Lyons Masonic Lodge No. 37 & Lyons Order of the Eastern Star No. 334

The Lyons-Muir area has had a long history of fraternal and sororal organizations, established to bring men and women into closer “fellowship” with one another – what is sometimes called “social networking” and more often done electronically than in-person nowadays!  Among the area’s earliest such area organizations were the Freemasons (adult men-only) and the Order of the Eastern Star (open to both men and women, aged 18 and older).  

Freemasonry (i.e., referring to workers in freestone, a sandstone or limestone suitable for ornamental masonry) has its origins going back many centuries and in different phases, with the initial emergence of lodges of operative bodies of stone masons during the Middle Ages. Freemasonry is an oath-bound society devoted to fellowship, moral discipline and mutual assistance.  Many of the United States of America’s founding fathers and past presidents (including George Washington) were Freemasons.  The Order of the Eastern Star was established in 1850, and was approved as an appendant body of the Masonic Fraternity in 1873.  The Order of the Eastern Star is based on teachings from the Bible, aims to promote charitable and fraternal practices among its members, and serves as social order that encourages unity, morality and service.

Feeling the need to bring men in closer fellowship with one another, early settlers of the area (led by Hiram Brown from North Plains Township and a member of the Masonic Order in New York), instituted the Freemasons Blue Lodge of Lyons in 1848-1849, with its Charter No. 37 granted on January 10, 1850 by the Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, Detroit, Michigan.  The Lyons Masonic Temple, a newly erected two-story brick building in downtown Lyons, was completed in 1867.  The Kelley building, which joined the Masonic Temple on the west, was purchased by three societies in 1920 – the Blue Lodge, the chapter of Royal Arch Masons and the Order of the Eastern Star.  The second floor of the Kelley building was used as a dining room, kitchen and restrooms.  The Lodge No. 37 Freemasons symbol of the Square and Compass, with the letter “G” in the middle, represents morality and the importance of living a virtuous life, while emphasizing the divine and importance of knowledge.

After two earlier (beginning in 1870) unsuccessful attempts to form and maintain a permanent Order of the Eastern Star chapter in the area, the Lyons Order of the Eastern Star (O.E.S) Evergreen Chapter No. 334 was established and chartered in 1904.  In 1972, the Pewamo Order of the Eastern Star Chapter No. 376 consolidated with the Lyons Evergreen Chapter, increasing the membership at the time from 105 to 121.  The Lyons Chapter No. 334 O.E.S. symbol, a five-pointed star (a guiding light for members), represents key virtues of loyalty, self-sacrifice, courage, faith and love.  

The Lyons Masonic Lodge Chapter No. 37 and Lyons Order of the Eastern Star Chapter No. 334 were long-standing stalwart community organizations, with many outstanding and respected community members counted among their memberships over the years.  However, due to declining memberships and financial resources, both organizations ceased operations in 2011.  The few remaining members transferred to the Belding (MI) Masonic Lodge Chapter No. 355 and the Belding (MI) Order of the Eastern Star Chapter No. 75.  Following closure in 2011, ownership of the Lyons Masonic Temple building was deeded to the Village of Lyons for $1.00, with the provision that the Village would maintain a long-term lease (at $1.00 per year rent) with the Lyons-Muir Historical Society to continue operating the Historical Museum in the downstairs areas there.