Jeffersonville
Lodge No. 468

Stated Meetings:
Second Tuesday of the Month
Jan-Jun/Sep-Dec @7:30 PM
23 S Main Street
Jeffersonville, OH 45128

Chartered October 22nd, 1873

A Dispensation for a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, to be known as Jeffersonville Lodge, was granted be the Grand Lodge of Ohio on December 5, 1872.  The Lodge was organized January 31, 1873, by Colonel Conrad Garst, Worshipful Master of Fayette Lodge #107 in Washington C.H. The twenty-one petitioners had been recommended and vouched for by Fayette Lodge #107, Jamestown Lodge #352 and Chandler Lodge #138 of London, Ohio. The time of each meeting was set to be on the first Friday on or after the full moon in each month at 6:30PM.  It was changed to the second and fourth Tuesday of each month on June 28, 1990, and has continued to the present day.

On January 14, 1995, the Lodge voted to build a new Temple for Jeffersonville Lodge.  The building was completed in 1999.

In March 1998, Lenore Lodge #512 of Sedalia, Ohio consolidated with Jeffersonville Lodge.  59 of the 99 members joined Jeffersonville Lodge, bringing the total number of members to 189.  Jeffersonville Lodge now has over 200 members.

At this writing, the current Master of Jeffersonville Lodge #468 was WB Robin King.

More History…

Jeffersonville Lodge No. 468, Free and Accepted Masons, was organized January 31, 1873, Col. C. Garris, of Washington C. H. The charter members were Mills Gardner, P. F. Johnson, James Straley, L. A. Elister, E. H. Bendle, Horney Robinson, J. C. Morris, William Wood, W. J. Horney, George Miller, Asberry Moon. J. W. Roebuck, W. F. Roebuck, G. L. Bush and Urban Hidv. Of the present history of this lodge, it may be stated that the records show that the present officers are A. A. Allen, worshipful master; W. O. King, senior warden; L. A. Kessler, junior warden; M. E. Wilson, secretary; F. A. Chaney, senior deacon; S. C. Morrow, junior deacon; C. R. Marshall, chaplain; G. H. Brock, master of ceremonies; J. C. Todd, Tyler. The membership of this lodge is ninety-eight. The blue lodge is the only degree of Freemasonry represented here.

Jeffersonville Lodge, No. 468, F. & A. M., was organized, January 31, 1873, by Col. C. Garris, of Washington, C. II. Charter members: Mills Gardner, P. F. Johnson, James Straley, L. A. Elster, E. H. Bendle, Horney Robinson, J. C. Morris, William Wood, W. J. Horney, George Miller, Asberry Moon, J. W. Roebuck, W. F. Roebuck, G. L. Bush, and Urban Hidy. The first officers were as follows: Mills Gardner, W. M.; P. F. Johnson, S. W.; James Straley, J. W.; P. J. Popejoy, secretary. From the organization until 187o Mills Gardner held the office of W. M., when he was succeeded by L. A. Elster, who continued until 1878, being followed by J. W. Roebuck, who served in this capacity until 1880.

Present officers: L. A. Elster, W. M.; J. T. Lott, S. W.; J. W. Horney, J. W.; W. C. Rickards, secretary; J. B. Fent, treasurer; J. W. Roebuck, 8. P.; J. W. Howard, J. D.; J. F. McKillip, Tyler; James Straley and W. J. Horney, stewards.

List of Master Masons belonging to this lodge: W. W. Allen, Abel Armstrong, E. H. Bendle, 6. L. Bush, O. V. Creamer, J. R. Conner, James Dobbins, L. A. Elster, J. B. Fent, C. W. Gray, Urban Hidy, J. W. Horney, W. J. Horney, John Hieronimus, J. W. Howard, J.-W. Jones, J..T. Lott, George Miller, Asberry Moon, C. R. Marshall, J. F. McKillip, J. W. Roebuck, W. F. Roebuck, Horney Robinson, W. C. Rickards, James Straley, J. L. Straley, William Wood, David Creamer, Charles B. Coc, George A. Gaskill, and J. N. Vates.

