Williamson-Corinthian Lodge No. 368 F&AM

Since 1985, the last week of October has been Spiritual/Pastoral Care Week - an opportunity "for organizations and institutions of all kinds and types to recogn...ize the spiritual caregivers in their midst and the ministry which the caregivers provide." In Masonic lodges, the lodge chaplain provides spiritual support to brethren of all faiths through prayer and participation in rites and ceremonies, including the Masonic funeral service. In a tense and tenuous year like this one, their duties are more important and more appreciated than ever. Thanks to our lodge chaplains (past and current), and also those brethren who work in spiritual care outside of Masonry, for their efforts. See more

Congratulations to our newest Entered Apprentices

Back in our second home

On This Day in History > October 13, 1792: George Washington lays the cornerstone of the White House "President John Adams would be the first American president... to live in the presidential mansion in Washington DC. Today's White House, however, looks very different than the building that was originally constructed. After Congress decided to locate the federal capital along the Potomac River in 1790, Pierre Charles L'Enfant was chosen to design a plan for the federal city. Part of the plan included space for a massive mansion, five times the size of the house that was eventually rebuilt. In 1791, a public request was put out by President George Washington for potential designs for the president's mansion. Irish architect James Hoban's design was eventually chosen. Hoban had designed the Charleston County Courthouse in Charleston, South Carolina, a building Washington had seen when he visited there. Washington liked the courthouse's design and Hoban's plans for the presidential house looked very similar. On October 13, 1792, Washington laid the cornerstone for the White House. The original home did not have the circular south portico or the northern drive under portico that Americans recognize today. Instead, both the north and south sides of the White House had only a series of eleven windows on 2 floors. After the White House was burned in 1814 by the British, the building was mostly reconstructed. The familiar rounded south portico was added in 1824 and the north portico in 1830. The White House's West Wing was not added until 1901 by President Teddy Roosevelt for more office space. President William Howard Taft built the first Oval Office there in 1909. The East Wing was first added by President Roosevelt, but has gone through several iterations, including time as a greenhouse and a cloakroom. The White House was entirely gutted during the administration of President Harry Truman. A steel frame was placed inside the outer walls and all the inner walls were replaced. Today, the White House has six stories, 2 under ground, a ground floor, the State Floor, Second Floor and Third Floor. The entire White House complex also has the East and West Wings for offices, the Blair House for guests and the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which houses more presidential offices."

Don’t forget to check out our website: williamsoncorinthian368pa.org.

In 1873 the current building at 1 North Broad Street was completed and began being used as the home of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. The building was considered complete when the Benjamin Franklin room was finished.

On March 9, 1819, the Grand Lodge building on Chestnut Street was engulfed by flames. Upon the same plot was erected the New Masonic Hall for use as the Grand L...odge of Pennsylvania. The first Image is that of an engraving entitled The Conflagration of the Masonic Hall, Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. The Grand Lodge history explains that so great was the interest taken by the general public in this great calamity which overtook the Brethren, that a painting was done for the purpose of having an engraving made of the conflagration. The second image is that of the New Masonic Hall, built on the same location, and the third image is of the Grand Lodge room in the new Temple.

The original home of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania was Tun Tavern, Located on Tun Alley in Philadelphia PA.