Pythagoras Lodge No. 383 will celebrate its sesquicentennial on Saturday, a milestone for the organization that restarted in Cassville after the Civil War.

Andrew Hoskins, lodge secretary, said the Lodge will celebrate the 105-year anniversary on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Lodge, located at 1704 Main St. in Cassville.

“We will have punch and cake, and we’ve invited the Grand Lodge officers from Jefferson City for a dedication,” he said. “They will commemorate the lodge, and the worshipful master will likely speak. For us, it’s a great honor to have them come from Jefferson City, and the pubic is also invited to attend because.”

Along with the public, all Shriners and freemasons are invited to attend.

Hoskins said the Pythagoras Lodge membership has grown in recent years, at 25 members currently. However, the group is still seeking younger members.

“We are trying to get younger people in because some of our our elderly or live out of the area, or can’t drive to the meetings,” Hoskins said.

Membership requires dues of $67.50 per year, and meetings are the third Thursday of each month, with dinner at 6 p.m. and the communication at 7 p.m.

Hoskins said along with expanding its membership, the Lodge is expanding its outreach.

“We’ve helped the backpack program over the years, and we intend to do a scholarship, likely to a Cassville student,” he said. “We try to be community-focused and involved in any way we can be.”

Masonry came to Barry County in May 1852, when Barry Lodge No. 130 was charted in Cassville. This Lodge was very shortlived, as it’s charter was removed three years later.

The John Dade Lodge No. 144 succeeded it in 1855 and was destroyed in 1861 during the Civil War. There is no record of a Masonic Lodge in Cassville from 1861 until March 7, 1871, when The Grand Lodge of Missouri granted a dispensation to Charles S. Bryan, William J. Cravens and several other brethren to form a Lodge under dispensation.

On April 3, 1871, Right Worshipful Bro. W. Street, DDGM, came to Cassville and set Pythagoras Lodge UD to work. The first officers were Charles S. Bryan, WM; William J. Craves SW; E.D. Stubblefield JW; W.G. Townsend, Treasurer; M.L. Atterbury, SD; M. Fithian, JD; J.W. Hawk Tyler; and J.C. Sellers Chaplian.

The Lodge worked under dispensation until Oct. 16, 1872, when it was granted a charter and became Pythagoras Lodge No. 383.

The first communication of the lodge was held Nov. 14, 1872, W. Bro.

James Robinson, DDGM, presided. The following officers were elected. Charles S. Bryan, WM; John Ray, SW; William Noel, JW; W.G. Townsend, Treasurer; and R.R. McGuire, Secretary. The appointed officers were M. Horine, SD; J.B.W. Bennington, JD; and J.W. Hawk Tyler.

According to a Lodge press release, the minutes of the early years are in good condition and are priceless, as the information contained in them tells of the zeal and fidelity the early brethern had for the fraternity.

A resolution was passed by these brethren to build a business building and Lodge Hall, the total cost not to exceed $300.

“We can see that masonry was a very cherished item, as dues were $2 per year, and some brethren had a hard time paying them,” the release said. “There are many instances of dues being paid .25 cents at a time.”

The Lodge took it’s first step in building when in November 1871 it approved a report of a committee, appointed for that purpose, recommended that the Lodge purchase $300 worth of stock in a company known as the Cassville Masonic and Odd Fellows Hall Co.

This company acquired title to building lots on the southeast corner of the Cassville square. The frame building erected on this lot burned on April 18, 1893.

The Hall was rebuilt immediately afterward, and the first meeting in the new building was held Nov. 18, 1893. The Hall was dedicated, and a picnic celebration was held on June 23, 1894. This building was in use for the next 96 years.

On April 17, 1984, the brethren of Pythagoras Lodge voted to sell the Lodge building and build a new Lodge Hall away from the downtown area. The property was sold in Nov., 1984 to Bro. R. Clell Wade.

“Bro. Wade graciously allowed the Lodge to lease the Lodge Hall for the sum of $1 per year until land could be purchased and a new Hall completed,” the release said. “In March, 1986, land was purchased on the corner of Business Route 37 and 18th Street, and plans for the new building submitted to Grand Lodge for approval. Approval was received from the Grand Lodge Building Supervisory Board in September 1986.”

The Cornerstone for the new Hall was laid on Nov. 23, 1986, in a ceremony conducted by M.W. Bro. P. Vincent Kinkead, Grand Master of Masons of Missouri.

“Construction began and thanks to the generous donations of time and money by several brothers, the Lodge was ready for official dedication in June 1989,” the release said. “On June 11, 1989, M.W.P.G.M. Thomas K. McGuire Jr., Opened a Specific Communication of the Grand Lodge of Missouri to preform the Ceremony of Dedication for our new Lodge Hall.

“The brethren of Pythagoras Lodge No. 383 are very proud of our Masonic Temple and invite all brethren to drop by and see a beautiful part of the Ozarks and visit our Lodge when you can.”

For more information on the Lodge’s sesquicentennial celebration, or to join, people may contact Hoskins at 417-459-9670.