Masonic Villages of The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania history

In Dorothy Ann Lipson’s book, “Freemasonry in Federalist Connecticut, 1789-1835,” she describes how: “Masonic charity differed in its underlying assumptions and in its style from civic charity.

Union Lodge, after bitter dissension, began to set in, declared itself independent and in July 1837, formed Hiram Grand Lodge.

However, these two diverging groups re-united in 1847 as — the Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons of Pennsylvania under the newly organized National Compact of Grand Lodges.

The Masonic Village at Lafayette Hill originated as The Masonic Home of Pennsylvania, founded in 1871.

1, 1872, reports communicated that sufficient funds had been received to meet all legitimate needs; yet, still more contributions arrived.

With Willson’s help, The Masonic Homes of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania was established in 1910 in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.

First providing a home and services to aging Freemasons and their spouses, a few years later, in 1913, the first children were accepted for care, beginning what is now called the Masonic Children’s Home.

In 1916, the Philadelphia Freemasons Hospital opened, providing nursing and personal care services; this building has been expanded and renovated and is now known as the Masonic Health Care Center and Freemasons Building.

The influenza outbreak of 1918 devastated the world, killing an estimated 50 million people in contrast to the 16 million who died during World War I. With soldiers trekking across battlefields and returning home, the virus spread rapidly.

Following the formation of the Masonic Service Association in 1919, Masonic relief was provided to numerous countries and within the United States following natural disasters including earthquakes, tornados, floods, hurricanes/typhoons, tsunamis and wildfires, as well as terrorist attacks.

McCaskey High School track star Barney Ewell won a gold medal at the 1948 Summer Olympics.

Previously located in Philadelphia, this haven for poor and sick Pennsylvania Freemasons relocated to Montgomery County in 1976 and currently offers continuing care retirement services for more than 270 residents.

The Grand Lodge granted their prayer and by November 1977, the two Lodges joined the Grand Lodge of South Africa.

To provide services to those living in western Pennsylvania, the Masonic Village at Sewickley, formerly the Valley Care Nursing Home, was founded in 1984.

The first retirement living apartments and cottages were opened in 1989.

In 2001, the three phase-construction of 227 retirement living apartments, 35 villas and a clubhouse with a bank, convenience store, library, dining room, salon and computer resource center was completed.

To fulfill the original vision of the Pennsylvania Masonic founders, which was to offer three Masonic Homes across the Commonwealth, plans began in 2002 for the Masonic Home of Pennsylvania and the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania to merge to become one Masonic Homes family.

In 2004, the community changed its name to Masonic Village to better reflect the vast array of services it offers to people of all ages.

In 2005, the Masonic Villages’ board of directors and the Irem Shrine entered a joint venture to develop a retirement community located high atop the Endless Mountains Region of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

17, 2007, the first residents moved into their new villas.

In 2014, renovations to the Valley Care Masonic Center and the construction of a 66,000 sq. ft. addition were completed.