Occoquan Lodge No. 310, A.F. & A.M.


In the spring of 1909, eleven Master Masons held meetings in their homes with the purpose of founding a Masonic Lodge at Occoquan, Virginia. These Brethren applied for a dispensation to the Grand Lodge of Virginia, which was granted in August of that year. Meetings were held under that dispensation until the charter was granted on February 10, 1910. The first stated communication held after the charter was granted was on February 17, 1910.

Stated communications were held on Wednesday evenings, on or before the full moon of each month, in the old school building in Occoquan, Virginia, until the completion of the Odd Fellows Hall in the fall of 1910. The stated communication was changed to the second Monday night of every month early in the history of the Lodge, but the meeting place remained in Occoquan until December 8, 1952.

To most of the membership, 1952 would be classed as the outstanding year in the history of this Lodge. This is the year that the dream visualized by the Brethren became a reality. A Masonic temple in Occoquan had been the topic of conversation for several years. January 14, 1952, saw the first concrete steps taken in that direction when the Lodge voted to purchase a building site in Woodbridge, Virginia. Four members were appointed as a committee to raise the construction funds.

In April 1952, the then Senior and Junior Wardens and the Treasurer laid out the building and on June 20, 1952, the cornerstone was laid with Worshipful William F. Halley presiding. Many Saturdays and evenings later, the second floor was completed. The Lodge held its first stated communication in the new temple on December 8, 1952.

The Lodge room having been completed, work on the temple came to somewhat of a standstill and the lower hall was not completed until early 1955. After completion of the lower hall, it served as a meeting place for Church and community groups as well as the social hall for the Lodge and other Masonic organizations.