A brief history of Observance Lodge:
The minutes of Observance Lodge show that names were gathered in
1915 for gentlemen that wanted to form a new lodge in Nashville, TN.
On January 1, 1916, it is written in the minutes that Observance
Lodge would start with 43 members. Some would be new masons
and some would maintain affiliations with other lodges.
On February 10, 1916, the GM of Tennessee presided and was pleased
to announce that Observance Lodge, U.D. (Under Dispensation) would
be open for the purpose of receiving it's dispensation. About
one year later on February 28, 1917, it was announced that the
charter for Observance Lodge #686 had been issued.
The meetings of Observance Lodge during 1916 were held at
Cumberland Lodge. It
is not clear whether the two lodges met together or if Observance
merely met in Cumberland's building. Most likely, Cumberland
was kind enough to allow Observance to use their facilities when not
in use by Cumberland.
Around 1926, an arrangement was made with the
Scottish Rite Valley of
Nashville for Observance to meet at what is now known as the
Grand Lodge of Tennessee Building. At the time, it was a
Scottish Rite
building later to be purchased by the GL of TN.
Observance has been meeting on the third Thursday of the month in
the same building and room for over 80 years.
For more information about Observance Lodge or
Freemasonry in general, please feel free to visit us for dinner on a
Thursday night.
