Orient Lodge #51 AF&AM had its origins on September 6, 1867, when a number of Freemasons new to Topeka, bearing Demits from their home lodges, chose to form their own lodge, rather than join Topeka Lodge #17.

After a unanimous vote of Topeka Lodge #17 to permit the formation of a new Lodge, demits and a petition to form a lodge were sent to the Grand Lodge of Kansas. W:. Cyrus K. Holiday was appointed to organize the new lodge. As a continued act of fraternal spirit, W:. C.C. Kellem, Master of Topeka Lodge #17, volunteered the use of their lodge room, jewels and furniture for a period of six months at no cost to the fledgling Lodge, and W:. Kellem even threw in a Tyler for good measure.

Charter members of Orient Lodge #51 were as follows: John Guthrie, T.J. Dent, W.H. Monroe, L.H. Farr, A. Latham, John W. Campion, Orrin T. Welch, C.N. Nix and John F. Sanford.

The date of the Charter for Orient Lodge #51 was October 16, 1867, and on November 8, 1867, W:. C.C. Kellem, Master of Topeka Lodge #17, acting as Deputy Grand Master, installed the following Officers: John Guthrie as Worshipful Master, John W. Campion as Senior Warden, T.J. Dent as Junior Warden, A. Latham as Treasurer, and C.N. Nix as Tyler.

Many Brethren have wondered how Orient Lodge became Orient Lodge. From a previously written history of the Lodge, the name “Orient” came from W:. Guthrie’s home Lodge in Logansport, Indiana, Orient Lodge #272.

Orient Lodge’s style in doing ritual may well have come from W:. Guthrie, who was an attorney and from his attempts to make sure all was binding for the candidate or brother. He was reputed to say after giving the Obligation, “Now, Brother, if I have omitted anything from the Obligation, you are bound by it just the same”.

From the original nine members in 1867, the Lodge grew to 102 members in 1872. 51 years later in 1918, there were 1,000 members, and eight years later in 1926 there were 2,000 members. The economic downturn of the Depression saw significant losses to the membership in the Lodge, but by 1953 Orient Lodge reached a highwater mark of 2,205 members. Since 1953, the membership has declined as the numbers of men showing an interest in Masonry is not as great as in previous years.

    

There are a number of Brothers from Orient Lodge #51 who have given their time and leadership to the Craft. Three members have served as Grand Masters of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Kansas:

M:.W:. John Guthrie (1877)

M:.W:. Charles H. Chandler (1914)

M:.W:. Elmer Strain (1924)

 

M:. W:. Elmer was also Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Kansas in 1926, Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Kansas in 1943 and Grand Secretary of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons on Kansas from October, 1928 to December, 1953.

R:.W:. Albert K. Wilson was Grand Secretary of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of Kansas from 1894 to 1928.

Bro. Charles N. Nix was Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Arkansas, and in 1923 was Deputy General Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. He was selected to become General Grand High Priest of the Order, but ill health prevented Him from serving.

W:. Theopilus P. Rogers was Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Kansas in 1897 and Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Kansas in 1911.

W:. Kenneth N. Pomeroy was Assistant Grand Secretary of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of Kansas in the 1930’s, as well as Grand Master of the General Council of Royal and Select Masters of Kansas in 1952.

Brothers E. Leslie Scrinopskie, Donald J. Horttor and Larry Pressman have all served as Potentate of Arab Shrine Temple.

Two Brothers have also served as Worthy Grand Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star in Kansas, Marvin E. Van Vleck from 1971-72 and W:. Roland C. Bonjour in 1998.

Our history also noted three Brothers who did not attain “high” honor in Masonry, but had the affection and respect of the Craft. The first was W:. Robert Edwards, who, from 1886 to 1905 was the Lodge’s Tyler. He did the detail work, coached candidates, prepared refreshments for the Lodge and truly loved the Craft and his Brothers.

“Billy” Bond was the second, a member of Topeka Lodge #17, but belonged to every Masonic Body that met in the Temple. He took part in ritual work on the floor of the Lodge and saw to setting up the Lodge, never losing his temper or becoming flustered. He also arranged banquets and meals, and promoted good fellowship among Brothers.

The third, W:. Evan Davis, was Secretary of the Lodge for 38 years. He is considered the greatest Secretary the Lodge ever had, and was a healer of friction and dissent in the Lodge.

The most significant event in Orient Lodge’s recent history took place during W:. John Vander Velde’s term. On Friday, June 18, 1999, a meeting was hosted by Orient Lodge #51 which included Brethren from many Lodges, along with Brothers from Euclid Lodge #2 and Mount Moriah Lodge #5, Free and Accepted Masons – Prince Hall Affiliation. It was the first official meeting between black and white Brethren in Topeka.

 

This brief work is a survey, not a comprehensive study of Orient Lodge #51. The information above has been gleaned from the works of the following:

W:. Snowden Dwight Flora, Past Master (1921), Lodge History 1867-1955

W:. Kenneth Pomeroy, Past Master (1924), Lodge History 1955-1967

W:. Edgar Colvin, continuation from 1967-1989

I am indebted to their brotherhood and dedication to the Craft that they took time to compile the history of the Brethren of Orient Lodge #51, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of Kansas.

Past Master, 1998