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History of Madison Lodge No. 5

The history of Madison Lodge No. 5 is inextricably entwined with the history of politics in Wisconsin. A gift of land from James Doty and his friends had such influence with the Territorial Legislature, that they chose to move the Capital of the soon-to-be state to "Madison", even before anyone had settled in the area! Augustus Bird led the construction team to the isthmus between Lakes Mendota and Monona, and had to live in tents until a "hotel" could be built to accomodate them.

In December, 1843, a Masonic Convention was called in Madison, although no lodge existed there at the time. The three lodges that did exist in the Wisconsin Territory sent representatives to form the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin. Those three lodges were Mineral Point, Melody (at Platteville) and Milwaukee. Inspired, Madison area Masons petitioned the new Grand Lodge for a charter. Dispensation was granted in June of 1844 by Grand Master Benjamin Kavanaugh. The first Master was John Caitlin, and his Wardens were David Holt, Jr., and Augustus Bird. In January of 1845, the charter was granted to Madison Lodge No. 5.

John Caitlin was a prominent figure in Wisconsin, not only as Master during Lodge 5's first two years, but in public areas as well. He assisted in laying the Capital Square and was Madison's first lawyer, first Postmaster, first District Attorney and organizer of the first church society in Madison (Episcopal). He also served as a Territorial Delegate and Clerk for the Legislature and the Supreme Court. As though this wasn't enough, he was also president of the Milwaukee and Mississippi Railroad, the first rail line in Madison.

Seven Grand Masters of the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin have come from Madison Lodge No. 5. They are: Charles Whelan (1899), John Corscot (1903), David Wright (1904), Alvin Webb (1909), Charles Shaffer (1920), Charles Lamb (1923), and Frank Jenks (1929).

A highlight of our history occured on June 24, 1921, when Madison Lodge No.5 raised its 1000th member. The lodge was authorized to hold a special meeting at the University of Wisconsin stock Pavilion by Grand Master Charles Shaffer, as this event was to be on a scale unprecedented in Wisconsin. The Pavilion was opened to entry at 5:00pm. Three hours later, at 8:00pm, the meeting was opened, it having taken that long to admit the 3,000 to 4,000 Masons in attendance. Grand Master William Weiler was conducted to the East and accorded the grand honors of Masonry. Forty-two Masters of lodges were invited to sit in the East, and the candidate, Professor Ransom Moore of the College of Agriculture was admitted and raised a Master Mason in due form.

In the early 1920's, Masons from several Madison lodges acquired land on which to build a new lodge building. Ground was broken in May, 1923 and the building was completed in September, 1925. The auditorium seats 1,300 and has a stage, choir loft and a pipe organ. In addition to many offices, the stucture also contains two lodge rooms, seating 200 and 350, a ballroom, full kitchen, classroom, a large lounge and the Robert Monteith Library and Museum. Originally called the Temple of Freemasonry, the building has been renamed the Madison Masonic Center, and was placed on the National Register of Historic Sites in the early 1990's.

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Last Update March 17, 2000