OJAI LODGE No. 663 History Research for the years prior to the consolidation of Ojai Lodge No. 663 with Ventura Poinsettia Lodge No. 214 was done Worshipful William Kavanaugh.
Past Masters of Lodge No. 663 Milton W. Phillips 1928 Barton K. Eakin 1953 Berkeley Brandt 1929 Clyde E. Harral 1954 Clark V. Miller 1930 James E. Collins 1955 Bert R. Griffin 1931 Merill R. Shelley 1956 William T. Fredrick 1932-33 Adrian W. Wisse 1957 Thaddus S. Timms 1934 Joe L. Lewis 1958 Lloyd F. Poplin 1935 Frank E. Stevens 1959 Art Koenigstein 1936 James L. Hickman 1960 Kenneth P. Sheldon 1937, 44 Donald R. Miller 1961 Charles Chaffee 1938 William E. Rinehart 1962 Alfred E. Houk 1939 Floyd P. Ayres 1963 Edward Byles 1940 William K. Ash 1964 Alva R. McCoy 1941 Robert H. Smith 1965 Jay O. Burnett 1943-43 Jerald F. Clausen 1966 Fred T. Jumper 1945 Charles E. Black 1967 Godfrey Jacobs 1946 Ted L. Julian 1968 Rudolf H. Drewes 1947 Ralph L. Cleveland 1969-70 J. Sidney DeRosa 1948 Fred H. Caulfield 1971 Carl M. Burgess 1949 Ian D. Atkinsen 1972 Clifford L. Harris 1950 James W. Norton 1973 B. Glen Wear 1951 Paul P. Ahlf 1974 M. Arthur Waite 1952 Robert L. King Jr. 1975
Mario O. Tognazzini 1976 Larry R. Deering 1988 Willard C. Knecth 1977 Richard C. Booth 1989 Douglas B. Hanks 1978 Maurice W. Bralley 1990 Arthur Comer 1979 Richard A. Tucker 1991-94 Norman C. Clarke 1980 Donnie A. Karner 1992 Merle R. Coke 1981 Brian W. Whitaker 1993 Kerry M. Hooper 1982 C. W. Chuck Grinter 1995 James S. Miller 1983 Edsel L. Galbraith 1996 Douglas J. Theriault 1984 David M. Nelson 1997 Harold L. Henson 1985 William H. VonMoltke 1998 Karl H. Bertelsen 1986 Wayne W. Dill 1999 E. H. Pete Mason 1987 Kenneth C. Adams 2000 Hiram Award Recipients of Lodge No. 633 Harry A. Foote 1980 Richard A. Tucker 1996 Douglas J. Theriault 1981 Ian D. Atkinson 1999 Alvin L. Strassburg 1982 Bryan W. Price 1984 Pete Mason 1985 Aaron Woolf 1986 Ralph L. Downard 1987 Merle R. Coke 1992 Robert L. King 1994 Ian D. Atkinson 1995
OJAI LODGE No. 663 Twenty-Three Brothers recognized by each other as Master Masons in good standing assembled at the Office of Ojai Power Co., on March 12, 1927, at 7:30 o'clock p.m. for the purpose of taking the necessary measures for the establishment of a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. The Brethren decided that the name of the new Lodge should be Ojai Lodge and named the Brothers that should be proposed in the petition for dispensation. A Committee of three was appointed to procure a proper room in which to hold the meetings of the Lodge. A Committee of three was appointed to secure subscriptions for such amounts as may be necessary to pay the fee for Dispensations and to defray any other immediate expenses. The Second Preliminary Meeting was held on October 27, 1927 at 7:30 o clock p.m. in the same place. The committee to secure the hall reported that the Ojai Holding Corporation had erected and finished a Lodge Building which would satisfy the requirements of the Grand Lodge. The rent would be $6.00 per night and the Lodge would have the Hall for six nights a Month or more if needed. These arrangements were approved. It was reported that $600 in subscriptions had been collected. The Third Preliminary Meeting was held on November 8, 1927 at 8:00 o clock p.m. in the same place. The Chairman reported that the District Inspector had issued a Certificate of the qualifications of the proposed Officers. The appropriate petitions, recommendations, certificates and fees were forwarded to Grand Lodge. The first Meeting Under Dispensation was held on December 17, 1927 at 8 o clock p.m. at the Hall of Ojai Lodge U.D. All of the signers of the petition with the exception of 2 were present. Worshipful D. J. Reese, Past Grand Master, conducted the Intuition Ceremonies. He then invested the Worshipful Master Milton W. Phillips and the Officers of Ojai Lodge U.D. with the jewels of their office, after which the Lodge was opened in due and ancient form in the third degree of Freemasonry. The By-Laws were then presented for adoption. The time and day the Stated Meeting were to be holden would be the second Tuesday in each month at eight o clock p.m. THE FIRST STATED MEETING Ojai Lodge U.D. assembled for the First Stated Meeting at the Hall of Ojai Lodge with Worshipful Master Phillips in the East. OUR FIRST DEGREE MEETING Ojai Lodge U.D. assembled for its First Special Meeting to confer its first Degree. One Candidate was introduced and initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason with Worshipful Master Phillips in the East on May 21, 1928.
