ALLEN CHAPTER ORDER OF DE MOLAY

ALLEN CHAPTER ORDER OF De MOLAY. In 1919 the Order of De Molay, named for the last leader of the Knights Templar, was founded by Frank S. Land in Kansas City, Missouri. (1) By 1930 nearly every large city in the United States and many foreign countries had chapters. Locally the organization was brought to Dubuque by action at a regular meeting of the Masonic Lodge in March, 1921. A motion was made to gather as much information about the De Molay movement and report to the lodge members. With a favorable report, the local lodges took action to start a local chapter. (2)

A degree team from Cedar Rapids performed the ceremonies forming the Allen chapter. The Dubuque chapter for De Molay was organized on September 24, 1921 with the initiation of eighty-five candidates. At the end of the first year, the chapter had over 200 active members. As members reached twenty-one, they had the opportunity to begin membership in the Masonic Lodge. By 1930 it was estimated that approximately 600 had taken the degrees of the Allen chapter. (3)

Many of the activities of the organization in the early years involved athletics. A football team nearly won the semi-pro city championship. Outings were also planned to Frentress Lake. (4)

Realizing a need for a form of government, Allen chapter initiated a board of governors whose success led it to be adopted by other chapters. The board consisted of the principal officers and the heads of outstanding committees. The principal activities of the chapter were divided into six departments: attendance, athletics, entertainment, publicity, dance and property. The departments were directed by a governor selected by the incoming master councilor. (5)

Every Chapter of De Molay must have a Masonic Lodge as a sponsor. The Allen Chapter had three: Dubuque Lodge No. 3, Metropolitan Lodge No. 49. and Mosaic Lodge No. 125. (6)

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Source:

1. "De Mollay (sic) Boys' Club Organized," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, September 26, 1921. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=aEyKTaVlRPYC&dat=19210926&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

2. "Allen Chapter, De Molay, Holds Tenth Anniversary Celebration," Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal, September 21, 1930, p. 5

3. Ibid.

4. Ibid.

5. Ibid.

6. "De Mollay..."

The 1987 Dubuque City Directory listed 1155 Locust.