About Us
Masonry: Making Good Men Better
Ohio Lodge #1 AF & AM was organized in the early part of 1815 by Brothers in good standing in their respective lodges residing in Wheeling, Va.
A petition requesting letters of Dispensation be granted for the formation of a Lodge in Wheeling, Ohio County, Virginia was sent to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Virginia
in January 1815. Shortly before May 5, 1815 the Dispensation was received, bearing the date of April 19, 1815 and Ohio Lodge #101 received its charter on December 13, 1815.
Following the establishment of the Grand Lodge of WV after the recognition of West Virginia as a sovereign state, Ohio Lodge held its last meeting as Number 101 on January 24, 1867 and on February 4, 1867 held its first meeting as Ohio Lodge #1.
A petition requesting letters of Dispensation be granted for the formation of a Lodge in Wheeling, Ohio County, Virginia was sent to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Virginia
in January 1815. Shortly before May 5, 1815 the Dispensation was received, bearing the date of April 19, 1815 and Ohio Lodge #101 received its charter on December 13, 1815.
Following the establishment of the Grand Lodge of WV after the recognition of West Virginia as a sovereign state, Ohio Lodge held its last meeting as Number 101 on January 24, 1867 and on February 4, 1867 held its first meeting as Ohio Lodge #1.
In Case You Were Wondering
AF & AM - Ancient Free and Accepted Masons
AF & AM states include: CO, CT, DE, ID, IL, IA, KS, ME, MD, MA, MN, MO, MT, NE, NM, NC, ND, OK, OR, SD, TX, VA, WV, WY.
F & AM - Free and Accepted Masons
F & AM states include: AL, AK, AR, AZ, CA, FL, GA, HI, IN, KY, LA, MI, MS, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, PA, RI, TN, UT, VT, WA, WI.
AFM - Ancient Free Masons
There is 1 AFM state: SC
AF & AM - Ancient Free and Accepted Masons
AF & AM states include: CO, CT, DE, ID, IL, IA, KS, ME, MD, MA, MN, MO, MT, NE, NM, NC, ND, OK, OR, SD, TX, VA, WV, WY.
F & AM - Free and Accepted Masons
F & AM states include: AL, AK, AR, AZ, CA, FL, GA, HI, IN, KY, LA, MI, MS, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, PA, RI, TN, UT, VT, WA, WI.
AFM - Ancient Free Masons
There is 1 AFM state: SC
Officers for 2013-2014
Left to Right
Jim Wharton - Junior Steward, Erik Marple - Junior Deacon, Roger Haufe - Treasurer,
Brian Stromatos - Junior Warden, Larry Carlisle (Back) - Worshipful Master, Mike Younger - Senior Warden, Ophir Vellenoweth (Back) - Secretary, Bryan Cline - Senior Deacon, Bill Wheat - Senior Steward
Left to Right
Jim Wharton - Junior Steward, Erik Marple - Junior Deacon, Roger Haufe - Treasurer,
Brian Stromatos - Junior Warden, Larry Carlisle (Back) - Worshipful Master, Mike Younger - Senior Warden, Ophir Vellenoweth (Back) - Secretary, Bryan Cline - Senior Deacon, Bill Wheat - Senior Steward
Bob and Bill were brother masons and great friends for most of their lives.
Each had agreed that when one of them passed on to that Grand Lodge above, he would attempt to make contact with the other and tell him all about what heaven was like.
As so happened, Bill went to heaven, first.
One night Bob was just drifting off to sleep when he heard Bill's voice calling to him.
"Is that you, Bill?
"Yes, Bob. I am honoring our agreement."
"Oh, MY,.... what's it like?" Bob asked with some anticipation.
"It's like nothing you could ever imagine. The lodge here is fantastic,... better than any lodge we ever saw on Earth.
The meetings are always well attended, the ritual is letter perfect, the friendship nights always have tons of new people just itching to join, and the spirit of fellowship blankets the entire place."
Bob's eyes teared up.
"Oh, my, it's just like we'd hoped. I'm so happy for you. But I have to ask,... that sounds really great, but you didn't really seem all that excited. What's wrong?"
"Well, I have some good news and some bad. The good news is that we're raising a fellow to the third degree next Wednesday."
"That's fantastic. What's the bad news?"
"Your name is on the list to be the Senior Deacon.
Each had agreed that when one of them passed on to that Grand Lodge above, he would attempt to make contact with the other and tell him all about what heaven was like.
As so happened, Bill went to heaven, first.
One night Bob was just drifting off to sleep when he heard Bill's voice calling to him.
"Is that you, Bill?
"Yes, Bob. I am honoring our agreement."
"Oh, MY,.... what's it like?" Bob asked with some anticipation.
"It's like nothing you could ever imagine. The lodge here is fantastic,... better than any lodge we ever saw on Earth.
The meetings are always well attended, the ritual is letter perfect, the friendship nights always have tons of new people just itching to join, and the spirit of fellowship blankets the entire place."
Bob's eyes teared up.
"Oh, my, it's just like we'd hoped. I'm so happy for you. But I have to ask,... that sounds really great, but you didn't really seem all that excited. What's wrong?"
"Well, I have some good news and some bad. The good news is that we're raising a fellow to the third degree next Wednesday."
"That's fantastic. What's the bad news?"
"Your name is on the list to be the Senior Deacon.
Proud Of Our Past, Building For The Future
Ohio Lodge #1 AF&AM
Officers for 2014-15
Worshipful Master
Brian Stromatos
Senior Warden
Michael Younger
Junior Warden
Brian Cline
Treasurer
Roger Haufe
Secretary
Ophir Vellenoweth
Senior Deacon
Erik Marple
Junior Deacon
Jim Wharton
Steward
Bill Wheat
Tiler
Clarence Cox
Worshipful Master
Brian Stromatos
Senior Warden
Michael Younger
Junior Warden
Brian Cline
Treasurer
Roger Haufe
Secretary
Ophir Vellenoweth
Senior Deacon
Erik Marple
Junior Deacon
Jim Wharton
Steward
Bill Wheat
Tiler
Clarence Cox