WE RAISE OUR FIRST MASTER MASON Ojai Lodge U.D. assembled to confer its first Master Mason Degree. One Candidate after being found proficient in the Lecture of the Fellowcraft Degree was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on May 1, 1928. THE LODGE IS CHARTERED At the annual convocation of the California Grand Lodge in October, 1928, a Charter was granted to the new lodge. The first meeting under charter was held October 23, 1928 at eight o clock p.m. when the lodge was duly constituted and its officers installed by Most Worshipful Gustav A. Hutaff Grand Master. THE FIRST ELECTION AND INSTALLATION The first election of officers was held at the Stated Meeting of December 11, 1928, resulting in the election of Berkeley Brandt, Master; C. V. Miller, Senior Warden; and A. R. Griffin, Junior Warden. The first installation was held December 26, 1928. WE CHANGE OUR MEETING DAY An amendment to our By-Laws to change the day of the Stated Meeting from the Second Tuesday of the Month to the First Tuesday was presented and passed. CLARK V. MILLER At the Stated Meeting of January 7, 1930, Clark V. Miller was installed as Worshipful Master. WE CHANGE OUR MEETING DAY AGAIN An amendment to our By-Laws to change the day of the Stated Meeting from the First Tuesday of the Month to the First Wednesday to allow visitation with San Buenaventura Lodge No. 214 was presented and failed to carry at the April Stated Meeting. The amendment was again presented at the September Stated Meeting and was carried. WE CHANGE OUR MEETING DAY AGAIN An amendment to our By-Laws to change the day of the Stated Meeting from the First Wednesday of the Month to the First Tuesday because several members could not attend on that day was presented and passed. BERT R. GRIFFIN Bert R. Griffin was installed Master January 27, 1931.
THE LODGE PURCHASES THE HALL BUILDING The Lodge elected three Trustees to purchase the Masonic Hall on behalf of the Lodge. The Trustee reported at the December Stated Meeting the Masonic Hall had been purchased from the Ojai Holding Company for the sum of $10,000, $5,000 cash and a first mortgage of $5,000. The Title was conveyed to the Bank of America to be held in trust. The rent for the Lodge to be $50 per month. WILLIAM T. FREDRICK William T. Fredrick was installed January 19, 1932, as Master. EASTERN STAR CHARTERED It was in this year that Ojai Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star was chartered. OUR RENT IS RAISED The Lodge voted to raise its rent from $50.00 to $65.00 per month at the January Stated Meeting. WILLIAM T. FREDRICK time. William T. Fredrick was installed February 4, 1933, as Master for the second THADDUS S. TIMMS Thaddus S. Timms was installed January 23, 1934, as Master. LLOYD F. POPLIN Lloyd F. Poplin was installed January 22, 1935, as Master. ART KOENIGSTEIN Art Koenigstein was installed January 20, 1936, as Master. KENNETH P. SHELDON Kenneth P. Sheldon was installed January 19, 1937, as Master.
