Freemasons celebrate rededication of Messick Masonic Temple

The rededication of Shelby Lodge No. 28 and its cornerstone and marker dedication were steep in freemason tradition.

Randolph Seiple, the Grand Master of Masons in the state of Indiana, was in attendance Saturday morning for the 100 year anniversary celebration of the Messick Masonic Temple in Shelbyville.

“What this means for us is the longevity of the fraternity,” said Seiple after the ceremony. “When you think of 100 years ago and what was going on in 1925 that the brothers of the freemasonry came together and built this absolutely beautiful building in downtown Shelbyville that has created great citizens and great leaders across the area and across Shelby County.

“To be able to rededicate that and see that it is still here and still active and were still making great masons, it’s a great celebration to be able to do a great rededication.”

Following introduction of distinguished guests and masons in the second floor gathering area, the crowd in attendance relocated outdoors for the dedication of the cornerstone of the building followed by the dedication of the new marker.

“This is everything, really,” said Ronnie Baxter (photo, at podium, left), Worshipful Master of Shelby Lodge No. 28. “Before this lodge was built, they had five different buildings they would periodically move to. When (John) Messick decided to donate everything and give them a permanent spot, it was huge.”

Now 100 years old, the Messick Masonic Temple houses Shelby Lodge No. 28, Messick Masonic Temple Board, Messick Preservation Foundation, Naamah Chapter No. 73, Order of the Eastern Star and the Shelby County Shrine Club.

Baxter is part of a younger movement now operating Shelby Lodge No. 28 (photo, below) with the goal of increasing its charitable presence in the community.

“Some of the older leadership that we had, it was the old traditional,” explained Baxter. “A kind of guy’s club and that was it. We kind of fell away from the old principles of the whole Masonic aspect of it.

“The new group is trying to rejuvenate, have more of a presence in the community. There are all these conspiracy theories that this is some secret society. It’s like a fraternity. We are not secret.”

Seiple led the dedication ceremony that relied on freemason symbology and traditions.

“The intent of freemasonry is take a good man … freemasonry is not a religion so we cannot redeem somebody, take a good man but he doesn’t have to be perfect, but a good man and make him better through the ritual and through the degrees and through the teachings of freemasonry,” said Seiple. “We use the working tools of the freemason: the plum, square and level, the 24-inch gauge, the common gavel. Each one of those things teaches you a lesson in life. The symbology reminds you how to be a good family man, a good father, a good member of the community.”

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