Christopher L. Hodapp's Blog, page 39

Online Tour of the Detroit Masonic Temple

by Christopher Hodapp

If you've never had the chance to visit the world's largest Masonic building, Detroit's Masonic Temple, Brother Rob Moore, the docent, caretaker and all around good guy was interviewed for an online Youtube show called Powers Pow Wow . The result is a 90-minute, top to bottom video tour of this incredible architectural gem. 
Click the video above or follow the link HERE.

The Temple is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

NPR: 'Freemasons Say They're Needed Now More Than Ever.'

by Christopher Hodapp

NPR is running a story this weekend that I was lucky enough to be a part of:  Freemasons Say They're Needed Now More Than Ever. So Why Are Their Ranks Dwindling? 
I spoke with reporter Christianna Silva several weeks ago, and she actually comes from a Masonic family - both her father and grandfather were Masons. Along with myself, Ms. Silva included interviews with Illus. S. Brent Morris, author and editor of the Scottish Rite Journal, along with historians Dr. Jessica Harland...

George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789

by Christopher Hodapp

General Thanksgiving
By the PRESIDENT of the United States Of America A PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with gra...

GL of DC: Junior Grand Deacon Suspended Just Two Hours Before Elections Open

by Christopher Hodapp

In the annus horribilis that is 2020, I suppose none of us should be surprised by erratic or irrational behavior from even the best of men. Between the COVID plague isolation, the anti-social media civil war skirmishes, the fraying of human interaction, and the myriad frustrations that have accompanied nearly everything we all do this year, it's probably unfair to think that Masons could rise above the fray somehow. Hell, just the toilet paper hoarding alone would be enough ...

Masonic Author W. Kirk McNulty Passes

W. Kirk MacNulty portrait by Travis Simpkin


by Christopher Hodapp

My Brethren, the roll of the workmen has been called, and one Master Mason has not answered to his name. Brother Shawn Eyer reported on his Facebook page that esteemed Masonic author William Kirk MacNulty has laid down his working tools at the age of 88.

WB MacNulty was the author of three deeply thoughtful and philosophical books about Masonic symbolism:  The Way of the Craftsman (1988), Freemasonry: A Journey Through Ritual and Sym...

COVID: UGLE Suspends Masonic Meetings in England Again

by Christopher Hodapp

The Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England has once again ordered the suspension of all Masonic meetings throughout England in the wake of new increases in COVID cases. 
The order, which is effective today, was prompted by new government restrictions issued on Saturday. England has essentially ordered another nationwide lockdown and is forbidding nearly every kind of non-family gathering.
Royal Arch leadership in England has made a similar pronouncement concerning C...

"My King is dead" - Sean Connery, R.I.P.

by Christopher Hodapp

“Brother to a Prince and fellow to a beggar if he be found worthy.”
"I have been fellow to a beggar again and again under circumstances which prevented either of us finding out whether the other was worthy. I have still to be brother to a Prince, though I once came near to kinship with what might have been a veritable King and was promised the reversion of a Kingdom — army, law-courts, revenue and policy all complete. But, to-day, I greatly fear that my King is dead, and if I...

Shriners Statue in Connecticut Vandalized

by Christopher Hodapp

The Sphinx Shrine temple in Connecticut is the latest victim of statue vandalism this week.
Twice before in recent months, area malcontents attempted to unbolt and topple the iconic 'Editorial Without Words' sculpture in front of the Shriners' temple in Newington, but their prior efforts apparently failed to generate satisfactory attention. So, sometime before last Saturday, they returned and beheaded the statue. This time, the New Britain Herald picked up the story and inter...

Need seating for lodge or church? Act before this Friday!

by Christopher Hodapp

I saw this circulated on Facebook today. Does your lodge or church need bench seating? A church in Boise, Idaho must get rid of all of their pews by this Friday, October 23rd. 

They are selling these 12-foot-long bench pews (with attached kneelers) for a paltry $25 apiece. It looks like they have 20 of them (or did before this announcement). 
The Facebook listing is HERE.
Act fast. And bring a big truck.

Amity to Publish 'List of Lodges Masonic'

by Christopher Hodapp
As reported here last week, Pantagraph Publishing and Stationery has announced that they will not publish a new edition of the List of Lodges, Masonic for 2021 . After many decades of printing the List, Pantagraph is finally calling it quits. 

But there is good news to be reported. For several years now, Pantagraph has been working with the brethren who created the  Amity smartphone app , knowing this day would come, sooner or later. While the timing of Pantagraph's decision thi...