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ANDREW JACKSON LODGE NO.120 A.F. & A.M.

About Us   |   History   |   Officers   |   Trestleboard   |   Donations   |   Gallery   |   Links

WELCOME

"Freemasonry is an institution calculated
to benefit mankind."

7th Andrew Jackson 1829-1837

FAMILY EVENT

All Freemasons and their families are welcome to join us for our run/walk event to end prostate cancer.
(Sign up)

FATHERS DAY JUNE 2019

HISTORY

As with most Lodges, there must be a need. So it was with Andrew Jackson Lodge No. 120. A dispensation was granted from the Grand Lodge of Virginia on December 6, 1853, for Andrew Jackson Lodge.
Learn more...

Lodge Secretary - AJ120

JOIN US

Our goal is to make men better through masonic teachings and principals. Our monthly programs are quite beneficial with ritual pratice, Masonic short stories, music, poetry, book reviews, etc.. Except for the month of December, join us every third Thursday for dinner and a masonic lecture.
(RSVP)

AJ120

WELCOME

 The Andrew Jackson Lodge No.120, was established in 1854 by Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Virginia. Our goal is to make men better through masonic teachings and principals. Our lodge room is designed in a medieval architectural style, with stage, ceiling to floor burgundy velour curtains, and three sided balcony. Seating capacity is about 241. Our monthly programs are quite beneficial with ritual pratice, Masonic short stories, music, poetry, book reviews, and social media trends. Except for the month of December, join us every third Thursday for dinner and a masonic lecture.   ( RSVP )


HISTORY

 As with most Lodges, there must be a need. So it was with Andrew Jackson Lodge No. 120. A dispensation was granted from the Grand Lodge of Virginia on December 6, 1853, for Andrew Jackson Lodge.
Learn more...

TRESTLEBOARD

 Our trestleboard contains all the latest news and events about our lodge activities.
(Click)

MEMBERSHIP

 Membership to the Grand Lodge of Virginia requires that two Master Masons vouch for your character and recommend you into our Craft. You also have to be a man, 18 years old or older, and believe in a God that promotes peace, love, and harmony towards all mankind.
Click to Download Application)

STUFF

Ideals are like stars. You will not succeed in touching them with your hands, but, like the seafaring man, you choose them as your guides, and following them, you will reach your destiny.
-Carl Schurtz

HISTORY

 As with most Lodges, there must be a need. So it was with Andrew Jackson Lodge No. 120. A dispensation was granted from the Grand Lodge of Virginia on December 6, 1853, for Andrew Jackson Lodge. The first officers were:

  • S. King Shay, Worshipful Master
  • George H. Markell, Senior Warden
  • John T. Johnson, Junior Warden

All of these officers were members of Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22.

  • On December 9, 1853, Worshipful Brother Shay informed the Brethren that he had sent a letter to Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22 and Lafayette Lodge No. 67 thanking them for their assistance in organizing the Lodge. On March 3, 1854, Lafayette Lodge No. 67 surrendered its charter. Andrew Jackson Lodge No. 120 was issued a charter on December 13, 1854.

  • During the Civil War, Andrew Jackson Lodge, for the most part, did not meet. On January 5, 1865, the Lodge was active again. On January 19, 1865, the Lodge had the largest attendance ever. For the next nine years much was going on.

  • The passing away of Worshipful Brother S. King Shay, the first Worshipful Master, on January 19, 1874 was a sad occasion.

  • When this Lodge was looking for a meeting place in 1879, Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22 offered their Lodge hall. The committees met and agreed that Andrew Jackson Lodge would meet on the first and third Thursdays and Alexandria-Washington Lodge would meet on the second and fourth Thursdays.

  • On February 20, 1890, Brother Henry Knox Field was raised to the degree of Master Mason. On June 24, 1893, he was installed Worshipful Master of this Lodge. In 1900, Right Worshipful Henry Knox Field and twenty-nine other members of Andrew Jackson Lodge went to Cranford Church to take part in laying the cornerstone of that church.

