Oakland Scottish Rite Center

IN THE YEAR 1883, Oakland was only thirty years old, but as a result of phenomenal development during the decade 1870 to 1880, Oakland rose to the position of second city of importance in California, and had a population of about 40,000. This remarkable growth had been made possible by improved transportation facilities, especially those connecting the East Bay with San Francisco. Industrial development had been fostered by estuary and harbor improvements. The transcontinental trains were arriving at Seventh and Broadway. Mansions, houses, and cottages were thickly sprinkled through the beautiful oak groves that had given the city its name. Oakland streets and many of the buildings and homes were lighted by gas lamps and the horse cars were giving what was then considered fine service out Broadway, Telegraph Avenue, San Pablo Avenue, Piedmont Avenue and east across the Twelfth Street Dam to East Oakland. There were 91 telephones in the city. The Masonic Temple at Twelfth and Washington Streets had just been completed and a number of lodges were occupying the building. The new Temple created much interest in lodge activities. A vibrant atmosphere hung over this bustling little city among the oaks.

In the summer of 1883, Albert Pike,33°, Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, was visiting, the City of Oakland. He was accompanied by Thomas H. Caswell, 33°, James S. Lawson, 33°, and Charles R. Brown, 33°, all active members of the Supreme Council. Their mission was to plant the seed of Scottish Rite Masonry in the East Bay. Upon the recommendation of Edwin A. Sherman, 32°, Past Grand Registrar of the Grand Consistory of California, twelve men were selected to receive the degrees of the Scottish Rite, from the fourth to the thirty-second. Arrangements were made and the initiation was held in the new Masonic Temple at Twelfth and Washington Streets. It was Brother Pike’s fervent hope and wish that these brethren would petition the Grand Consistory of California for Charters for a Lodge of Perfection, Chapter and Council and establish the Scottish Rite in Oakland.

Edwin A. Sherman, 32°, who assisted Pike in the selection of the candidates, was well versed in the ritual, rules and regulations of the Rite. He had received the degrees in 1868-69 in the Sacramento Bodies. When the Grand Consistory of California was established in San Francisco in 1870, he became the first Grand Registrar and held that position for three years. He was also a Deputy Inspector General for the Grand Consistory and did much to establish many of the Bodies in California. His broad knowledge of Masonry and Scottish Rite in particular was of valuable assistance in organizing the Scottish Rite in Oakland and procuring charters for the three bodies of the Rite.

The newly created Masters of the Royal Secret were men from all walks of life and from all parts of the East Bay. They were very enthusiastic in their advancement in the Rite. They had become well acquainted with Brother Sherman and his activities in Scottish Rite Masonry when in 1871, as a special deputy of the Grand Consistory, he was commissioned to confer by communication the fourth to the fourteenth decrees upon twelve Master Masons in Eureka. At the same time he was commissioned to communicate the fifteenth to the thirty-second decrees on three of the members who might be chosen to fill the principal offices in the Lodge of Perfection. He then constituted the Lodge and presented them with a Dispensation. He also visited and assisted other Lodges of Perfection, such as Marysville, Grass Valley, Vallejo, Petaluma, Placerville and Nevada City. This Mason was now to become the leader in organizing the Rite in Oakland. This may simply have been fortuitous or in fulfillment of a chapter in the Divine Plan.

It was several days after the initiation that these new members found that there were 19 other Scottish Rite Masons residing in the East Bay. Some were members of the San Francisco Bodies and some were from out-of-state. There was much fraternizing and much discussion about establishing the Scottish Rite in Oakland. Some were of the opinion that only a Lodge of Perfection should be established and others thought that the Chapter and Council should also be included. A meeting was called on September 2nd, 1883, at the Masonic Temple, Twelfth and Washington Streets, and all Scottish Rite Masons were asked to be present.