On Friday evening, September 17, 2010 history was made between two Southern Masonic Lodges.
Members of Jackson Lodge #45 of Jackson, TN, official Dispensation and Charter in hand, traveled to Corinth, MS at the invitation of Corinth Lodge #116, to perform a Tennessee Fellow Craft Degree, in Civil War era dress, on one of our own Entered Apprentices. This was in conjunction with a large and established Civil War battle re-enactment held in Corinth, MS each year.
Upon arrival, members of Corinth Lodge #116 greeted our travelers and treated us with their most generous hospitality providing most welcomed refreshments and meal.
The historic nature of this event is such that it was the first time Jackson Lodge #45 has taken its Charter out of the state of Tennessee and the first time a Civil War era degree had been performed at either Lodge. Just as in the Civil War, soldiers (re-enactors) of the Confederacy and Union Armies laid down their arms to join in a period of Masonic Brotherhood, despite being in a state of war. Blue Coats and Gray Coats joined together to Pass a worthy and well qualified Entered Apprentice to the Degree of Fellow Craft in his quest for more light.
The setting was the beautifully crafted Scottish Rite Theater in Corinth. While some re-modeling is still underway, the pride and care of the members of the Scottish Rite and Corinth Lodge #116 is evident.
The Jackson #45 Charter displayed and Dispensations from the Grand Lodge of Mississippi the Grand Lodge of Tennessee read, Worshipful Master Michael Stanton of Jackson Lodge #45 opened, in due and ancient form, a Tennessee Fellow Craft Lodge in the Scottish Rite Theater, home of Corinth Lodge #116 in Corinth, Mississippi. Masons from Mississippi, Tennessee and Alabama were in attendance at this unique and historic event.
Many Masonic thanks to The Grand Lodge of Mississippi, The Grand Lodge of Tennessee, The Scottish Rite and Corinth Lodge #116 and members of Jackson Lodge #45 and Pleasant Green #291 for making this event possible.