McKinney Masonic Lodge
HISTORY OF ST. JOHN'S LODGE IS GIVEN
McKinney Daily Courier Gazette Centennial Edition October 11, 1946
by Bill Proctor
On January 24, 1850, St. Johns Lodge No. 51, received its charter, from the grand lodge of Texas, authorizing it to organize and set up into working order, a Masonic lodge to be known as St. John's No. 51, with the following charter members: Harrison G. Hendricks, Langdon C. Searcy, E. T. Berry, Leonard Searcy, Samuel Bogart, Joseph M. Bounds, G. A. Foote, William Fitzhugh.
The first Masonic Lodge in McKinney was located over a School house on the block of land now owned by Mrs. F. B. Pope and the Baptist Church on the corner of Church, Louisiana and Virginia streets.
The Masons of Collin County are especially proud of their heritage and of the part its members have had in making this a great state, a great county, and the best little town in Texas.
We are especially proud to be numbered with men like Collin McKinney, a signer of the Declaration of Independence for Texas. And for whom Collin County and McKinney received its name.
Collin McKinney was a member of Mantua Lodge No. 209, located about one and one-half miles Southwest of Van Alstyne, Texas. He was treasurer of that lodge from June 22nd, 1858 to 1891 (sic), the time of his death.
In 1940 by permission of the late Tom. W. Perkins, then mayor of McKinney, we were permitted to take from the home of Collin McKinney, now located in the city park of McKinney, enough timber from one of the rafters of the old home to make three gavels. One of these gavels was given to the Grand Lodge of Texas, to be placed in its museum of antiques, one was given to their Grand Master W. Leo Hart of Gilmer, Texas, when he layed the corner stone to our City Hospital. And one was given to the late Tom W. Perkins.
St. Johns Lodge is proud to boast of its early members, who were the builders of McKinney. Among them was its first Master Harrison G. Hendricks. And the following who have served as Master of St. Johns lodge:
Dr. G. A. Foote, 1885, an outstanding doctor of his time.
Judge Thos C. Goodner, 1872, a well known beloved active Mason.
Wm. P. Cloyd, 1875, a Presbyterian minister, an active Mason.
John W. Hamilton, 1882, an outstanding contractor in those days.
Dr. T. W. Wylie, 1888, one of the oldest surgeons of Collin County.
S. J. B. Plemmons, 1890, owner and operator of the first stage coach line in Collin County.
W. M. Abernathy, 1896, one of the best known lawyers of North Texas and fire chief for many years.
Howell E. Smith, 1900, a well known banker and active Mason; helped organize McKinney Commandery No. 34, Knights Templar.
W. R. Abernathy, 1902, and outstanding lawyer and active Mason.
Hamp S. Wysong, 1906, outstanding banker and financier; helped organize Melissa Lodge and is the oldest living past Master of St. Johns Lodge No. 51.
J. H. Hill, 1911, an active Mason. J. H. Hill School was name for him.
Chester May, 1922-23, well known in McKinney; at present vice president of Lone Star Gas Company, Dallas, Texas.
G. C. Ford, 1927, was a Methodist minister; never missed a meeting as long as he was able to go.
These are just a few of the past Masters. There are many others too numerous to mention.
Governor Throckmorton was a member of St. Johns Lodge and his statue now stands on the Court House lawn.
Through the efforts of St. Johns Lodge No. 51, many crippled children have been sent to the Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas, where they received treatment that could not be had any other place.
We are proud of the three cornerstones laid in McKinney by the Grand Lodge of Texas, namely; The Collin County Courthouse, the Christian Church and the City Hospital. St. Johns lodge has a membership of 350, with C. J. Young, its present Master. We congratulate McKinney on her Centennial Celebration. And wish for her and her people another 100 years of peace, happiness, friendship and prosperity. That can only be attained through Christian living and brotherly love.
St. Johns Lodge No. 51
McKinney, Texas.
McKinney Daily Courier Gazette Centennial Edition October 11, 1946
by Bill Proctor
On January 24, 1850, St. Johns Lodge No. 51, received its charter, from the grand lodge of Texas, authorizing it to organize and set up into working order, a Masonic lodge to be known as St. John's No. 51, with the following charter members: Harrison G. Hendricks, Langdon C. Searcy, E. T. Berry, Leonard Searcy, Samuel Bogart, Joseph M. Bounds, G. A. Foote, William Fitzhugh.
The first Masonic Lodge in McKinney was located over a School house on the block of land now owned by Mrs. F. B. Pope and the Baptist Church on the corner of Church, Louisiana and Virginia streets.
The Masons of Collin County are especially proud of their heritage and of the part its members have had in making this a great state, a great county, and the best little town in Texas.
We are especially proud to be numbered with men like Collin McKinney, a signer of the Declaration of Independence for Texas. And for whom Collin County and McKinney received its name.
Collin McKinney was a member of Mantua Lodge No. 209, located about one and one-half miles Southwest of Van Alstyne, Texas. He was treasurer of that lodge from June 22nd, 1858 to 1891 (sic), the time of his death.
In 1940 by permission of the late Tom. W. Perkins, then mayor of McKinney, we were permitted to take from the home of Collin McKinney, now located in the city park of McKinney, enough timber from one of the rafters of the old home to make three gavels. One of these gavels was given to the Grand Lodge of Texas, to be placed in its museum of antiques, one was given to their Grand Master W. Leo Hart of Gilmer, Texas, when he layed the corner stone to our City Hospital. And one was given to the late Tom W. Perkins.
St. Johns Lodge is proud to boast of its early members, who were the builders of McKinney. Among them was its first Master Harrison G. Hendricks. And the following who have served as Master of St. Johns lodge:
Dr. G. A. Foote, 1885, an outstanding doctor of his time.
Judge Thos C. Goodner, 1872, a well known beloved active Mason.
Wm. P. Cloyd, 1875, a Presbyterian minister, an active Mason.
John W. Hamilton, 1882, an outstanding contractor in those days.
Dr. T. W. Wylie, 1888, one of the oldest surgeons of Collin County.
S. J. B. Plemmons, 1890, owner and operator of the first stage coach line in Collin County.
W. M. Abernathy, 1896, one of the best known lawyers of North Texas and fire chief for many years.
Howell E. Smith, 1900, a well known banker and active Mason; helped organize McKinney Commandery No. 34, Knights Templar.
W. R. Abernathy, 1902, and outstanding lawyer and active Mason.
Hamp S. Wysong, 1906, outstanding banker and financier; helped organize Melissa Lodge and is the oldest living past Master of St. Johns Lodge No. 51.
J. H. Hill, 1911, an active Mason. J. H. Hill School was name for him.
Chester May, 1922-23, well known in McKinney; at present vice president of Lone Star Gas Company, Dallas, Texas.
G. C. Ford, 1927, was a Methodist minister; never missed a meeting as long as he was able to go.
These are just a few of the past Masters. There are many others too numerous to mention.
Governor Throckmorton was a member of St. Johns Lodge and his statue now stands on the Court House lawn.
Through the efforts of St. Johns Lodge No. 51, many crippled children have been sent to the Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas, where they received treatment that could not be had any other place.
We are proud of the three cornerstones laid in McKinney by the Grand Lodge of Texas, namely; The Collin County Courthouse, the Christian Church and the City Hospital. St. Johns lodge has a membership of 350, with C. J. Young, its present Master. We congratulate McKinney on her Centennial Celebration. And wish for her and her people another 100 years of peace, happiness, friendship and prosperity. That can only be attained through Christian living and brotherly love.
St. Johns Lodge No. 51
McKinney, Texas.
