Tennessee Freemasonry came into its own in 1813 when ten Tennessee Lodges (including Cumberland #8 located in Nashville) formed the Grand Lodge of Tennessee. From 1847 to 1848 three additional Nashville Lodges were granted their Charters; Sewanee Lodge #131 in 1847, Sequoyah Lodge #156 in 1848 and Nashville Lodge #142 in 1848. During this time all four Lodges met at Cumberland Lodge #8’s lodge building also known as the “Masonic Hall.”
The first mention of Sewanee No. 131 was in the proceedings of the Grand Lodge on October 4, 1847, when it appears among the Lodges under Dispensation (U.D.). It was represented by Dyer Pearl, J.F. Gibson and M.S. Pilcher, who were probably the Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens.
Nashville Lodge No. 142, U.D., first appears in the proceeding of the Grand Lodge in October 1848, when it was represented by John M Seabury, who was probably its Worshipful Master. Indications are that G.P. Smith was the Senior Warden and R. Stewart was the Junior Warden.
Sequoyah Lodge No. 156, U.D., also appears first in the proceedings at the same session, and was represented by T.A. Thomas, S.L. Shaw and George W. Taylor (probably the first three officers respectively.)
At the October, 1850, Annual Communication, each of these two Lodges reported thirty Master Masons on their rolls and was represented at that communication the following year, but neither was represented in 1852, nor was Sewanee represented.
At the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge in 1853, Grand Master A.M. Hughes, in his address, said: “It will be recollected by many members of this Grand Lodge that at the time of its session there existed four Lodges in the city of Nashville. Entertaining with many other Masons that this number was greater than the wants of the city required, and fearing their operation might not conduce to the harmony and efficient action of the fraternity, I prevailed upon the members of those three Lodges – Sewanee No. 131, Sequoyah No. 156 and Nashville No. 142 – to surrender their charters and take out a dispensation for a new Lodge. Acting upon this suggestion, the three Lodges entered into an agreement to this effect, and I granted them a dispensation, authorizing the brethren to open a new Lodge by the name of PHOENIX LODGE No. 131.”
The committee on Dispensation reported in favor of granting the Lodge a charter, which was done, and thus was PHOENIX LODGE NO. 131 formed –“A phoenix rising from the ashes of three dead Lodges.”
Phoenix Lodge No. 131, held its first meeting on December 27, 1851, under dispensation from the Grand Master. A charter was ordered and issued on October 6, 1852. The Officers named in the charter are: T.B Hamlin, W.M. D.D. Dickery, S.W. Williamson H. Horn, J.W.
The Lodge met in the Cumberland Lodge Building until a fire destroyed the building in July of 1856… destroying many of the records of the first 5 years.
In 1858, a cornerstone was laid by Cumberland Lodge for a Second Temple, and it was completed in time to be occupied by the Federal forces during the Civil War.
Phoenix Lodge met in various places during this period, and from December 1861 to December 1863 there were no elections of officers. This is the only exception to the continuous meeting of Phoenix Lodge throughout its 150+ years of existence.
Following the Civil War, Phoenix continued to meet in the Cumberland Lodge Building, Known as the Second Temple, until 1914 when Cumberland embarked on the building of their Third Temple. During the building phase Phoenix met at 306 7th Avenue North, and in 1915 416 ½ Union Street. On October 19, 1914 Cumberland laid the cornerstone of their new Temple, located at 319 7th Avenue. The building was occupied on December 13, 1915, and Phoenix stayed there until 1961.
In 1960 property was acquired at 3410 Hillsboro Road for a new Lodge building. Phoenix Lodge #131 which had utilized Cumberland Lodge facilities since its formation in 1852, decided to construct their own Lodge Hall on the aforesaid property. The first Stated Meeting was held on July 17, 1961. On August 7, 1984 the property at 3410 Hillsboro Road was sold to Belle Meade Builders, Inc. The last Meeting of the Lodge at this location was Called Meeting to confer an Entered Apprentice degree on August 20, 1984. On September 1, 1984 the Lodge began meeting in the Hall of Cumberland Lodge #8.
After careful search, the members of Phoenix Lodge #131 were unable to locate a suitable location upon which to erect a new Lodge Hall. In 1988 it was resolved by both Phoenix and Cumberland Lodges that Phoenix Lodge #131 would purchase a ½ interest in the Cumberland building, located at 4607 Sloan Road. After consideration by both Lodges, terms were agreed on, and the property was conveyed to joint ownership by Cumberland and Phoenix.
On June 1, 1990 a mortgage ceremony was held by the members of Phoenix to celebrate the final payment for their share of the building. Under the auspices of William H. Minneci, Worshipful Master of Phoenix #131 and Cecil W. Venable, Worshipful Master of Cumberland Lodge #8, a plaque was dedicated to the members of both Lodges bearing the inscription:
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
Phoenix Lodge #131 continues to work and live at 4607 Sloan Road, under her Charter, and the blessing of The Deity.