Jeffersonville Masonic Lodge #468 History 1998 thru 2022

Jeffersonville Lodge #468 has been active in the community of Jeffersonville more in the last 25 years than previous 125. The Lodge was active in community events such as Jeffersonville Community Days where several members served as chairmen for many of the events. The Silent Auction assisted the Jeffersonville Veterans Memorial committee to acquire the funds to build the park across from the Lodge. Lodge members served on the committee and continue to serve as caretakers for the park

                The Jeffersonville Memorial Day Parade and 4th of July parade has been a mainstay in the community for more than 50 years. Lodge members have helped organize each event and have been parade chair actively for the past 30 years. A member of the Lodge has continuously served as parade chairman for both events for more than 25 years.

                When local organizations needed help the Lodge and its members were there in the fore front. From Dinners in the Lodge to helping the local volunteer fire department raise funds for equipment to the local cub scout pack holding a pinewood derby in the dining room, this lodge has always put the community first. Local 4-H Clubs use the Lodge Dining room for meetings during the winter and several local churches have used the dining room for fund raisers. Jeffersonville Lodge continues to help other local organizations. We have sponsored Little League teams, sponsored local young men and ladies to Ohio American Legion Boys and Girls State programs, continue to do fund raisers for both the local and state Special Olympics programs. We continue to partner with our local Eastern Star Chapter sponsoring families at Christmas and help provide hats and gloves to school children in the local area.

                The Lodge saw tremendous growth in the early 2000’s with the Grand master’s Classes. In 2002, the lodge raised 38 Master Masons with only 11 being part of the Grand master’s Class. 2003 and 2005 saw a similar growth in membership. In 1999 Membership of Jeffersonville Lodge was 169. The success of the Grand master’s program increased the Lodge to 218 in 2005.

                Jeffersonville has had many successful members including RWB Ron Sears who was the Lodge’s first District Education Officer as well as its first District Deputy Grand Master.  Sadly, RWB Sears never completed his term as DDGM, falling to a heart attack in early 2009. In 2004 WB David Morrow was recognized for his 50 years of involvement with the Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award. This was a new award to be presented to masons who have given service to the BSA Scouting program. The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania manages this Award. WB Morrow was only the 33rd in the state of Ohio to receive the award at the time. WB Mark Hoppes was recognized in 2009 as the 77th Mason in Ohio to receive the DCBMS. WB Paul Clark was appointed District Education Officer in 2021.

                The Lodge has been fortunate to have 5 of its members recognized as Knights of the York Cross of Honor. RWB Ron Sears, WB Dale Evans, WB Larry Allen, WB Paul Clark, and WB Mark Hoppes.

                Jeffersonville Lodge has been an ambassador between masonic groups in other countries. On two occasions Jeffersonville Lodge Hosted the Canadians. In June of 2005 at a Special Meeting with the Past master’s Unit of Aladdin Shrine, Bro Jamie Fields was raised to the sublime degree of MM by the unit. RWB James Krein conducted the degree in costume.

Jefferson Chapter 300 OES provided lunch

 After lunch the Canadian Durham Police Masonic Team opened the Lodge Canadian style. Bro James Fields was raised to the sublime degree of MM by the Canadians

RWB Ron Winnet, Jr Grand Warder was presented to the east for Grand Honors and gave comments on the outstanding degrees given that day. There were 110 brethren present for the event

                The Lodge has planned and hosted several Outdoor Raising events with the Lodges in Fayette County. Members of each Lodge have served in various roles of the degree to provide a unique prospective of the Master Mason degree.  RWB Ron Sears and WB Doug Sears provide the family pond along with appropriate stones for the event. Sadly, with RWB Sear’s passing that part of the farm has been sold. Other Fayette County Lodges have had outdoor events assisted by Jeff 468.

                Jeffersonville Lodge has been a leading group in providing summer activities for local youth. Since 2017 the Lodge has been one of the sponsors for providing a fun day during June, July, and August of each year for the youth of Jeffersonville.  The Lodge, along with local churches, provided food and games for youth in the Jeffersonville area. In 2020 the Village of Jeffersonville became involved and provided the community swimming pool for the activity. On average over 300 youth were present at most events.

                Jeffersonville Lodge #468 has been a pillar in the community for the past 150 years, Its continued support and dedication

 will continue into the next 150 years.