History
Big Flats Lodge received its Charter from the Grand Lodge of the State of New York in 1855, and held its first meeting on April 12^th of that year. The Lodge’s first Master, Corbett Feebles, presided, and the remaining chairs were filled with Brethren from Painted Post Lodge #117. In 1871 the Lodge purchased land from the Buena Vista Hotel and started to construct a new Lodge building, still in use today. The total cost of construction at that time was $3,000. 

History
In July 1854, ten brethren living in the vicinity of Chemung, New York petitioned the Grand Lodge for a dispensation to form Chemung Valley Lodge. One of these petitioners were from Rural Amity Lodge in Athens, PA, and three from Union Lodge in Elmira. Union Lodge recommended the dispensation, which was granted in August 1854. In June 1855 the Charter was granted. The first Master was Asahel Buck. Henry Baker was Senior Warden and William Guthrie Junior Warden. Early in the fall of 1883, a fire burned the hall to the ground, along with all lodge furnishings and the Charter, Immediately work began on the present structure on the location of the original one. It was completed before winter set in, with the first meeting on December 15, 1883. A duplicate Charter was issued. Over the years the original building was enlarged, remodeled, and improved.

A number of Masons lived in Waverly, New York, and were members of Rural Amity in PA, Chemung Valley, and other neighboring areas. In 1856 they received a dispensation from Grand Lodge and held their first communication April 19 th. The first Master was George N. Fairchild, with Francis H. Baldwin as Senior Warden, and Addison D. Phillips as Junior Warden. Initially called Cayuta Lodge, they received a Charter from Grand Lodge in June 1856 as Waverly Lodge #407 On June 24 1856 a public installation was held with Asahel Buck of Chemung Valley Lodge #350 as the installing Master. After meeting in various places, the lodge obtained its’ own building, the former Waverly YMCA in December 1906. With improvements, the lodge remained there until 1983, when taxes, insurance, and fuel costs forced the sale of the building, and permission was received from Grand Lodge to meet in the Chemung Valley Temple. Moneys from the sale of the building were used to re-furbish the Chemung Valley Temple, who in turn allowed Waverly Lodge 30 years of rent free use of the Temple. In 1993 the two lodges merged, forming Chemung Valley/Waverly Lodge #350, meeting in Chemung on the first and third Saturdays at 7:30 PM, from the third Saturday in September through June.

On September 12th 2022 Merged with Friendship Lodge No 153 located in Owego, NY to form Valley Lodge No 153 located in Chemung, NY.

Mailing Address

 308 West Main St.
Montour Falls, NY 14865

 

History
When the War for Independence was over, many of the settlers in the Southern Tier of New York State had been soldiers engaged in General John Sullivan’s expedition against the Iroquois nation. They brought with them their Masonic heritage from the military lodges they had belonged to prior to their arrival. As the local area grew in population, although in an almost wilderness-like atmosphere, Masons came together and, shortly after the beginning of the 19th century, began forming lodges, which met in private homes. These included Tioga Lodge No. 194 in 1809, Herron Lodge No. 200 in 1824, and Chemung Lodge No. 131 in 1848.

Amid solemn and symbolic rites and ceremonies, Myrtle Lodge No. 131 was organized on March 3, 1860 by a significant number including Masons from Chemung Lodge, which had existed in the area for 10 years but, finally relinquished its charter. Events foreshadowing the Civil War may have contributed. John E. Mulford was elected as the first Master of Myrtle Lodge, and the lodge was granted the same number as had been carried by Chemung. Ironically, Worshipful Master John Mulford was soon to leave for an extended tour of duty in the Civil War. He served with great distinction and was brevetted a brigadier general. After the war, General Mulford returned to be received and rightfully applauded by his brother Masons.

Charter members included Hull Fanton, a banker and founder of the Havana National Bank, who raised a company for the 107th Regiment, New York Volunteers, and served in the Army of the Potomac. Also Charles Cook, often referred to as the “Father of Schuyler County,” having had a a most active part in its formation and establishing the Peoples’ College of Havana, now Montour Falls, which he later tried to establish as a Masonic Home and Orphans Asylum. His efforts were thwarted and it was located in Utica.

The Lodge grew and prospered and, following World War I, purchased the Lodge Tracy Block on the Main Street in Montour Falls where meetings were held until the building was raised and a new Temple constructed which was dedicated on April 1, 1972with many Masons and Masonic dignitaries in attendance.

In 1979 Myrtle Lodge merged with Jefferson Lodge No. 332 of Watkins Glen, which had been founded in 1854. Jefferson Lodge had a long history of prosperity and dedicated service, but with decreasing membership and financial concerns, chose to combine with Myrtle and take the number 131.