The Masonic Club of the Third American Army and Rhode Island Overseas Lodge
Image courtesy of the National World War 1 Museum and Memorial
Image courtesy of the National World War 1 Museum and Memorial
On Tuesday evening, 7 January, 1919, forty-five brethren of the Third American Army assembled in the office of the Assistant-Provost Marshal in Coblenz, Germany, to discuss the formation of a Masonic club.
News of the new club spread rapidly, and on the second meeting on 13 January, almost one hundred brethren had registered as members.
After intervention by Major Winfred S. Solomon, permanent rooms were rented for club purposes at Number 6 Lohrrondell and opened on Sunday, 9 February, 1919.
Meetings were held on Mondays in the Festhalle.
The club contained European editions of American and English newspapers, local army newspapers, magazines & games and over 200 books. Free cigars and cigarettes were provided as well as a writing room supplied with club paper. Telephones gave connections to both the American and German exchanges.
Requirements for membership were an official credential and a fee of 20 Marks (about $2). No brother was denied membership if he was unable to pay the membership fee. There were no dues. Membership grew so quickly that a larger meeting hall was needed.
The Kaiser Realgymnasium was secured.
Average meeting attendance was about 400. Many prominent speakers addressed the club. Notification cards were sent to the home lodge of all members. Many of these cards were the only news families had of the members whose welfare and location had been unknown to them.
The Club inquired about members at the request of blue lodges and decorated graves of the war dead.
On 15 March, 1919, the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island granted a dispensation for Overseas Lodge U.D. The charter being signed by 22 Master Masons from the camp.
Meetings were held at the Freimaurerlodge, the German Masonic Temple in Coblenz.
On 17 April, 1919 a Scottish Rite Service or Feast of the Paschal Lamb was held.
The club attended Divine Service of Ascension on Sunday, 1 June, 1919 at the Royal Palace Church.
When the club closed its doors on 31 July, 1919, there were 3,204 members, including George F. Tanguy, member of Hollywood Lodge No. 355.
The remaining club monies were contributed to Masonic widows and orphan funds.
Freimaurerlodge, Coblenz. Photo courtesy of the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island, 1919.
Photo courtesy of Scott Denniss
American Forces in Germany, Coblenz, Germany, 1920.