THE LOS ANGLES DEGREE TEAM OF THE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL CONFER A THIRD DEGREE FOR US The Los Angles Degree Team of the California Highway Patrol confer the Third Degree of Masonry on Brother Clyde Lunnen, a Fellowcraft, of Ojai Lodge No. 663 on February 26, 1938. The meeting was preceded by a very fine turkey dinner. It was noted that February 26 th will go down in the history of this Lodge as one of its outstanding meetings. ALFRED E. HOUK Alfred E. Houk was installed January 10, 1939, as Master. EDWARD BYLES Edward Byles was installed January 9, 1940, as Master. REVOCATION OF TRUST The Trustees for the Masonic Hall initiated a Revocation of Trust from the Bank of America and deed the property to Ojai Lodge No. 663 on August 6,1940 ALVA R. MCCOY Alva R. McCoy was installed January 14, 1941, as Master. JAY O. BURNETT Jay O. Burnett was installed January 27, 1942, as Master. JAY O. BURNETT Jay O. Burnett was installed January 26, 1943, as Master for the second time. WE INSTALL A TELEPHONE IN THE TYLER S ROOM A telephone was installed in the Tyler s Room. The installation cost and monthly charges were shared by the Lodge and the OES Chapter. WE REFINANCE THE MASONIC HALL The mortgage on the Masonic Hall being due the Lodge borrowed the sum of $2850.00 to satisfy the mortgage.
KENNETH P. SHELDON time. Kenneth P. Sheldon was installed January 11, 1944, as Master for the second FRED T. JUMPER Fred T. Jumper was installed January 23, 1945, as Master. GODFREY JACOBS Godfrey Jacobs was installed January 19, 1946, as Master. WE HOLD A MORTGAGE BURNING CEREMONY The Brethren of Ojai Lodge No. 663 joined with the Members of the Eastern Star on October 29, 1946 for a Mortgage Burning Ceremony. The Mortgage was able to be retired early by the efforts of the Lodge to gather contributions from the Brethren and friends. The festivities began with a impressive banquet, followed by the burning of the Mortgage by Brother Henry Davis assisted by Worshipful Fred Jumper. A motion picture depicting the construction the Masonic Temple. There was also a comedy skit East of Eden put on by the Art Center. RUDOLF H. DREWES Rudolf H. Drewes was installed December 7, 1946, as Master. MASONIC SUNDAY The Lodge attended a Masonic Service at the Ojai Presbyterian Church. The topic of the sermon was He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. J. SIDNEY DEROSA J. Sidney DeRosa was installed December 20, 1947, as Master. WE INSTALL A FIRE ESCAPE The long-anticipated Fire Escape for the second floor was finished in February.
WE REPLACE THE CARPET IN THE LODGE ROOM The Lodge formed a Committee to solicit contributions to replace the carpet in the Lodge Room. Though it took some time we were finally able to replace the carpet in the Lodge Room. CARL M. BURGESS Carl M. Burgess was installed December 17, 1948, as Master. WE INSTALL AN AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM A new Air Conditioning System including duct work was installed in the Masonic Temple. CLIFFORD L. HARRIS Clifford L. Harris was installed December 13, 1949, as Master. JOB S DAUGHTERS BETHEL FORMED A Job s Daughters Bethel was formed and will meet at the Masonic Temple. THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEMBERSHIP INCREASED A Resolution was presented and approved at the September Stated Meeting to increase the number of Trustees from 3 to 5 by including the Master and Senior Warden. B. GLEN WEAR B. Glen Wear was installed December 15, 1950, as Master. M. ARTHUR WAITE M. Arthur Waite was installed December 7, 1951, as Master. Most Worshipful Louis C. Drapeau, Grand Master, was the Installing Officer. OUR FIRST ANNUAL ROLL CALL The first Annual Roll Call of the members of Ojai Lodge No. 663 was conducted at the Stated Meeting on April 1, 1952. There were 56 members who answered present to the call of the roll. After the meeting an informal gathering the Brethren were favored with a guest speaker, Col. Memory Cain, a survivor of the Bataan Death March.
