Update Your Grandview Records!

Gentlemen, PLEASE make sure that your personal information is up to date on the Grand Lodge of Texas website.

Please go to  https://grandlodgeoftexas.org/ and click on Member Portal; or click this link: https://tx.grandview.systems/users/sign_in

Select “My Profile” and update your contact information, and any other information required.  

Next Meeting: Jan. 8, 2022

 

The next meeting of Olive Branch Lodge will be Jan. 8, 2022.

Opening Weekend of Villa de Austin

 

The Villa de Austin exhibit's opening weekend (Saturday and Sunday) will be Nov. 13, 2021. 

Free admission for this weekend only! 

Bring friends and family and enjoy this one-of-a-kind Texas history experience.

VILLA DE AUSTIN FIRE RECOVERY CAMPAIGN

On the night prior to our last stated meeting, Friday, April 9th, 2021, the newly constructed "courthouse” building (pictured above, right), part of the Villa de Austin exhibit at the San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site, was destroyed in a fire. 

The Texas Historical Commission and the Friends of the THC are committed to rebuilding this integral part of the Villa de Austin exhibit over the next few months.  Many of you have reached out to us offering your support in this effort.  

Please join us in rebuilding this exhibit by making a contribution to the Villa de Austin Fire Recovery Campaign. 100% of your contributions will support the rebuilding and refurnishing of the courthouse building. 

One Installed, More to Come

A called meeting of Olive Branch No. 26 was opened at Katy Lodge No. 1439 for the purposes of a joint installation.  Keith Borst was installed as the new SW of Olive Branch Lodge No 26.

Congratulations to our first, and currently only, installed new-officer of Olive Branch No. 26.  

Our regular installation will be held at our stated meeting on July 11.

Olive Branch Lodge has Elected its Officers for 2020-21; Upcoming Installations

Officers-Elect for 2020-21:

• James E. Muller, WM
• Keith G. Borst, SW
• Owen West, JW
• Jerry Jackson, Treasurer
• Chris Dalrymple, Secretary
• Larry Arnold, SD
• Vernon Holguin, JD
• Michael Dupuy, Chaplain
• Andrew Getz, Tiler.
  
  
  Olive Branch No. 26 A. F. & A.M.’s  installation meeting will be at our stated meeting of July 11.  
  
  
  SW-elect Keith Borst will be installed by a courtesy installation at Katy Lodge at 11:10 on Saturday, June 27.  
  
  
  If you are available, your presence will be appreciated.
  
  
  Katy Lodge No. 1439 A.F. & A.M. is located at 
  3158 Katy Hockley Rd., 
  Katy, TX 77493

Grand Master’s COVID Update

Excerpts from the Grand Master’s recent COVID Update:

As we move into a new Masonic year and the installation of new officers with all the accompanying festive celebrations, lodges all over Texas have expressed their desire to on serve meals, both in conjunction with installations and as part of their monthly stated meetings. 

We were informed ... that if Texas lodges were strictly to adhere to the Checklist for Restaurants and Checklist for Restaurant Customers below, lodges may begin preparing and serving meals in our lodges. 

I require that all lodge officers read and become knowledgeable of the guidelines. In addition, I require that the Worshipful Master of each lodge appoint an individual to be responsible for the lodge complying with ALL the items on the Checklists for the safety of everyone in attendance. I ask that all Brothers read both checklists to ensure that every requirement be followed by everyone attending a Texas lodge. 

Special Stated Meeting of June 14, 2020

A Special Stated Meeting of Olive Branch Lodge No. 26 A. F. & A. M. was held at San Felipe, Texas, on Saturday, the 13th day of  June A.D. 2020, A.L. 6020.

The worshipful master, Vernon Holguin pictured at left, opened the special stated meeting at 12:00 PM with eight member brothers and three visiting brothers in attendance.  It was good to see our brethren again and participate in our usual rituals honoring God, country, and Freemasonry.          (cont...)

Special Stated Meeting June 13, 2020

 "Special Stated Meeting"  

to be held for elections at noon, June 13, 2020.

GNZPV8

"Olive Branch Lodge No. 26 is authorized to hold a special stated meeting between May 25, 2020 and June 23, 2020 for the purposes stated in the Grand Master’s proclamation, including the election of officers.” – Grand Secretary on behalf of the Grand Master

In order to conduct lodge elections for 2020-21, and as permitted by the Grand Master, Olive Branch Lodge No. 26 will meet at noon, June 13, 2020, at our usual meeting location, for a "special stated meeting."

