Building a Masonic Edifice
The 2nd Degree of Lyndhurst Temple
As the trees begin to show the effects of a new spring by blossoming
forth with buds and leaves; as the birds begin to appear, as if from nowhere,
to declare that spring is here; as at the call of spring the plants begin
life anew and start to push their forms above the surface of the earth;
so is a new life beginning to push its form up from beneath the earth's
surface in the fair and young City of Lyndhurst, Ohio. 
With
the advent of spring 1961, this new life has reached the second stage
of its development, and is now ready to be prepared to take on further
growth and development towards its maturity.
And so it came about, that a formal gathering took place on the beautiful afternoon of Sunday, May 14, to officially dedicate this new life by the act of the Laying of its Cornerstone.
The
ceremonies began with a procession headed by the Al Koran Shrine Kilty
Band in full regalia, with its wonderful pipes and drums to stir the steps
of the marchers. An Escort and Honor Guard comprised of 40 Sir Knights
of Coeur de Lion Commandery, K.T., led the 240 Master Masons and the representatives
of the Grand Lodge of Ohio to the building site.
An emergent communication was declared open by Most Worshipful Brother,
Charles H. Strayer, Grand Master of Masons in Ohio. The Invocation by
Rt. Wor. Bro. H. A. L. Grindon, Grand Chaplain, was followed by an acapella
vocal solo of Malotte's "The Lord's Prayer", rendered by Miss
Mary Ann Hodnick.
Wor. Bro. George Horlacher then presented the Honorable Elmer T. Elbrecht,
Mayor of Lyndhurst, who gave us great encouragement with his words of
welcome. 
Congressman
Frances Bolton, in her gracious and charming manner, expressed her deep
gratitude and thanks for being privileged to take part in this auspicious
undertaking. We thank her for her kind and meaningful words.
Then followed the presentation to the assembled crowd of about 1000, the
presiding officers of the organizations that will meet in the new Temple;
the architect; the contractor and his officials. The meeting was then
turned back to Grand Lodge, and after introducing representatives of the
other Grand Bodies in attendance, 
Most
Wor. Bro. Strayer proceeded with the ceremony of the Cornerstone Laying.
This function being completed in due form, the Grand Master called upon
Most Wor. Bro. Wm. R. Pringle, P.G.M., Most Wor. Bro. John Barkley, P.G.M.,
and Rt. Wor. Bro. Colin B. Montis, J.G.W., to say a few words. Worthy
of note is the fact that Most Wor. Bro. Barkley gave a short, short speech;
in fact, only the outline of his speech. We quote it verbatim, "The
first part - Congratulations; the second part - Good Luck!". He is
going to have to go some to top this one on the next occasion.
The remarks of Most Wor. Bro. Strayer were most appropo and in keeping
with the thought of growth and development.
With the Benediction by Rt. Wor. Bro. Grindon, and a solo "Open the
Gates of the Temple" by Miss Hodnick, the ceremonies were completed
and the communication declared closed. The entire program for the afternoon
was under the able direction of the Grand Marshal, Rt. Wor. Bro. Albert
C. Merkle, D.D.G.M.
As the seed planted in the fall begins to sprout in the spring, so has the seed of the Lyndhurst Masonic Temple been planted with the Breaking of Ground last October, 1960 - the First Degree. Now, in the spring, it has sprouted with the Laying of the Cornerstone, and has been Passed to the Second Degree. We look forward to the Raising - the Third Degree - the Dedication of the Temple in the fall.
Lyndhurst Masonic Center
5516 Mayfield Rd
Lyndhurst, Ohio 44124
Phone: (440) 442-9714