  • On December 27, 1904, the first installation of officers was held in December, most of the time they had been installed in June.

  • On June 6, 1907, Andrew Jackson Lodge No. 120 joined Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22 in the laying of the cornerstone of the Masonic temple in Washington, D.C.

  • On March 15, 1917, the Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, Most Worshipful Henry Knox Field, made his official visit to his mother Lodge, and received honorary membership.

  • March 15, 1929 was the first mention of an annual Jackson Day celebration, which was for the 162nd anniversary of the birth of Andrew Jackson. This was the beginning of a tradition. After the meeting to celebrate the birth of Andrew Jackson on March 15, 1932, an evening of dancing and fine food was held at the George Mason Hotel.

  • The first meeting held in the North Room of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial was held on December 15, 1949. This was the new home of this Lodge.

  • A history of Andrew Jackson Lodge, compiled by Right Worshipful William A. Brown, was presented to the Lodge on October 4, 1979.

  • On April 17, 1980, the Worshipful Master, James Amos Yancey, presented the Lodge a plaque, which had been found in an old house in Washington, D.C. The plaque was dated November 3, 1873, and was from the Mt. Vernon Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. It was to thank the Lodge for allowing them to meet in the Lodge hall.


In conclusion, what could be written about this great Lodge, in no way could be put down on this brief page. There is so much more to tell of what was, and what we hope could be.

Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.

- Bro. Benjamin Franklin
US author, diplomat, inventor, politician, & printer (1706-1790)
St. John's Lodge of Philadelphia, USA

OFFICERS

 Officers are elected by the members of the lodge, although a few are appointed by the Worshipful Master. In most lodges, the officers serve in their positions for one year. The names and duties of the officers are mostly taken from very old customs practiced by the medieval stonemasons' guilds, where Freemasonry originated.

TITLE NAME EMAIL
173rd Grand Master of Masons in Virginia Most Worshipful Gary Wallace Taylor -
District 1A Deputy Grand Master B. Richard Laaken -
Worshipful Master Antoine Charles akcharle@yahoo.com
Senior Warden Mark Franklin mrfranklin1779@gmail.com
Junior Warden Glenn Amodeo glenn.amodeo@gmail.com
Treasurer John Aakesson aakesson.john@gmail.com
Secretary Adam C. Duncan adamcduncan@yahoo.com
Senior Deacon Rick Cady rickcady@gmail.com
Junior Deacon Jason Pettengill pettengilljb@gmail.com
Chaplain Kelly Cochran -
Senior Steward Andrew Westrum awestrum@gmail.com
Junior Steward Sidney -
Marshal TBD -
Tiler Pablo Rocha pabloarocha1992@outlook.com
TRUSTEES
B. Richard Laaken, PM, 2017
Mike Silverman, PM, 2018
David Benjamin Browning, PDDGM
Edmund Cohen, PGM, 2020
Sheldon B. Richman, PDDGM, 2021
COMMITEE CHAIRS
Lodge Instructor of Work Dave Williams, PM -
Lodge Education Officer B. Richard Laaken, PM -
Degree Coordinator Mark Franklin -
Archivists Wor. Pablo Rocha, Kelly Cochran -
Photographer TBD -
Investigation Committee TBD -
Widows & Orphans Ben Browning, PDDGM -
Events znd Activities Jace McFerra, PM -
Social Media Dennis Dunston,PM -

We Masons are among the fortunate ones who are taught to meet together with others opposing or competitive ideas and yet respect each other as Brothers.

- author unknown

DONATIONS

 Feel free to make your online payment using our PAYPAL links:
1) Annual Lodge Dues Payment $125.00 (Not tax deductable)
2) Masonic Charity for Andrew Jackson Lodge No.120 (Not tax deductable)
3) Scholarship Fund (Tax deductable)
Fund Types

We must never despair; our situation has been compromising before; and it changed for the better; so I trust it will again; If difficulties arise; we must put forth new exertion and proportion our efforts to the exigencies of the times.

- Bro. George Washington
U.S. General and President
Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4 A.F.& A.M., Fredericksburg, VA, USA