History of Goshen Masonic Lodge #365

The first legally constituted Masonic Lodge in Goshen, NY, was Orange Lodge No. 45. The Grand Lodge of the State of New York granted its charter on April 12th, 1796, under the leadership of Robert R. Livingston, then Grand Master of the State of New York. The charter was issued to William Thompson (Master), Seth Marvin (Senior Warden), and Anthony Dobbin (Junior Warden).

The Lodge initially met on the top floor of the Cuddeback House at 217 Main Street. Access to the attic or Lodge room was through an opening in the ceiling, with a ladder used to enter through a trap door.

Goshen Lodge is currently in possession of several artifacts from Orange Lodge No. 45, including an archway originally in the attic of the Cuddeback House and the original handmade nails recovered by A.O. Snow around 1910. The original seal of Orange Lodge is also proudly displayed within this archway.

The last recorded meeting of Orange Lodge took place in 1822, when the Lodge participated in the cornerstone laying ceremony of the Minisink Monument in Church Park. On July 22nd, they conducted ceremonies for the burial of the bones of those killed at the Battle of Minisink, honoring them with military and Masonic rites. Historians note that Capt. John Wood of Col. Tusten's regiment was captured in the Battle of Minisink and spared by Indian Chief Joseph Brant, who believed Wood gave a Masonic sign during the battle. Wood was taken captive and transported to Canada.

Orange Lodge’s charter was surrendered to the Grand Lodge in 1819.

Goshen Lodge #365 first met under dispensation on February 28th, 1855. Candidates for membership were proposed, and committees were appointed. The minutes of this meeting, which took place in “their Lodge Room” in Goshen, simply record these proceedings.

The Grand Lodge granted a charter on June 27th, 1855, to the following officers:

• Alvin Pease, Master
• Charles Monell, Senior Warden
• Elias Peck, Junior Warden
• Benjamin C. Jackson, Secretary

Initially, Goshen Lodge #365 met in Odd Fellows Hall in Goshen, now home to Happy Buddha Yoga. The exact location of the Lodge rooms between February 28th and June 27th, 1855, remains unknown, but it is presumed they met in the Farmer's Hall Academy, as the Presbyterian Church had consented in 1843 to use the upper room as a session room.

On January 16, 1856, a Lodge room was procured in the Vail Building, now occupied by Goshen Hardware Co., for an annual rent of $80.00.

On December 17, 1860, the Lodge moved into the Worden Building at 44 W. Main Street, where the Goshen Hardware Co. was formerly located.

On March 21, 1870, a committee was appointed to find another Lodge room. By January 16, 1871, the Lodge met in the building now occupied by Pharmacy Kitchen & Bar.

On February 21, 1876, the Lodge moved to the 2nd floor of Purdy Hall on West Main Street, renting the space for $150.00 per year for five years.

On March 27, 1884, the Lodge moved to the W. M. Sayer Building on West Main Street, which burned down on June 23, 1909. This area is now the Suresky Collision Center Parking Lot.

On April 4, 1887, the Lodge met in the Village Building on New Street, formerly the Dikeman Firehouse, now the GOVAC Building.

On October 7, 1907, the Lodge leased the third floor of the Van Nort Building on West Main Street, furnishing the room at a cost of $1,350.72.

The Masonic Temple, now Cornerstone Theatre Arts, at 223 Main Street was purchased, with the first meeting held there on April 9th, 1928.

In 2007, Goshen Lodge sold the Masonic Temple at 223 Main Street and moved into the Haight Family Cemetery Caretaker’s Cottage after extensive renovations.

Finally, in 2022, Goshen Lodge moved to its current location at 6 Park Place, the former GOVAC building, across from the First Presbyterian Church in what was once the Thompson Estate Barn. While much work remains to be done, we are hopeful this space will serve as a great home for Goshen Lodge, continuing our nearly 170-year history.