The first meeting of Iris Lodge was held under dispensation on Monday evening, February 4, 1852, in the Lodge Room of Cleveland City Lodge, in the old Forest City block at 88 Superior Avenue. The following officers were in the chairs: A. D. Bigelow, Worshipful Master; William Beaumont, Senior Warden; Robert Reilly, Junior Warden; E. R. Griswold, Senior Deacon; I. A. Cran, Junior Deacon; William Milford, Treasurer; Gaston G. Allen, Tyler; and E. L. Knight, Secretary. In addition to adopting its first constitution and by-laws, the Lodge voted that the first three degrees would be $20.00 and annual dues would be $3.00. The first candidate to petition Iris Lodge was Horatio P. Satchell. The first annual lease for the lodge room was executed in April of 1852, for the annual rate of $150.00. The Secretary, Bro. E. L. Knight donated the first Holy Bible that would adorn the altar on May 23, 1853. The charter for Iris Lodge was authorized by the Grand Lodge of Ohio on October 22, 1852, at the Grand Lodge meeting in the city of Chillicothe, Ohio, upon the motion of Deputy Grand Master A. D. Bigelow, after inspection and approval by him. On February 28, 1953, the Worshipful Master announced to the twelve Charter Members of Iris Lodge that the charter had been received, and it was then that the first election and installation of Officers was held. In August of 1853, the entire lodge and all Ohio Masons were shocked to learn that the Worshipful Master, who was also the Worshipful Deputy Grand Master of Ohio, Bro. A. D. Bigelow, passed away in New Orleans when he fell victim to yellow fever.
The first meeting of a group of zealous Masons, who were desirous of forming a new Lodge, was held on Thursday, December 12, 1907 at Woodward Masonic Temple. Most Worshipful Brother Frank S. Harmon, Past Grand master of the brand Lodge of Ohio was nominated and unanimously elected as Chairman. Nominations for the officers who were to be recommended to the Grand Lodge were next made. A ballot was taken which resulted in the election of Past Master Bro. C. W. Hunt (of Western Star Lodge No. 21 in Youngstown) as Worshipful Master. Bro. Plym Davis as Senior Warden and Past Master Bro. E. E. Beam as Junior Warden. A few meetings later, Wor. Bro. Beam asked the Brethren, due to his inability to be regular in his attendance, to elect another Brother in his place and Bro. F. N. Levens was elected as Junior Warden. Among the several names suggested for the new lodge were Wade Park, Doan, Boulevard, Damascus and Ionic. After these names were suggested, the name of “Brenton D. Babcock,” a man whose memory is revered by Masons throughout the State of Ohio and the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite was proposed. After fitting remarks were made by Most Wor. Bro. F. S. Harmon and others, the name Brenton D. Babcock was chosen as the name of the new lodge. The first meeting under dispensation, for the organization, receiving of petitions, and other business to be considered was held on Saturday, March 14, 1908. The Lodge was Constituted and Consecrated by the representatives of the Grand Lodge of Ohio on November 2, 1908 under the Charter as granted on October 22, 1908 to “Brenton D. Babcock Lodge No. 600 F. & A. M.” by the Grand Lodge Officers in session in Cincinnati, Ohio to 128 members and after this the Officers of the Lodge were installed in due form. The second and fourth Tuesdays of each month were selected for Stated Meetings, which were held in the Woodward Masonic Temple at 1949 East 105th Street.
At the request of several brethren, Wor. Bro. William H. Krippendorf of Halcyon Lodge No. 498 called a meeting on March 15, 1919, at the West Side Masonic Temple for the purpose of organizing a new Lodge. This meeting was called because Halcyon Lodge and Bigelow Lodge No. 243 had memberships of over 1,000 and were receiving more petitions than they could handle. Twenty-eight brethren were present at this meeting and agreed to assist in forming a new lodge to be called Roosevelt Lodge. The name was chosen in honor of our late President and Brother Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States, who had recently died on January 6, 1919, at the age of 61. The first meeting under dispensation was held on June 25, 1919. Wor. Bro. Krippendorf acting as Worshipful Master appointed the following officers: William H. Rapprich, Senior Warden; Hugh A, McFadden, Junior Warden; Emil C. Heil, Treasurer; Ray B. McHenry, Secretary; George B. Williams, Senior Deacon; Leon E. Jackson, Junior Deacon; and Lou G. McFadden, Tyler. The brethren then heard twelve petitions read at their first meeting. While under dispensation, Roosevelt Lodge initiated 32 Entered Apprentices, passed 28 Fellowcrafts, and raised 20 Master Masons. George Bunyan, initiated on July 12, 1919, was raised as Roosevelt Lodge's first Master Mason on August 19, 1919. At the Grand Lodge Communication held on October 16, 1919, Roosevelt Lodge received their charter. On October 25, 1919 the Grand Lodge convened in Cleveland, Ohio for the purpose of constituting Roosevelt Lodge No. 650. The meeting was presided over by Most Worshipful Brother Matthew Smith, Grand Master of Masons in Ohio. He was assisted by Right Worshipful Brother James B. Ruh, Grand Marshal, and various members of the Past Masters Association.
