Pyramid Lodge #43
Reno NV
Compiled and written by MW Gordon F. Wessell, Past Master of Pyramid Lodge, 1971 and Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Nevada, 2001.
On November 1, 1958, the Master Masons of Stead Air Force at Reno, Nevada presented a petition to the Grand Lodge of Nevada to form a Masonic Club to be known as the Stead "Square and Compass Club". Most Worshipful Yale Williams, Grand Master, instituted this club and installed the officers on November 8, 1958.
On June 3, 1960, Most Worshipful Royal D. Crowell, Grand Master, issued a dispensation for Pyramid Lodge U. D. and on June 4, 1960 Instituted this Lodge. The Stated Communication to be held the First Thursday of each month except July and August and the meeting to be held in the Virginia Room, (now known as the Pyramid Room), Masonic Building, 40 West First Street, Reno, Nevada.
"Petition for a dispensation to form a new Lodge" was presented to the Grand Lodge on June 4, 1960, by Brother Albert R. Bylund, Worshipful Master, Brother Gordon C. Bovett, Senior Warden, and Brother Bernard Newton, Junior Warden. Recommendation of a petition for the "Institution of a new Lodge" lists the signers of the petition, 43 in number, and all Master Masons in good standing. The dues were very expensive at the time of dispensation, being a grand total of $9.00 per year.
On November 13, 1961, a Charter was issued to Pyramid Lodge U. D. and on November 17, 1961, Most Worshipful Walter A. Ray, Grand Master, constituted and consecrated Pyramid Lodge Number 43."Pyramid Highlights"
The first petitions were received on July 7, 1960, Communication No. 2 were from Ray (Landon) Lapaho, Melvin W. Beaver, Lyle M. Shipley, John G. White, James H. Bright, Gene A. Good, and Donald B. Frazier.
On Saturday, October 15, 1960, Communication No. 14, Albert R. Byland, Worshipful Master, opened Lodge on the Third Degree for the purpose of raising the first Master Masons of Pyramid Lodge U. D. The five Brothers raised were Ray (Lapaho) Landon, Melvin W. Beaver, Lyle M. Shipley, Donald B. Frazier, and Jerry H. Reyburn.
In 1962 Gordon C. (Kid) Bovett was elected Worshipful Master, and by the end of his year, held the record for the Master with the most degrees. 25 Entered Apprentices, 23 Fellowcraft, and 24 new Master Masons added to our rolls, and membership was raised from the original 43 Charter members to 99 members.
Communication No. 107, March 7, 1963, Pyramid Lodge voted to Sponsor Pyramid Assembly No. 20, International Order of Rainbow for Girls.
During WB Melvin Beaver's year as Master, 1966, Stead Air Force Base closed and Pyramid lost numerous officers and members, roll call sounded like roll call at the United Nations. Thanks to great leadership and dedicated Masonic brothers constantly working to save our Lodge, we didn't have time to look back. Within one year, thanks to the leadership of WB Chester King, we trained new officers and survived.
In 1988, during WB Richard Anderson's year, membership reached the peak of 210 Masons, since that year membership has dropped about 60 Masons.
Pyramid Lodge is involved in Community Projects, Charity, and Brotherly love and invites and welcomes all of our Brethren to visit with us!