Over the weekend of October 12 and 13, 2024 Euclid Lodge No. 65 celebrated its 175th anniversary, having been Chartered on October 2nd 1849.
On Saturday October 12, in commemoration of this milestone the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the State of Illinois accompanied by his corps of officers performed a rededication ceremony.
In total, in excess of 130 members, brothers from other lodges as well as family members and local dignitaries filled the lodge room to witness the event.
Also on hand for the event was the George Washington Inaugural Bible, which was transported to Euclid by three brothers from St. John’s Lodge No. 1, who are the caretakers of this National Treasure. This is the actual 260+ year old bible that Washington took his oath of office on in 1789. Four additional Presidents also used this bible at their inaugurations, George HW Bush being the most recent.
Due to the age of the volume, it is no longer opened, so I have included several photos of a replica version that was presented to the Lodge. Naperville Mayer Scott Wehrli was also on hand to proclaim October 2, 2024 as Euclid Lodge No. 65 175th Anniversary Day.
At the conclusion of the ceremony a small reception was held, with entertainment being provided by a fife and drum band.
On Sunday, Euclid Lodge hosted an Open House, between the hours of 11:00 am and 3:00 pm the general public was invited to view the Bible. George Washington was on hand to take questions and photographs with visitors. It is estimated that between 400 and 500 people paraded through the Lodge room to view the Bible