The Official Website of:
Oakville Masonic Lodge # 599 F. & A.M.
4733 Winchester Road
Memphis, Tennessee 38118
Phone: (901) 363-3535
 E-mail: oakvillemasonic@bellsouth.net

This site was last updated on August 12, 2008

ABOUT US

Introduction

To aid in informing you about our organization the information has been organized into  a logical progression from a global concept to a localized perspective.

What is Freemasonry
(This material was taken from the Handbook of Tennessee Freemasonry published by the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Tennessee in 1986.)

Freemasonry is an organized society of men symbolically applying the principles of operative Masonry and architecture to the science and art of character building.  The purpose of the organization is to seek to improve our communities by strengthening and improving the individual man.  There is no definite date as to when Freemasonry was established.  Its roots extend in many directions, often beyond historical records.  Contrary to popular belief, Freemasonry is not a secret society.  Our lodges have signs announcing what the building is, we are listed in phone books, our members wear pins and rings as well as other items that reflect their membership.  Although most of our meetings are closed to non-members, there are several events that are open to the general public.  Freemasonry is not an organized religion.  It is an institution "erected to God" which begins its ceremonies and ends its meetings with prayer.  It teaches the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man.  It seeks to unify men of every sect, creed, and opinion within its ranks, with a spirit of tolerance.  No atheist can be made a Mason.

Our Grand Lodge

(This information copied from the Grand Lodge of Tennessee's website and can be accessed through our links page)

On December 27, 1813, in Knoxville, representatives for eight Lodges met and formed the Grand Lodge of Tennessee.

The eight were:
Tennessee #2, Knoxville
Greeneville #3, Greeneville
Newport #4, Newport
Overton #5, Rogersville
Solomon #6, Gallatin
Hiram #7, Franklin
Cumberland #8, Nashville and
Western Star #9, Springfield.

The Tennessee Grand Lodge was organized in the Lodge room of Tennessee #2, located in the old Court House which was at the north west corner of Main Avenue and Gay Street.

Prior to the formation of the Tennessee Grand Lodge, the Lodges were under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Grand Lodge, which from 1803 to 1813, was known as the Grand Lodge of North Carolina and Tennessee. With the formation of the Tennessee Grand Lodge, a charter was issued from the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, thought to be the only instance where one Grand Lodge chartered another.

More information on our Grand Lodge can be found by visiting our links page and clicking on the Tennessee Grand Lodge link.

Our Lodge

Oakville Lodge is chartered as a subordinate Lodge by the Tennessee Grand Lodge.  While the Grand Lodge oversees the philosophy and practices of the Lodges in their jurisdiction, it is the local Lodge that has the most impact on candidates and members.  The local Lodge is where a man will receive most of his instruction,  interact with his fellow members and shape himself based on these interactions.  His fellow Lodge members will become trusted friends to him and his family.  It is in his Lodge that he will give of himself to aid and support his fraternal brothers and receive from them their aid and support.  We at Oakville Masonic Lodge try to provide ample opportunities for brothers and their families to share friendship, fun, fellowship and the benefits of fraternal association.  Information on becoming a member can be found on our membership page.

Our Lodge building also serves as the home to the Oakville and Woodlawn Chapters of the Order of the Eastern Star.  Both Chapters are an invaluable asset to our Lodge.

 Our Lodge History

Our Lodge chartered as Oakville Lodge # 760 Free and Accepted Masons on March 28, 1956, by the Grand Lodge of Tennessee.  McLemore Avenue Lodge #715 which was originally chartered by the Grand Lodge of Tennessee on February 1, 1923 consolidated with Oakville Lodge on November 11, 1995.  Under the consolidation the Lodges became one Lodge under the name of Oakville Lodge #715.  On September 8, 1997, Stonewall Lodge # 723, originally chartered in 1924, consolidated with Oakville Lodge # 715.  At this consolidation, Oakville Lodge kept its name and number.  Whitehaven Lodge # 599 was originally chartered by the Grand Lodge of Tennessee in 1897.   In October 2000, anticipating a move to the Cordova area of Memphis, Whitehaven Lodge changed the name of the Lodge to Cordova Lodge # 599.  On December 1, 2005, Cordova Lodge #599 merged with Oakville Lodge # 715.  After this merger, the lodges became one lodge under the name of Oakville Lodge #599.

Oakville Lodge is honored to be the "Home Lodge" for three Grand Masters of Tennessee.

Stanley W. McDowell (*) Grand Master 1928

Lindsay B. Phillips (McLemore # 715) Grand Master 1939

J.D. "Tex" Tisdale (Oakville Lodge # 760) Grand Master 1990