Sesser-Goode Lodge Officers 2012
About Us
Kelly Coleman, Worshipful Master

Joe Canup, Senior Warden

Phil Coomber, Junior Warden

Keith Brown, Treasurer

Ralph Bunton, Secretary

Joe Kloepper, Senior Deacon

Larry A. Martin, Junior Deacon

Wm. A. Bunton, Chaplain

John Gulley, Senior Steward

David Thery, Junior Steward

Clarence Gulley, Marshal

J. Larry Martin, Tyler
Lodge History
                                                                   Sesser Lodge # 918 History

    The original lodge was organized in 1876 as Goode Lodge.   Bro. George W. Harris was the first
    Worshipful Master of Goode Lodge.  The lodge was located in Bear Point a small settlement just west of
    what is now Sesser.   The lodge hall occupied the upstairs of the Bear Point School; this was a small two
    story log cabin.  The children that attended the school were told not to go up stairs because the "goat"
    would get them.  The school was located about 1/4 mile from the Brayfield post office, the children were
    sent by their teacher to the pick up the family’s mail and also to draw water for the school.   Unfortunately
    this building and all of the original lodge records were destroyed by fire.
    Just after the turn of the century, Sesser was a small community just getting started while Valier was an
    established coal mining town.  It was decided to establish a new lodge in Sesser with the existing Goode
    Lodge going to Valier.  Of the original membership of the Goode Lodge approximately half went to
    establish the new Sesser Lodge while the remainder went to Valier and Goode Lodge.   
    Sesser Lodge # 918 A.F. & A.M. was granted a charter from the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the State
    of Illinois on October 12, 1910.  The three principle officers of the new Sesser Lodge were; W. Bro. George
    W. Harris, Worshipful Master, Bro. Riley D Webb, Senior Warden, and Bro. Caras A. McBride, Junior
    Warden.  These names and the rest of the supporting brethren are still common in the community today.  
    Fire seemed to plague the Sesser lodge.  A fire shortly after the charter was issued completely destroyed
    the lodge and all of its records.  The charter that hangs on the wall today is the one that was reissued by
    the Grand Lodge in 1915.    The lodge hall was again destroyed by fire in the 1930's and in 1938 the lodge
    moved to the Moudy Building on Franklin Ave. (Main Street).  Another fire in 1989 in adjacent building
    made the upstairs of the lodge unsafe to use.  All of the lodge records were saved from the last two fires,
    with only damage or loss to the buildings them selves. After the fire in 1989, plans were put in place to start
    looking at the possibility of constructing a new building.  During this stage lodge meeting were held in the
    downstairs part of the old lodge hall.  The lodge had to employ the use of the Sesser Community Building
    for special functions, installations, degree dinners, etc.  
    In the fall of 1989, plans were presented and approved for the present lodge building.   At about the same
    time ground was purchased on the East side of Sesser 612 - 618 East Franklin Ave.  This is just three
    blocks past the railroad tracks on the North side of Hwy. 154.
    Construction of the new building started in the spring of 1990.  The building was largely constructed and
    financed using donations and volunteer labor.  Several friends from the community and families of
    members pulled together to make this dream a reality.  
    A point worthy of noting is that the Sesser Masonic lodge felt very strongly about not leaving the old
    building on Main Street as an eye sore or hazard.  Even before the construction of the new building had
    started a search for a suitable buyer was under way.   This was to be someone that had a need for the
    property and that would either repair and maintain the present structure or take the structure down and
    clean up the area.  Such a buyer was out there and the deal was made so that when the new building was
    ready the old one would be taken care of.  The pride in our community and how we as group show that
    pride, has always been a tradition at Sesser lodge.
    The new Sesser Masonic Temple was dedicated on August 25, 1991.
                                                                                            
    Sesser-Goode Lodge is a combination of two lodges that merged in 2005;  Goode Lodge # 744 and
    Sesser Lodge # 918.  This had been a great asset for both lodges.  Coming soon will be the combined
    history of the these two historic lodges and the communities they support.
9th Southern District

William "Bill" Morgan, District Deputy Grand Master
Sesser-Goode No. 744