Purpose

Baylor Lodge No. 125

Restoration Project

PO Box 2350

Brenham, TX 77834

By: Chris G. Dalrymple D.C.

1) To Memorialize Judge R. E. B. Baylor with the Masonic Lodge that HE started and that was named in his honor.  A War of 1812 veteran, a lawyer, a state representative, a Mason, an ordained Baptist minister, a congressman, a judge, a missionary teacher and law professor, a framer of the Texas Constitution, a founder of Baptist associations, and of a University that bears his name, Judge R. E. B. Baylor is worthy of remembrance.

2) To offer an Historic Masonic home to the Baylor Nation.  The Baylor Nation pertains to “all things Baylor University.”  With the restoration of Baylor Lodge No. 125, the Baylor Nation will be able to include a Masonic Lodge founded by Judge Baylor as part of their historical heritage.

3) To work with the Texas Baptist History Museum to protect the Baptist History associated with Baylor Lodge No. 125.  Not only was Judge R. E. B. Baylor a strong proponent of the Baptist traditions, but President of Baylor University, Henry L. Graves, and early Baptist missionary David Fisher were charter members of Baylor Lodge No. 125.  Working with the Texas Baptist History Museum in Independence will serve to help Texas to keep its Baptist History from fading.

4) To assist in the preservation and promotion of the history of Independence, Gay Hill, Baylor University, and Texas Baptists.  Judge Baylor, The Masonic Lodge in Independence, Milam Lodge No. 11 (demised and restored in West Texas in the 1990s), and Baylor Lodge in Gay Hill contain a rich history of metropolitan life on the Texas frontier in the mid to late 1800s.  Baylor Lodge No. 125 may work in assisting and preserving such heritage.

5) To work with other Masonic Lodges in the region to share early Texas Heritage.  Baylor Lodge No 125 will actively work to maintain the historical focus of the region it serves and will work with others who are interested in learning about the history of this region.

6) To offer programs for education, plans for fellowship, time for Masonic practice, and projects to assist our community.  One of the key features of Baylor Lodge No. 125 should be regular programs of education, for fellowship, and times of Masonic practice, and to serve in projects that assist in building up communities.

7) To serve as the historic Masonic Home of R.E.B. Baylor.  Judge R. E. B. Baylor was a Mason and was proud of it.  He served as the Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Texas on three separate occasions.  It is fitting that Baylor Lodge No. 125 serve as the Masonic Home for Judge R. E. B. Baylor.  As Mt. Vernon is associated with George Washington, and Baylor at Independence is associated with the Baylor Universities, so should Baylor Lodge No. 125, the lodge that the man founded and served in until his death, serve as the Masonic home of all things associated with his heritage.

8) Baylor Lodge is anticipated to be a “heritage lodge”, a masonic meeting place, and organization where the heirs of the history of Texas, Washington County, Baptist heritage, Baylor Universities, and Freemasonry may meet for education, fellowship, service, and enlightenment.