Yes, There Are Freemasons In Madison!

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One of the oldest continuously operating organization in Morris County, Madison Masonic Lodge was founded in 1868. At that time, Chatham Township included all of what is now Chatham Borough, Chatham Township, Bottle Hill (now Madison Borough) and Broom Town (today’s Florham Park).

From early farming roots the area began to expand rapidly after the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad laid track for the Morristown Line to Hoboken in the 1850s. Following the end of the Civil War, in 1865, all these towns grew rapidly and have been centers of commerce and learning, as well as homes to a variety of industries important to New Jersey. Madison Masons have included men in virtually all sectors of activity.

The Lodge was founded by area Masons who were members of other Lodges already established in New Jersey. The first members all originally had moved West from the New York City area then, as now, a major port of entry into America. All were immigrants or descendants of immigrants who came principally from Europe. Like today’s Masons, they included men of many professions and trades and from rich and varied backgrounds.

Also typical of America’s earliest settlers, they belonged to a variety of religions, and many came here to escape religious prejudice, and even persecution, in their home countries. The receptivity of the Masonic Fraternity to religious tolerance has been one of its hallmarks since the sixteenth century. This Lodge welcomed all and still does.

Some commentators on Freemasonry refer to it as a “Secret Society.” That perception has its roots in the fact that, in many European countries, Masons were persecuted for their conception that all religions were worthy of dignity and respect and that none should hold itself above all others. That proved a dangerous position in countries with an official religion and made meeting in secrecy essential to personal survival. Lodges in America and Canada meet in buildings which prominently display the iconic Square & Compasses emblem and display signs identifying them as Masonic Lodges. The same is true in hundreds of countries, but not in all.

Madison Lodge got its name not from its location but was chosen by its founders to honor James Madison, the fourth President of the United States, who died in 1836. He was one of the authors of the Federalist Papers and was hailed as the Father of the Constitution,

There is a rich history in Madison Lodge and in the historic building it has occupied for the last ninety years, the former First Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township, at 170 Main Street. In the coming months articles will illustrate more of the history of the Lodge and its members, and the ways in which they have served their adopted communities.

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