About Lafayette-Dupont #19
In the midst of our nation’s Civil War, LaFayette Lodge #19 was chartered on Dec 28, 1863. Our Lodge now meets in the historic Naval Lodge Building, built in 1895, at the corner of Pennsylvania Ave and 4th Streets, S.E.
Fort DuPont Lodge #52 was chartered in 1947.
In 1989 the two Lodges merged to become LaFayette DuPont Lodge #19.
Beginning with its ambitious founding, LaFayette Lodge quickly grew, working at an indefatigable pace and adding hundreds of new Masons a year. In the early 1920’s LaFayette Lodge #19 was the largest Masonic Lodge in the District of Columbia, with over 1,300 brethren. LaFayette Lodge not only enjoyed numbers but also quality. Among its members were many brethren prominent in government, as well as leaders in business and the various professional fields.
Lafayette Lodge has given to the Grand Lodge nine distinguished men who have served as the Grand Master of Masons of the District of Columbia: Joseph S. McCoy (1880),Noble D. Larner (1881-1882), Henry S. Merill (1894), A. Burt Coolidge (1908), Gratz E. Dunkum (1927), Noble D. Larner (1942), Marvin E. Fowler (1950), Robert A. Statler (1989), and, most recently, Jesse Villarreal (2011). The first Noble D. Larner also served as Grand Secretary (1867-1871).
The eminent Masonic scholar and author, Albert C. Makey, Past Grand Master of South Carolina affiliated with LaFayette Lodge in 1871 after moving to the District. In 1905, Vice President Charles W. Fairbanks, who served with President Theodore Roosevelt (1905-09) spoke in LaFayette Lodge and was later elected to honorary membership.
Past Grand Master Carl H. Claudy, the distinguished author of numerous Masonic plays and an honorary member of LaFayette Lodge, extended to our lodge the courtesy of being the first to present each of his plays and they were performed by the LaFayette Lodge Fellowcraft Club on many occasions in this and other jurisdictions.
Our membership reflects the diverse background of blue-collar and professional occupations in the Washington Metropolitan area. We have a high percentage of brethren from law-enforcement fields, both civic and government posts, and a number of brethren who work in the Information Technology area.
One of our most cherished traditions is the annual exchange of visits with Williamson-Corinthian Lodge #368 from Philadelphia. This tradition dates to 1893, originating in a debate between two Masons on a train about what Lodge did the best work. The solution to this debate was an agreement for Fraternal visits of brethren to each Lodge to witness Degree work. Some early visits are recorded as including entire trains of LaFayette Lodge Masons heading to Philadelphia. Today, this tradition is a much-anticipated event that includes busloads of Masons, guests, and family members. The highlight of each visit is the exchange of the silver engraved “Loving Cup” that dates back to 1898.
The namesakes for our Lodge are the Marquis de LaFayette and Samuel Francis DuPont. LaFayette was a hero of our Revolutionary War and honorary American citizen. His name was still very much in the minds of Americans when our Lodge was chartered in 1863. Rear Admiral DuPont was a Naval officer in the United States Navy during our Civil War, and he was a hero during an attack at Port Royal, South Carolina in 1861. DuPont Circle in downtown Washington DC is named in his honor, as is Fort DuPont in Maryland.
The most defining characteristic of our Lodge is the brotherly love and affection shared among our members. We all meet on the level, regardless of our stations in life. We are genuinely happy to see one another, and we strive to include our family members in this bond. Our only competition with each other is to see who can best work, best agree, and best serve our Lodge and our community.
Fort DuPont Lodge #52 was chartered in 1947.
In 1989 the two Lodges merged to become LaFayette DuPont Lodge #19.
Beginning with its ambitious founding, LaFayette Lodge quickly grew, working at an indefatigable pace and adding hundreds of new Masons a year. In the early 1920’s LaFayette Lodge #19 was the largest Masonic Lodge in the District of Columbia, with over 1,300 brethren. LaFayette Lodge not only enjoyed numbers but also quality. Among its members were many brethren prominent in government, as well as leaders in business and the various professional fields.
Lafayette Lodge has given to the Grand Lodge nine distinguished men who have served as the Grand Master of Masons of the District of Columbia: Joseph S. McCoy (1880),Noble D. Larner (1881-1882), Henry S. Merill (1894), A. Burt Coolidge (1908), Gratz E. Dunkum (1927), Noble D. Larner (1942), Marvin E. Fowler (1950), Robert A. Statler (1989), and, most recently, Jesse Villarreal (2011). The first Noble D. Larner also served as Grand Secretary (1867-1871).
The eminent Masonic scholar and author, Albert C. Makey, Past Grand Master of South Carolina affiliated with LaFayette Lodge in 1871 after moving to the District. In 1905, Vice President Charles W. Fairbanks, who served with President Theodore Roosevelt (1905-09) spoke in LaFayette Lodge and was later elected to honorary membership.
Past Grand Master Carl H. Claudy, the distinguished author of numerous Masonic plays and an honorary member of LaFayette Lodge, extended to our lodge the courtesy of being the first to present each of his plays and they were performed by the LaFayette Lodge Fellowcraft Club on many occasions in this and other jurisdictions.
Our membership reflects the diverse background of blue-collar and professional occupations in the Washington Metropolitan area. We have a high percentage of brethren from law-enforcement fields, both civic and government posts, and a number of brethren who work in the Information Technology area.
One of our most cherished traditions is the annual exchange of visits with Williamson-Corinthian Lodge #368 from Philadelphia. This tradition dates to 1893, originating in a debate between two Masons on a train about what Lodge did the best work. The solution to this debate was an agreement for Fraternal visits of brethren to each Lodge to witness Degree work. Some early visits are recorded as including entire trains of LaFayette Lodge Masons heading to Philadelphia. Today, this tradition is a much-anticipated event that includes busloads of Masons, guests, and family members. The highlight of each visit is the exchange of the silver engraved “Loving Cup” that dates back to 1898.
The namesakes for our Lodge are the Marquis de LaFayette and Samuel Francis DuPont. LaFayette was a hero of our Revolutionary War and honorary American citizen. His name was still very much in the minds of Americans when our Lodge was chartered in 1863. Rear Admiral DuPont was a Naval officer in the United States Navy during our Civil War, and he was a hero during an attack at Port Royal, South Carolina in 1861. DuPont Circle in downtown Washington DC is named in his honor, as is Fort DuPont in Maryland.
The most defining characteristic of our Lodge is the brotherly love and affection shared among our members. We all meet on the level, regardless of our stations in life. We are genuinely happy to see one another, and we strive to include our family members in this bond. Our only competition with each other is to see who can best work, best agree, and best serve our Lodge and our community.
