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Masonic Temple rededication begins new chapter for local lodge

By
Mavis Fodness

Saturday marks a milestone for the local Masonic Temple.
At a 5 p.m. rededication ceremony, the Ben Franklin Lodge No. 114 members will shed some light on the world’s oldest fraternity. The ceremony is open to the public.
The Ancient Free and Accepted Masons were reorganized in the early 1700s as a way to share and pass on the philosophies of stone masons to future generations.
Bryce Stoltenberg has been the local lodge’s leader for the past four years. He sees Saturday’s rededication as a chance to lift some of the mystery surrounding the masons group.
“I want to bring Masonry back to the community and make a more vibrant organization for the entire family to join and enjoy,” he said.
The Ben Franklin Lodge has had more than 700 members from Luverne and the surrounding area in the past 141 years.
“Our roster is full of well-known leaders from our area as well as less-known people like myself,” Stoltenberg said.
Through the centuries the Masons moved away from teaching stone-working skills to emphasize and demonstrate the morals of tolerance, respect, kindness and charity within their communities. The mystery around the Masons has continued due to the ancient stance of not talking about the organization.
Stoltenberg also wants to change that perception.
“It’s been mostly a quiet organization for the past 20 years here in Rock County,” he said. “We have the opportunity to revitalize it if the community wants to get on board.”
Earlier this month the Masonic Temple was purchased back from the Rock County Historical Society, which had used the building for museum space for the past 20 years.
Now with access to a larger meeting space Stoltenberg is leading a charge to open the Temple’s doors to non-profit organizations needing a meeting space.
The Luverne native’s childhood memories of the Masons Temple was as “a looming building that no one entered.”
Under his guidance the Temple building could be a busy place.
Stoltenberg’s idea of a meeting place for local organizations doesn’t exist in the Mason organization and is supported by the Grand Lodge.
“The rededication is the kick-off of a new generation of Masons here at Ben Franklin Lodge,” he said.
Local lodge members presented more than $31,000 to local organizations in the past five years and more than $38,000 in scholarships in the past seven years, Stoltenberg said.
As membership increases, Stoltenberg anticipates the local organization giving out even more dollars in the future.
For more information about the Masons organization contact Stoltenberg at 507-283-4999.

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