Jephtha Masonic Lodge #494

The Jephtha Lodge #494 app was created to help build a closer-knit community among members: you can join conversations, share photos, learn about events, and find contact info for all members.

Our main website may be found at http://www.jephtha.com

Masonic light first came to Huntington in 1793 as Huntington Lodge No. 26 A.Y.M. The warrant was dated on March 22, 1793 thus making it the second lodge to be formed on Long Island. On April 7, 1796 Huntington Lodge #26 A.Y.M Master David Richard Floyd Jones read a petition from Port Jefferson requesting their assistance in forming a Lodge there, with W:. Brother Moses Blachly, a Past Master of Huntington Lodge #26, to be the first Master. The request and assistance was enthusiastically given, and the new Lodge was named Suffolk Lodge. Brothers from Huntington Lodge #26, living in the Hempstead vicinity, petitioned Grand Lodge to form Morton Lodge in Hempstead because of the tedious journey to attend Lodge in Huntington. By 1806, meetings in Huntington Lodge No. 26 had ended, and the original warrant was forfeited on March 4, 1818.

Having obtained the necessary dispensation by Grand Lodge, Jephtha Lodge No. 494 was chartered on January 25, 1860. Jephtha Lodge was convened for the first time on Saturday January 28, 1860, as a Lodge under Dispensation in a room over the store of J. Fleet at the corner of New and Main St. Huntington Village, where they met for five years. A committee was appointed to outfit the room properly for Masonic work and to procure the necessary jewels. Charter Oak Lodge # 249 was gracious in donating the necessary regalia for the Officers.

In June 1860, after receiving a Charter from Grand Lodge, the Dispensation expired and the Lodge became known as Jephtha Lodge No. 494. Our Most Worshipful Grand Master was John W. Simons, Deputy Grand Master Finlay M. King and Grand Secretary James M. Austin. A pubic dedication was held in June 1860 and from that day on Jephtha Lodge has prospered.