Masonic Lodge #7
The old lodge building adjacent to the Chuckatuck library is still in use by Bethel Lodge No. 7. This lodge was chartered in 1974 with Brother Roosevelt Jones and sixteen other members, who were granted permission to charter Bethel after demitting from Israel Lodge of Portsmouth, Virginia. Brother Roosevelt Jones was the first Worshipful Master. This lodge continues to progress today. The principles of Lodge No. 7 are the same as those of any Masonic lodge as listed above.
The sixteen members of Bethel Lodge No 7 are: Walter L. Jones Sr., Earle Townsend, Calvin Diggs, William Mason, Benjamin Goodman, Eugene Goodman, Nelson Turner, Willie Turner, Larry Turner, Raymond Young, Charles Turner, Roosevelt Jones, Benford Williams, Earnest Sharpe, Horace Sharpe and David Ward. In the words of Brother Roosevelt Jones, “Our purpose is to promote manhood, submit to the widows, police the neighborhood, volunteer and be charitable, and for many years around Christmas and Thanksgiving, our goal is to make families throughout the community have Christmas and Thanksgiving”.
Masonic Lodge #53
Masonic Lodge Number 53 was started in Chuckatuck in 1797. “A Mason (or Freemason) is a member of a fraternity known as Masonry (or Freemasonry). These men have joined together because 1) there are things they want to do in the world, 2) there are things they want to do “inside their minds,” and 3) they enjoy being together with men they like and respect. Masonry teaches some important principles: Since God is the Creator, all men and women are the children of God, Each person must take responsibility for his/her own life and actions, and no one has the right to tell another person what he or she must think or believe, Each person must learn and practice self-control, Faith must be in the center of our lives, Each person has a responsibility to be a good citizen, obeying the law, It is important to work to make this world better for all who live in it, and Honor and integrity are essential to life”. (These principles came from the Mason website.)
Masons, like many civic organizations, give back to the communities they live in. The following information comes from a History of Chuckatuck Excerpts from Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Virginia from 1777 to 1823 Volume 1 by John Dove G.C. (borrowed from the Library of the College of William and Mary), compiled by J.S. Kirk, March 11, 1962, which is on file at the GCHF. Additional information came from Ronnie Cates, Secretary of Lodge No. 77. It was resolved at a meeting at the Grand Lodge of Virginia in Richmond on the 29th of November, 1797 “That a charter do issue, appointing John Holliday, Master; Scarsbrook Godwin, Senior Warden, and John Godwin, Junior Warden, to hold a regular Lodge in Chuckatuck, in the County of Nansemond, to be designated by the name of the Chuckatuck Lodge No. 53.” This lodge continued until 1848, at which time it was suspended.
On January 20th, 1852 Chuckatuck Lodge was issued a new charter as Chuckatuck No. 77. Meetings were held in the Masonic Lodge located adjacent to the Chuckatuck Grammar School, and this building remains in that same location today but has taken on different tasks since Masonic Lodge No. 77 joined with two other lodges in the Bennett’s Pasture area. In June 1992, a committee was appointed to investigate the possibility of a merger between Chuckatuck Lodge No. 77, Harmony No. 149, and Hiram No. 340. The investigation committee determined that a merger of these three lodges was in the best interest of Masonry in general and recommended it. The new lodge would have approximately 270 members, a strong line of officers, and the resources to build a new Temple. This merger was approved, and Nansemond Lodge moved into its new Temple on Lee Farm Lane in Bennett’s Creek in December 1996. This lodge, although located outside the Greater Chuckatuck Historical Foundation area, continues to be an important part of the community.
Eastern Star Aspara #43
Aspara Chapter #43 was established on June 15, 1973, in the Oakland area. They are a chapter of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Adoption International Jurisdiction, Inc.
The following excerpt is taken from the Internet: “About Order of the Eastern Star”
“Eastern Star is a social order comprised of persons with spiritual values, but it is not a religion. Its appeal rests in the true beauty of the refreshing and character-building lessons that are so sincerely portrayed in its ritualistic work. A deep fraternal bond exists between its members. It is the wholesome relationship of sisterly and brotherly love brought about through high principles exemplified in our lives that makes us near and dear to each other.
While this is an Order composed of people of deep spiritual convictions, it is open to all faiths, except no faith. The personal welfare of our members is vital to all those in the Eastern Star, and it is considered a privilege to help another member whenever possible.
Purposes: The stated purposes of the organization are: Charitable, Educational, Fraternal, and Scientific, but there is much more to it than that. Dr. Rob Morris, the Poet Laureate of Masonry, founded the Order using beautiful and inspiring Biblical examples of heroic conduct and moral values. These portray the noble principles that should adorn the personal lives of Eastern Star members. Eastern Star strives to take good people and, through uplifting and elevating associations of love and service, and through precept and example, build an Order which is truly dedicated to charity, truth and loving kindness.”
The original members of Aspara # 43 were Sister Harriet Jones, Sister Mae Harper, Sister Annie Townsend, Sister Elizabeth Townsend, Sister Ethel Townsend, Sister Deloris Townsend, Sister Barbara Artist, Sister Vernetta Diggs, Sister Nazarine Williams, Sister Catherine Jones, Brother Roosevelt Jones, Sister Geraldine Townsend, Sister Jacquelyn Williams and Sister Mary Pritchard.
Their meetings were held in the Odd Fellows Hall, located on Highway 10, near Birch Lane. This was an ancient building and was in a state of disrepair. However, Saunders Supply Company provided materials to assist them until they could find a new location to meet. In 1995, they moved into the old Masonic Lodge #53 building, adjacent to Saunders Supply, which now houses Masonic Lodge #7 and Aspara #43.
Social Services would provide them with the names of families that needed support, and in turn, they would provide food and clothing for them. During Christmas and Thanksgiving, they would draw names from the Angel Trees to receive support from the Order. They volunteer with the local volunteer fire department to assist during the fish fry events. They also offer scholarships for local students to attend colleges across multiple states. As a charity organization, they strive to give help wherever it is needed.