CORNER STONE LODGE | DUXBURY, MASSACHUSETTS

On Saturday July 8th, 2006 Corner Stone Lodge of Duxbury met for their regular communication on Clark's Island in Plymouth Bay. Clark's Island is a very historic place. The pilgrims landed there before landing on the mainland and they had their first Christian service in the New World at the Pulpit Rock, centrally located on the island. Pulpit Rock has an inscription similar to the one on the popular Plymouth Rock located in downtown Plymouth, but Pulpit Rock is sometimes referred to as "The Real Plymouth Rock" as well as the "Corner Stone Of America." Our host was Bro. Skip Watson Taylor whose family has owned this island since the 1600's. This event was made possible through the cooperation, coordination, and teamwork that is a testament to a healthy Masonic Lodge. Our boat captains, Bro. Bob Blackwell, R.W. Paul Gleason, Bro. Skip Taylor, Wor. Carl Russell, and Bro. John Kolstad provided our necessary Masonic Fleet to transport everyone safely to and from the Island. We had to do a beach landing at high tide and we had to be off the Island before the tide went out too low. Several Brothers were involved on the island with the moving, setting up and breaking down of our "Lodge In The Woods." The designated area was an old apple orchard on Bro. Skip's property. It was reminiscent of the "high hills and deep vales" mentioned by our ancient brethren.

Corner Stone Lodge conferred the Fellowcraft Degree on three candidates, and at our business meeting we awarded two fifty-year veteran’s medals to Bro. Stan Merry and Bro. Ren Cushing. The East was turned over to our Senior Past Master, Wor. Bob Delano for the Veteran's Medals portion.

Clarks Island was visited, and written about by Henry David Thoreau in the 1800's. After visiting, we can certainly see why. It's old growth trees and ancient stone walls make a beautiful setting for a Fellowcraft Degree, which in many ways is about the beauty and symmetry of science and nature.

Enjoy the following photos and links...

(click here to go to bottom of page to find links)

Pulpit Rock: Click on above photo to enlarge (close up of inscription, below)

Some of our Masonic Fleet Captains: Bro. Bob Blackwell, our "Admiral"

(Note the Masonic Pennant that all our boats proudly flew)

Boat Captain: R.W. Paul Gleason

Skip's Sandy Beach

Cove of our Masonic Beach Landing

Brothers coming ashore

Bro. Robert Huke, talking to the guys

Bro. Skip's house, built in the 1600's

Some of Skip's ancestors Among Skip's collection of many family

heirlooms, is a hand painted Masonic apron from the 1700's!

Signing in table

Our Masonic Procession, being lead by our Marshall, Wor. Sandy Melvin

Ancient Stone Walls along our procession

As we journey forward, the scenery became more beautiful

Wor. Jim Bennette opens lodge

(Much of our Lodge furniture were antiques borrowed from Bro. Skip, including the gas lantern to represent our three burning tapers. The alter was made up of wood which came from Mayflower II which was a replica of the original Mayflower.