Lodge History – Rockingham Union Lodge No. 27

The Beginning

In 1789, several members of Staunton Lodge No. 13 decided that travelling from Harrisonburg to Staunton for Masonic meetings was unsustainable. They sought endorsement from their Lodge, which had been officially chartered in 1786, to form a new Lodge in Harrisonburg. They received dispensation for their Lodge that year and on October 29, 1789, they were chartered as Rockingham Union Lodge No. 27 with William Herring as Master, Benjamin Smith as Senior Warden, and William Cravens as Junior Warden.

They held their first meeting on December 10th of that same year, during which several new members were initiated and several members of Staunton Lodge No. 13 were present in support. Brothers Benjamin Harrison, Francis Stuart, Charles McClain, John Epplier, Robert Cravens, Benjamin Smith, Jr., and Samuel McWilliams were those initiated that evening and all were raised within short order.

These early meetings were held in the home of William Cravens, whose home stood on what was called “Jail Hill.” This would be in the area of the present-day location of Otterbine United Methodist Church.

The First Masonic Temple

In 1795, the Lodge had procured the funds to build their first temple. This two-story log structure was erected on the southeast corner of the intersection of Federal Alley and East Market Street. This location is currently occupied by the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Child Day Care (as of 2025). The building was home to Rockingham Union on the upper level and housed several different tenants in the lower portion, including a school at various points. They held their first meeting in this temple on July 14, 1796.

Royal Arch Chapter

On February 11, 1808, permission was granted for several members to organize a Royal Arch Chapter and meet in the Lodge room. This Chapter would continue on for many years.

Uncertainty

For a period from June 24, 1814 to April 2, 1822, Rockingham Union Lodge did not meet and their charter was forfeited during this period. This was not an uncommon occurrence in Freemasonry during this period, but in 1822 a meeting was held during which Asher Waterman, who had been a member in Staunton with the charter members of Rockingham Union was elected Worshipful Master and the charter was given back to the Lodge. This sparked a revival in Masonry in the Harrisonburg area as the Lodge attracted new members and began fixing up their building.

Growth and a New Home

In the mid-19th century, Rockingham Union needed a new home as they had outgrown their original temple. In early 1860, they exchanged properties with D. H. Gambill who owned the “Old Stone Church” on East Market. They sold the church in short order and a lot on the corner of South Main Street and West Water Street, the current location of OASIS Fine Art & Craft. The cornerstone for this building was laid on July 4th, 1860, and included a fair and lots of festivities. The new Lodge building was dedicated on April 6, 1861.

A picture taken at the corner of S. Main St. & W. Water St. of the Rockingham Union Masonic Lodge, erected in 1860 and used until 1906.

During the Civil War, this temple was desecrated by Union forces under the command of General Fremont as they engaged General “Stonewall” Jackson during his Valley Campaign in 1862. These men removed the original charter granted to the lodge in 1789, requiring a copy to be requested. That copy is the one that still hangs in our lodge room to this day.

Eureka Lodge No. 195

At a meeting of Rockingham Union on December 5, 1863, a committee was appointed to endorse a Dispensation for the creation of Eureka Lodge No. 195 in Bridgewater. To this day, these two Lodges share a close relationship.

Linville Lodge No. 208

Linville Lodge was established in 1866 at Broadway Station. This Lodge persisted until 1888.

Shenandoah Lodge No. 125

On June 5, 1869, Rockingham Union endorsed the application for a Dispensation to be granted to establish a Lodge at Shenandoah Iron Works, now known as the town of Shenandoah. The Lodge persists to this day and is now known as Ashlar Lodge No. 125.

Massanutten Lodge No. 148

Rockingham Union endorsed the application for a Dispensation for Massanutten Lodge on November 4, 1871. A Dispensation was not granted until 1874, and the Lodge was chartered in 1875 for the Lodge to form in McGaheysville. The Lodge persisted until 1890, at which point it surrendered its charter. The next year, a charter was issued to form Elkton Lodge No. 74 (now Charles Franklin Shuler Lodge No. 74) and was made up of a significant number of members from Massanutten Lodge.

Centennial Celebration

On October 29, 1889, a special meeting was called to celebrate the centennial of Rockingham Union Lodge No. 27. An historical sketch had been compiled by Worshipful Joshua Wilton and was presented for the occasion. A special presentation was held at a local church with an address provided by Rev. S. K. Cox.

A Short Move

With continued growth and the addition of a Knights Templar Commandery, there was need for a new temple. Across Main Street from the second temple was the Reverse House, an inn and tavern that stretched between Water Street and Newman Avenue. Rockingham Union purchased the lot, which also stretched back to Federal Alley. They then sold the southern half of the lot and built the present-day temple on the northern portion.