In December of 1919, Brothers Will H. Knox and David A. Carnall began to discuss the idea of forming a new lodge within the vicinity of O. N. Steele Lodge No. 621. After presenting the idea and receiving a favorable response from the brethren and Past Masters of 0. N. Steele Lodge, Brothers Knox and Carnall began to procure names for the preliminary petition. By May 10, 1920, when the first preliminary meeting was held, twenty-nine names of Master Masons in good standing had been secured. At this meeting, Brother David A. Carnall was unanimously elected Worshipful Master. He then appointed Brother Will H. Knox as Secretary pro-tern. After considerable discussion and numerous ballots, the name Lake Erie was chosen. On June 22, 1920, the Grand Lodge granted dispensation to Lake Erie Lodge. At a meeting held on June 23, 1920, Worshipful Brother Carnall read the dispensation. He then appointed the following brethren as officers: Jay H. Siegenthayer, Senior Warden; Richard C. Slater, Junior Warden; Jospeh H. Lyons, Treasurer; Ralph A. Dorner, Secretary; Will H. Knox, Senior Deacon; Milo J. Keller, Junior Deacon; Frank Schumacher, Chaplain; Albert H. Sommer, Senior Steward; John W. Rhu, Junior Steward; and Clement T. Larissy, Marshal. A Lodge of Master Masons was duly opened and the proposed by-laws were then presented and adopted. At the Grand Lodge Communication held on October 21,1920, Lake Erie Lodge received their charter. Grand Lodge convened in Cleveland, Ohio constituting Lake Erie Lodge No. 662.
In 1985, Iris Lodge met with Brenton D. Babcock Lodge No. 600 regarding the consolidation of the two lodges. After unanimous approval by both Lodges and the Grand Lodge of Ohio, Brenton D. Babcock - Iris No. 600 was created. The first meeting of that lodge was held on December 13, 1985 at 3615 Euclid Ave., in Cleveland. Donald Schmitt was installed as Worshipful Master.
In the early part of 1990, Roosevelt Lodge No. 650 approached Lake Erie Lodge about a consolidation between the two lodges. After a number of meetings between the two Lodges, and after approval by both Lodges and the Grand Lodge of Ohio, Lake Erie-Roosevelt Lodge No. 662 was created on July 31, 1990.
In the early part of 2001, members of Babcock-Iris Lodge No. 600 and Lake Erie-Roosevelt Lodge No. 662 began to tally to one another about the possibility of a consolidation between the two lodges. After preliminary discussions were held, each lodge appointed a committee to prepare an agreement in accordance with the code of the Grand Lodge. After a number of meetings between the two committees, an agreement was reached on March 23, 2001 which would allow the consolidation to occur. The agreed plan was to form a new Lodge with a new number, pursuant to Grand Lodge Code Section 17.03. It was agreed that the new lodge would be called Cleveland Lodge and would meet on the first and third Wednesdays at the Cleveland Masonic and Performance Arts Center, 3615 Euclid Avenue. By September of 2001, both lodges had approved the agreement. With the consent of both lodges, the agreement was forwarded to the Grand Lodge. On October 31, 2001, both lodges were informed that the agreement had been approved by the Grand Master and Cleveland Lodge No. 781 was created. On November 21, 2001, the first annual meeting of Cleveland Lodge was conducted by our District Deputy Grand Master, Wor. Bro. Jerry J. Brove. The first Officers of Cleveland Lodge were elected and installed on that evening. On May 18, 2002 at the 22nd District Grand Master's Reception, Cleveland Lodge No. 781 was officially presented its charter by the Grand Master. Thus marked the end of the individual histories of these four lodges. For now they have become one and as such they should continue to “... let not the trowel be idle that through the years has cemented us firmly together but, let it be placed in active hands, continually building on the foundation so strongly laid. Also let us reflect on the past as encouragement to better understand who we are and what we are, so that Freemasonry shall continue in our lodge, a noble fraternity.”
In 2018, the members of Cleveland Lodge discussed moving the Lodge from the Downtown Cleveland Masonic Temple due to the upcoming sale of the building. After much discussion, the members met with the Brookside Temple Company in Brooklyn, OH and began the new lease at the Brookside Masonic Temple.
Our lodge continues to thrive at the Brookside Masonic Temple. As we reach out to more men in our area about our amazing fraternity, we continue to strive to make ourselves better and those around us.