There will be no meal and the only business on the agenda will be election of officers and any items of information shared by the brethren.  Installation of officers must necessarily occur after June 23.  

The DDGM will also make an official visit during this meeting.

This meeting is BYOM (bring your own masks).  Come to elect new officers for 2020-21.  Your attendance will be most welcomed.

Chris G, Dalrymple
Secretary, PM
Olive Branch Lodge No. 26, A.F. & A.M.

Freemasonry in Texas, Open for Business (Almost)

On April 29, 2020, the Grand Master of Masons in Texas issued a proclamation permitting "some activities” to resume.  Excerpts from the proclamation include:

• "Commencing May 25, 2020, Lodges may hold stated meetings for the primary purpose of election of Lodge officers for the ensuing year. In addition, Lodges can conduct regular business appropriate to a stated meeting.”

• CLARIFICATION TO OUR LODGE: "Olive Branch Lodge No. 26 is authorized to hold a special stated meeting between May 25, 2020 and June 23, 2020 for the purposes stated in the Grand Master’s proclamation, including the election of officers.” – Grand Secretary on behalf of the Grand Master

WATCH FOR A SPECIAL STATED MEETING IN JUNE.  

MORE INFORMATION TO COME.

• "Lodges may not have called meetings until further proclamation from the Grand Master, other than one Lodge of Sorrow, or a called meeting for the purpose of installing officers.”

• "No meals will be cooked or consumed at stated or called meetings at this time.”

No Masonic Meetings Until Further Notice

Next Meeting: April 13

Our next meeting of Olive Branch Lodge No. 26 will be Saturday, April 13, the second Saturday in April.

We will have food, fellowship, some fun and some business to conduct. We have received new petitions for affiliation, Grand Lodge communications, and this being the last stated meeting prior to June 23, we will have elections of officers.  Fair warning: those who are not present to protect themselves my find themselves elected or appointed to an office.  :-)

Please come out Saturday, before noon, and enjoy the welcoming of Spring with a (hopefully) fine day!

A Baker's Dozen. THANK YOU!

At our stated meeting of Jan. 12, 2019, we had about a half a dozen regular members and a half dozen visitors to make a total of a bakers dozen, 13 members and visitors at our stated meeting!  

The photo provided by Brother Bart Dawson show some of the brethren after the meeting.  Brother Dawson, unfortunately, was behind the camera.  

We thank the brethren and the visitors for making our meeting a successful and enjoyable endeavor!

July 14, 2018 Stated & Open Meetings

Olive Branch Lodge No. 26 A. F. & A. M. will conduct its stated meeting on July 14 in the Sunday School building of the San Felipe Methodist Church in San Felipe, Texas. 

The Lodge will commence its labors with a noon fellowship luncheon followed by its stated business meeting from approximately 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Requested dress is business casual, business attire, or as is becoming tradition for Olive Branch Lodge, Victorian era costumes of the Texas frontier.  

Briscoe Workshop Announcement

Gentlemen,

 

I have been asked by David Williams, Briscoe Workshop Chairman for District 44, to let everyone know that there will be our District 44 Briscoe Workshop to be held at Warren Lodge No. 56 in Caldwell, Texas this Saturday, May 19, 2018.

 

                         9:00 A.M.                           Light refreshments

                        10:00 A.M.                          Workshop

                         Noon                                  Lunch

I went to the last workshop and it was very informative.  I hope to see all of you there.  Travel safe and see you soon.  L

William J. "Butch" Giles, Jr.  PM

DDGM District 44

April 14, 2018 Meeting – DDGM Official Visit

Our next stated meeting will be held Saturday, April 14, 2018 at San Felipe at our usual place.  

Several important events will occur at this meeting.  First, our District Deputy Grand Master, William "Butch" Giles will make his first official visit to our lodge during this meeting.  As is usual, the DDGM will meet with the Master and Secretary one hour prior to our meeting (11 am) to review the books, audit forms, minutes and the like.  At the conclusion of our meeting he will bring the report of MWGM Tommy F. Chapman.

Secondly, this is our last stated meeting before June 23rd, so it is our election meeting.