About Corinthian Lodge

February 1, 1888 – Corinthian Lodge No. 573 Constituted

“Millvale Boro, February 1, A.D. 1888, A.L. 5888

An emergent meeting of Grand Lodge of Pa. F. & A.M. was held this day. Present: Brother Joseph Eichbaum, Right Worshipful Grand Master, and the other Grand Officers in their respective stations and places.”

Oakland Lodge #535 serving as Mother Lodge, and a long list of brothers from around Western Pennsylvania were recorded in the minutes.

“Grand Lodge opened in ample form at one o’clock and twenty minutes PM. The warrant for a new Lodge to be called CORINTHIAN Lodge No. 573, to be held in Millvale Boro, Allegheny County, was read.

” All in attendance, except Past Masters were excused and Brother Alexander M. Johnston was duly installed as Worshipful Master, in ancient form. The other officers were and installed in similar fashion.

“The Right Worshipful Grand Master then constituted and formed Brothers A.M. Johnston, S.H. Johnston, Harvey J. Wiles, William Sample, Christopher Horrocks, Albert M. Ketler, Joshua Ward, and Joseph H. Dempsey into a Lodge of F. & A.M. when the new Lodge was proclaimed duly constituted by the name of CORINTHIAN Lodge No. 573. Grand Lodge was closed in harmony at 3 o’clock and forty minutes P.M.”

With these proceedings, as recorded by Michael Nisbet, secretary, 

Corinthian Lodge No. 573 was established. Many of the most influential and active citizens of Millvale soon became members. The Lodge’s importance as a civic institution was illustrated when just seven years later on Tuesday July 23, 1895, at high noon, the cornerstone for the Millvale Boro Public School was laid at the corner of Howard Street and Stanton Avenue by the Right Worshipful Grand Master under the auspices of Corinthian Lodge No. 573.

As the Lodge grew, it became apparent that a more suitable meeting place was required. A Masonic Hall Building association was formed in March of 1909. Shares of stock were sold to members to support the erection of the building. Brother Thomas Herron was chosen as the architect to design the structure, and on January 4, 1911 the first meeting was held at the Millvale Lodge, located on Grant Avenue and Butler Street.

Members of the Lodge continued to make a positive impact on the community of Millvale, the state of Pennsylvania, the nation and the world as a whole. Many served in the various armed forces during the years of World War I, as did brothers across the state. So many in fact, that in September of 1917 The District Deputy Grand Master deemed it necessary to establish a Roll of Honor, and called for the remittance of dues for all members on active duty in service to their country. This policy remains in effect over 100 years later.