig, and W.
A. Thomas.
On December 14, 1944 Lodge officers were elected as follows:
Worshipful Master: Doyne Dodd
Senior Warden: H. E. Murphree
Junior Warden: Atlee Harris
Treasurer: George C. Jordon (elected in 1945)
Secretary: T.H. McGough
Senior Deacon: Rowland Breese (elected in 1945)
Junior Deacon: William P. Patten (elected in 1945)
Tyler: Taylor F. Bennett (elected in 1945)
Chaplain: J. Kenneth Shamblin (elected in 1945)
On November 21, 1945 The Charter was delivered by Right Worshipful District Deputy
Grand Master W.W. Ellis.
The Charter Members of West Memphis Lodge # 737 F.&A.M.:
Doyne Dodd Charles J. Upton Artie Wallace
Roy E. Burch W.K. Ingram T.H. McGough
J.K. Shamblin W.P. Patten B.C. Bruce
H.E. Murphree Lewis Aspray F.F. Bennett
M.W. Hightshoe, Sr. J.G. Freeman P.N. Johnson
E.C. Gathings C.C. Gordon V.V. Fuller
F.E. Arnett Atlee Harris H.R. McKie
J.P. Wilson W.S. Cole
M.W. Hightshoe Jr.
On January 22, 1946 the Lodge secures the attic over Chalmers Motor Company at 401 ½
Broadway for use as its Temple.
On March 9, 1948 a committee is formed to research a new building to house the Lodge. By
November 23, 1948 a fund is started to obtain a site at what is now 309 N. Missouri St. but it
was not very successful. But on September 5, 1952 Brother H.E. Manning announces he plans
to furnish the building material at no cost and no profit to himself. A motion was then made
and passed that the Worshipful Master ask each member how much he would give toward
building the new Lodge . The pledges of that meeting totaled $5225.00 and cornerstone was
laid on November 12, 1952. We still use this building 52 years later and are very thankful to
our brothers, past and present for all they have done and continue to do.
F.&A.M. granted dispensation to form West Memphis Lodge # 737.
The first meeting of the West Memphis #737 (U.D.) was held at the West Memphis
Community House. The Community House (torn down in 1964) was located near the corner
of N. Missouri St. and S. Worthington at the site presently occupied by the Boys Club. The
meeting was called to order by M.W. Grand Secretary Woodlief A. Thomas (Past G.M). The
brothers in attendance (all from various lodges and all being M.M.) for the first meeting were
Doyne Dodd, Atlee Harris, Artie Wallace, T.H. McGough, William P. Patton, Rowland C.
Breese, Claude Jordon, H.E. Murphee, William H. Howze, T.F. Bennett, R.E. Craig, and W.
A. Thomas.
On December 14, 1944 Lodge officers were elected as follows:
Worshipful Master: Doyne Dodd
Senior Warden: H. E. Murphree
Junior Warden: Atlee Harris
Treasurer: George C. Jordon (elected in 1945)
Secretary: T.H. McGough
Senior Deacon: Rowland Breese (elected in 1945)
Junior Deacon: William P. Patten (elected in 1945)
Tyler: Taylor F. Bennett (elected in 1945)
Chaplain: J. Kenneth Shamblin (elected in 1945)
On November 21, 1945 The Charter was delivered by Right Worshipful District Deputy
Grand Master W.W. Ellis.
The Charter Members of West Memphis Lodge # 737 F.&A.M.:
Doyne Dodd Charles J. Upton Artie Wallace
Roy E. Burch W.K. Ingram T.H. McGough
J.K. Shamblin W.P. Patten B.C. Bruce
H.E. Murphree Lewis Aspray F.F. Bennett
M.W. Hightshoe, Sr. J.G. Freeman P.N. Johnson
E.C. Gathings C.C. Gordon V.V. Fuller
F.E. Arnett Atlee Harris H.R. McKie
J.P. Wilson W.S. Cole
M.W. Hightshoe Jr.
On January 22, 1946 the Lodge secures the attic over Chalmers Motor Company at 401 ½
Broadway for use as its Temple.
On March 9, 1948 a committee is formed to research a new building to house the Lodge. By
November 23, 1948 a fund is started to obtain a site at what is now 309 N. Missouri St. but it
was not very successful. But on September 5, 1952 Brother H.E. Manning announces he plans
to furnish the building material at no cost and no profit to himself. A motion was then made
and passed that the Worshipful Master ask each member how much he would give toward
building the new Lodge . The pledges of that meeting totaled $5225.00 and cornerstone was
laid on November 12, 1952. We still use this building 52 years later and are very thankful to
our brothers, past and present for all they have done and continue to do.
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