Masons hold dedication for new lodge in Liberty

LIBERTY - After meeting for nearly 150 years in Niles, the Niles Free and Accepted Masons has moved its lodge to Liberty.

"It just got to the point the old lodge couldn't be maintained any more," said Fred Boggs, Most Illustrious Grand Master, Grand Council, Royal and Select Masons of Ohio. Boggs was one of many Masonic dignitaries from around the state who attended a special dedication ceremony Sunday at the complex, 1350 Shannon Road.

James Cunningham, Past Illustrious Master of the Niles McKinley Lodge, said the fraternal organization purchased the building last year. For many years it was used as a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses.

To convert the former Kingdom Hall into a Masonic Lodge, a wall was added to separate the lobby from the meeting room and the basement was extensively repaired, Cunningham said.

"These companions did a lot of work," Boggs said.

Each of the bodies that use the hall must dedicate it to their purpose, Boggs said.

The old four-story lodge, 22 Church St. West, Niles, became too difficult to maintain for the group, which has about 75 members.

The new Liberty Masonic Complex will house Niles McKinley Lodge 794, William Farr Lodge 672, the Niles Chapter 223 Royal Arch Masons, Niles Council 130 Royal and Select Masons, Niles Commandery 79 Knights Templar, and several other bodies.

Masonic meetings are held at 7:30 p.m. the first and third Mondays with a light diner following all meetings. Dress for the meetings is business attire and open to all Master Masons. For more information, visit www.niles794.org or www.freemasons.org, or call 330-539-7532.

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