BARTON K. EAKIN Barton K. Eakin was installed December 6, 1952, as Master. CLYDE E. HARRAL Clyde E. Harral was installed December 5, 1953, as Master. WE INSTALL A NEW HEATING SYSTEM The new Heating System was installed for the Lodge Room in January. JAMES E. COLLINS James E. Collins was installed December 10, 1954, as Master. THE PARKING LOT GETS A FACE LIFT The parking lot received a new black top coating in October. MERILL R. SHELLEY Merill R. Shelley was installed December 16, 1955, as Master. THE VENTURA DEMOLAY CONFER A DEGREE FOR US The Ventura Chapter of the Order of DeMolay conferred the DeMolay Degree on a Candidate for us at the Ojai Masonic Temple on February 14, 1956. ADRIAN W. WISSE Adrian W. Wisse was installed December 14, 1956, as Master. MILTON W. PHILLIPS CALLED TO THAT CELESTIAL LODGE ABOVE Worshipful Milton William Phillips the First Worshipful Master of Ojai Lodge No. 663 was called to that Celestial Lodge Above on January 15, 1957. WE INSTALL A NEW HEATING SYSTEM The new Heating System was installed for the Dining Room in October. JOE L. LEWIS Joe L. Lewis was installed January 18, 1958, as Master.
FRANK E. STEVENS Frank E. Stevens was installed January 17, 1959, as Master. OJAI NIGHT AT SAN BUENAVENTURA LODGE NO. 214 On the evening of Tuesday April 21, 18 members of Ojai Lodge No. 663 journeyed to the Temple of our Sister Lodge San Buenaventura No. 214, where we were accorded the privilege of conferring Master Mason Degree on Brother Charles Strimple from Ojai Lodge No. 663. The San Buenaventura Officers opened the Lodge and the Ojai Officers conferred the Degree. SAN BUENAVENTURA AND POINSETTIA LODGES VISIT US On the evening of Tuesday June 16, members of San Buenaventura and Poinsettia Lodges journeyed to our Temple to confer the Master Mason Degree on Brother Lawren F. Izer from San Buenaventura Lodge No.214. The San Buenaventura Officers opened the Lodge and the Ojai and Poinsettia Officers conferred the Degree. JAMES L. HICKMAN James L. Hickman was installed December 18, 1959, as Master. DONALD R. MILLER Donald R. Miller was installed January 7, 1961, as Master. WILLIAM E. RINEHART William E. Rinehart was installed January 20, 1962, as Master. FLOYD P. AYRES Floyd P. Ayres was installed January 12, 1963, as Master. WILLIAM K. ASH William K. Ash was installed January 11, 1964, as Master. DEMOLAY CHAPTER INSTITUTED Ojai Chapter Order of DeMolay was instituted on May 21, 1964. ROBERT H. SMITH Robert H. Smith was installed January 9, 1965, as Master.
JERALD F. CLAUSEN Jerald F. Clausen was installed January 15, 1966, as Master. VENTURA LAW ENFORCEMENT BROTHERS PUT ON A 3 RD DEGREE The Masonic Brethren of the Ventura Law Enforcement Group conferred the Master Mason Degree on Brother Wilfred Dye at our Lodge on June 28, 1966. CHARLES E. BLACK Charles E. Black was installed January 14, 1967, as Master. TED L. JULIAN Ted L. Julian was installed January 13, 1968, as Master. WE REMODEL THE KITCHEN AND DINING ROOM Most of the year was spent on remodeling the Kitchen and Dining Room. RALPH L. CLEVELAND Ralph L. Cleveland was installed January 11, 1969, as Master. WE START A BUILDING FUND Due to the advanced age of the Masonic Temple, the Lodge decided to establish a Building Fund for when the eventual need to purchase a new building arose. RALPH L. CLEVELAND Ralph L. Cleveland was installed January 24, 1970, as Master for the second time. WE PUT SIGNS AT THE ENTRANCES TO OJAI In February of the Lodge installed signs informing those entering the City of the presence and address of Ojai Lodge No. 663. OUR DEMOLAY CHAPTER CLOSES The Ojai DeMolay Chapter having become inactive, turned their records and receipts over to the Lodge.
