Lodge History
On the 26th of October,1948, Master Masons in the Yokohama area petitioned for, and received, a dispensation from the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines to form, open, and hold a Masonic Lodge.
The officers therein named were: Brother Herbert Wolff, Worshipful Master; Brother Herbert Lee Ellison, Senior Warden; and Brother Abraham Jacobson, Junior Warden.
Far East Lodge U. D. opened and held meetings under this dispensation until the 31st of December, 1948, at which time the Lodge submitted to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Philippines all records, forms, and transactions of the Lodge activities, together with a petition praying for a charter.
On the 27th of January, 1949, Far East Lodge U. D. was granted Charter Number 124, thereby becoming another Masonic Lodge legally constituted and chartered under the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Philippines [see original lodge banner]. Consecration ceremonies were conducted by officers of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Philippines on the 17th of March, 1949, and the following officers installed:
Bro. Abraham Jacobson Worshipful Master
Bro. Herbert Lee Ellison Senior Warden
Bro. Elmer O. Hinman Junior Warden
Bro. Richard B. Eldridge Treasurer
Bro. William J. Eichorn Secretary
On the 16th of March, 1957, the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Japan was formed. With the formation of the Grand Lodge of Japan, Far East Lodge No. 124 returned the charter under which it had been working to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Philippines, and was issued a charter by the newly formed Grand Lodge of Japan. Far East Lodge No. 124, under the jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Philippines, thus became, on the 16th day of March, 1957, Far East Lodge No. 1, under the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Japan. Elective officers of Far East Lodge No. 1 in 1957 were as follows:
Bro. Nohea O. A. Peck Worshipful Master
Bro. William P. Connors Senior Warden
Bro. John A. Alford Junior Warden
Bro. Henry C. Racicot Treasurer
Bro. Lawrence G. Kaye Secretary