COLD SPRING – Grand Master of Masons of the State of New Jersey, Most Worshipful Anthony W. Montuori presided over the re-consecration ceremony of Cape Island Lodge No. 30 July 25.
The lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was chartered Jan. 11, 1854, and has been an integral part of the Cape May County community for over 160 years.
This lodge has met in several locations throughout its history. In 1966 it moved into its current location 1105 Seashore Road.
After a merger with Hereford Lodge No. 171 on April 16, 2009, which met in a building which that lodge owned in Wildwood Crest, that building was sold and the proceeds used to expand and re-modernize the existing lodge building in Cold Spring.
After completing the work, lodge members wanted to have a special event to commemorate the occasion along with their annual family picnic.
The Worshipful Master Robert H. Boyd along with the District Deputy Grand Master Right Worshipful Bruce S. Graham invited the grand master and his staff to participate in this wonderful, time-honored ceremony to re-consecrate this edifice.
Montuori opened a session of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey in true form to commemorate the occasion.
He then called upon members of the U.S. Coast Guard led by Joseph Orlando, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5941 of North Wildwood, to post the Colors. This was followed by a real cannon salute.
The grand master and his staff proceeded to re-consecrate the lodge building using the ancient Corn-Wine-Oil ceremony which has been used by Freemasons for hundreds of years across this great nation involving many great buildings, structures and memorable moments.
One of which happened Sept. 18, 1793 when then President and Freemason George Washington presided over the cornerstone laying of the U.S. Capitol in full Masonic regalia using this same ceremony witnessed July 25 in Cape May County.
After the ceremony there were remarks from lodge members, district and grand staff members including Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-1st), who is also a member of this lodge.
Many local and state officials were present at this ceremony including Assemblyman Robert Andrzejczak (D-1st), Erik Simonsen, Lower Township councilman, and Cape May Council members Shane Meier and Jack Wichterman.
The worshipful master of the lodge Boyd, then accepted on behalf of the lodge a Joint Legislative Commendation from the State of New Jersey.
That congratulated Cape Island Lodge No. 30 upon the grand occasion of celebrating its building re-consecration. “On behalf of its citizens for efforts shown by Cape Island Lodge No. 30 and its members to promote and improve our community,” it stated.
Festivities continued following the ceremonies with the awarding of $6,000 worth of scholarships to six Cape May residents, after which a family-style picnic was held which lasted through the late evening.
There is no doubt of the dedication this lodge has to the community and its members. For over a century and a half this lodge has proven it can stand the test of time.
From its work in the community to forging many prominent leaders from its hall of members, I have no doubt this lodge will be around for another 150 years and beyond.
(ED. NOTE: The author is grand historian of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey. He holds the honorary title Right Worshipful.)
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