History

     The work of forming a Masonic Lodge in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles began in 1922.  Finally, in 1925, Brothers L. A. Bloom and Dr. George Saylin, were successful in obtaining a dispensation from Grand Lodge on August 7, 1925.  The first meeting of Menorah Lodge U.D. (Under Dispensation) was held on the second Wednesday, August, 1925.
    The Charter for Menorah Lodge No. 623 was granted on October 15, 1925.  Grand Master Alfred E. Boynton constituted the Lodge at the Annual Communication in 1925.  The first meeting was held at the hall of Sunset Masonic Temple at Pico Boulevard and Orchard Street.  The first appointed officers of the new Lodge were Brothers Howard H. Bean, Worshipful Master, George D. Gartler, Senior Warden, I. B. Benjamin, Junior Warden along with thirteen other Charter Members from across the USA and Canada.  Menorah Lodge first met above a theater on Brooklyn Avenue until in June, 1928 an explosion destroyed the Lodge room.  The Lodge met in different Masonic Temples, locating at America Temple on Vermont Avenue where they remained for fourteen years.  In 1946 the Lodge relocated to West Gate Temple where they stayed for fifteen happy, productive years.  After the completion of the beautiful Los Angeles Scottish Rite Temple on Wilshire Boulevard, the Lodge moved into one of its Lodge rooms where its membership increased sharply and it prospered.  It’s highest membership was 1,317 in July, 1975.  In 1991, the Lodge moved to Westchester Masonic Temple in Playa Del Rey and consolidated with Westchester United Lodge No. 572.  The name “Menorah” was chosen by the Charter Members as a name for the Lodge because of its biblical reference and signifying “The Perfect Candelabra in King Solomon’s Temple.”
     The Bible which adorns the Lodge’s altar is over 150 years old, having been presented to the Lodge by Brother and Charter Member James Robertson, P.M. and which was originally owned by his Grandfather.

WESTCHESTER LODGE No. 703

     The notion to form a Masonic Lodge in the Westchester community, which was developed during World War II from the many defense workers needed near the Los Angeles International Airport, was originated during he winter of 1947.  After first forming a Masonic Club on January 5, 1948, they petitioned Grand Lodge for a dispensation to form a new Masonic Lodge with a letter of intent on December 8, 1948.  Westchester Lodge U. D. was instituted on June 18, 1949 in the Hawthorne Masonic Temple.  Its first Stated Meeting was held in the Christian Church Chapel at 8818 Sepulveda Estuary on July 7, 1949.  They were small, cramped quarters with no indoor storage facilities.  Consequently, the risers and paraphernalia had to be carried to and fro in order to conduct Masonic business.  Westchester Lodge No. 703 was instituted on October 18, 1949 with then Grand Master Arthur Poulson conducting the ceremonies on November 3, 1949 at the Hawthorne Masonic Temple with 96 members on the rolls.  Having outgrown their Chapel location, the brethren leased a former restaurant above a drug store at 6804 Vista Del Mar in Playa Del Rey and held their first Stated Meeting at that location on March 1, 1951.  In 1961 the Lodge signed a lease option at the present location at 7726 West Manchester Avenue in Playa Del Rey.  A cornerstone laying ceremony was conducted on June 22, 1963 with Grand Master Ira Coburn presiding.
     On April 1, 1976, Westchester Lodge No. 703 consolidated with James Madison Lodge No. 572 as Westchester Madison Lodge No. 572.

     Valley Forge Lodge No. 587 was chartered on Oct. 16, 1924.  Their first meeting place was located at 3218½ South Main Street in Los Angeles.  They met there until April, 1925.  They then moved to 721 West Jefferson Boulevard where they stayed for the next ten years.  They then moved to a building on the corner of 41st Place and Figueroa and remained there until June, 1953 and then on to a building at6 5177½ West Adams Boulevard for two years.  The dream to have a building they could call “home” became a reality when they broke ground in October, 1954, for the Crenshaw Masonic Temple at 3929 Santa Rosalia Drive.  The building was dedicated in April, 1955 with five Lodge tenant-owners: Composite, Valley Forge, West Adams and Euclid Lodges, plus Golden West Chapter, RAM.  George W. Fogg was the first Master to serve in the new building.  Finally, due to circumstances which had an impact on the location of the building, Valley Forge Lodge moved to their final location in the Westchester Masonic Temple.    Valley Forge’s first Master was Charles L. W. Vocke who, after his year as Master, served the Lodge as its Secretary.  He eventually has the honorary title of Secretary Emeritus bestowed upon by his brethren.  Valley Forge Lodge celebrated its 50the anniversary in 1974 with Right Worshipful Burton Meyer, Jr., Deputy Grand Master, as the Guest of Honor and Speaker at that event.  Valley Forge Lodge No. 587 consolidated with Westchester Madison Lodge No., 572 on April 12, 1978 as Westchester United Lodge No. 572.

     West Gate Lodge No. 335 had its beginnings back in November 1898.  Its first meeting place was in a building at the corner of 4th and Hill Streets for $25 per month.  The very first Stated Meeting was held on December 1, 1898.  As membership increased and the Lodge prospered, the two hundredth member was raised on October 27, 1904.  The Lodge then moved to the new Masonic Temple at Pico and Figueroa Boulevards in 1905.   On June 7, 1906, the Lodge approved the purchase of $3,000 worth of stock in that Lodge.  The membership growth at that time was spiraling and prompted a group of members to receive permission to form another Lodge in Los Angeles which was given on May 10, 1922.  The new Lodge became Loyalty Lodge.  Of the 25 signatures required for approval, 24 were from members of West Gate Lodge.  The laying of the cornerstone for the new home of West Gate Lodge No. 335 was on 1926.  It was located at 1308 South New Hampshire Street.  Grand Master Will H. Fischer served as Installing Officer at the first meeting and installation of officers on April 5, 1926.  The Lodge Room was beautiful and ornate and rivaled Lodge Rooms everywhere at that time.  Again, West Gate Lodge experienced spectacular growth.  On November 26, 1926 the eight-hundredth member was made a Master Mason and on January 26, 1931, the nine-hundredth member was raised.  In addition to Loyalty Lodge being formed principally by West Gate members, Tila Pass Lodge No. 797 was instituted by some of its members, its membership being made up mostly of Philippine Islanders living in Los Angeles.  Macabee Lodge No. 823, made up of San Gabriel Valley residents, was also formed by members of West Gate Lodge in October, 1965.  During the years at the New Hampshire Temple, West Gate Lodge raised an average of 45 Master Masons each year.  The years and changing demographics prompted the Lodge leadership to seek a more central and appealing location.  In December, 1966, West Gate Lodge moved into the new Scottish Rite Masonic Temple on Wilshire boulevard.  They still owned the building on New Hampshire which was still being leased to tenants and still making a profit.  When the Scottish Rite Building was closed in 1993, the Lodge moved to West Los Angeles Masonic Temple on Barrington Avenue.  As we know, the decades of the seventies and eighties saw a sharp decline in new membership for not only Masonry, but all fraternal organizations.  Finally, in July 1994, Loyalty Lodge and West Gate Lodge from which it came, consolidated to form West Gate Loyalty Lodge No. 529.  Please click here to visit a site dedicated to the history of The West Gate Temple and Ballroom.