FRED H. CAULFIELD Fred H. Caulfield was installed December 19, 1970, as Master. THE EDISON MASONIC CLUB CONFERS A THIRD DEGREE The Brethren Edison Masonic Club conferred the Master Mason Degree on Brother Donald Beem at our Lodge on June 28, 1966 IAN D. ATKINSEN Ian D. Atkinsen was installed December 17, 1971, as Master. JAMES W. NORTON James W. Norton was installed December 15, 1972, as Master. PAUL P. AHLF Paul P. Ahlf was installed January 5, 1974, as Master. ROBERT L. KING JR. Robert L. King Jr. was installed December 21, 1974, as Master. WORSHIPFUL IAN ATKINSEN RESIGNS AS SECRETARY TO BE THE INSPECTOR OF THE 510 TH MASONIC DISTRICT Worshipful Ian Atkinsen resigned at the Stated Meeting in July to become the Inspector of the 510 th Masonic District. MARIO O. TOGNAZZINI Mario O. Tognazzini was installed December 19, 1975, as Master. WILLARD C. KNECTH Willard C. Knecth was installed December 17, 1976, as Master. DOUGLAS B. HANKS Douglas B. Hanks was installed December 9, 1977, as Master.
WE CELEBRATE OUR 50 TH ANNIVERSARY 1978. Ojai Lodge No. 663 celebrated 50 years as a Chartered Lodge on October 23, ARTHUR COMER Arthur Comer was installed December 15, 1978, as Master. NORMAN C. CLARKE Norman C. Clarke was installed December 7, 1979, as Master. Merle R. Coke Merle R. Coke was installed December 12, 1980, as Master. KERRY M. HOOPER Kerry M. Hooper was installed December 19, 1981, as Master. JAMES S. MILLER James S. Miller was installed February 19, 1983, as Master. DOUGLAS J. THERIAULT Douglas J. Theriault was installed January 14, 1984, as Master. WE HAVE A FLOAT IN THE 4 TH OF JULY PARADE The Lodge constructed a float for the annual Ojai 4 th of July Parade in July. Representatives of the Ojai Masonic Bodies rode on the float. HAROLD L. HENSON Harold L. Henson was installed January 12, 1985, as Master. WE INSTALL EMERGENCY LIGHTS With help from Ojai Chapter Order of the Eastern Star Emergency Lights were installed. KARL H. BERTELSEN Karl H. Bertelsen was installed January 11, 1986 as Master.
E. H. PETE MASON E. H. Pete Mason was installed January 10, 1987 as Master. THE JOB S DAUGHTERS BETHEL CLOSES The Job s Daughters Bethel held their last meeting on Wednesday November 5 th. The Bethel was required to surrender their Charter due to lack of members. LARRY R. DEERING Larry R. Deering was installed January 9, 1988 as Master. RICHARD C. BOOTH Richard C. Booth was installed January 7, 1989 as Master. MAURICE W. BRALLEY Maurice W. Bralley was installed January 6, 1990 as Master. THE OJAI MASONIC TEMPLE ASSOCIATION IS FORMED The Ojai Masonic Temple Association was formed on May 21, 1990. RICHARD A. TUCKER Richard A. Tucker was installed December 16, 1990 as Master. DONNIE A. KARNER Donnie A. Karner was installed December 15, 1991 as Master. BRIAN W. WHITAKER Brian W. Whitaker was installed as Master for 1993. RICHARD A. TUCKER Richard A. Tucker was installed as Master for the second time for 1994. C. W. CHUCK GRINTER C. W. Chuck Grinter was installed as Master for 1995.
EDSEL L. GALBRAITH Edsel L. Galbraith was installed as Master for 1996. DAVID M. NELSON David M. Nelson was installed as Master for 1997. WILLIAM H. VONMOLTKE William H. VonMoltke was installed as Master for 1998. WAYNE W. DILL Wayne W. Dill was installed as Master for 1999. KENNETH C. ADAMS Kenneth C. Adams was installed as Master for 2000. CONSOLIDATION WITH VENTURA POINSETTIA LODGE 214 Ventura Poinsettia Lodge No. 214 and Ojai Lodge No. 663 consolidated in March and held the first meeting of Ventura Poinsettia Ojai Lodge No. 214 May 6 th, 2003. THE OJAI MASONIC TEMPLE ASSOCIATION IS DISBANDED The Ojai Masonic Temple Association was Disbanded and the building sold on June 16, 2003.