Our Story Begins on...

November 11, 1846. We were the 48th lodge to be established in Illinois and the first to be established in Kane County. We are currently the second oldest active lodge in the Chicago land Area. The lodge goes hand in hand with the history of St. Charles as a community for the past 162 years. Many of the Brethren were prominent in St. Charles’ affairs in those early days. The list of past masters is a veritable roll of honor of prominent St. Charles citizens.

One of the first Resolutions that were passed was that the Lodge rent quarters from the Odd Fellows at the rate of $20 per annum. In the early years Unity Lodge was asked to assist in the formation of new lodges in; Naperville 1848, Batavia 1849, Sycamore 1851, Geneva 1853 and Elgin 1852.

The property of the Lodge was acquired slowly and at no great expense through with an eye for comfort. The March 17, 1856 minutes show that a resolution was made “to fix forthwith the kneeling stool at the altar that the Candidates wilt experience no inconvenience in kneeling.” In 1859, the Worshipful Master was instructed to procure Pedestal and Marble for the same. We must assume that the Pedestal and Marble that adorns our Lodge today are the same.

As further evidence of the expansion of sanitation of the Lodge Hall, Brother Hawkins in February 1866 was instructed, “to make 16 spittoons.” By 1872, the Lodge felt itself sufficiently in funds to spend $.60 for a post office box. The furniture which is placed in the three principle officers’ places cost the lodge $130.94. No additional records have been found of any further purchases and so we must assume that this furniture is the same adorning the Lodge today. The purchase was made in 1854.

During the Civil War years, the Lodge was very active. Many times the Lodge was called upon to aid widows and orphans caused by the war. As an example of activity, during the months of March and April of 1864, the Lodge held 24 stated meetings. In 1867, the brothers voted to donate money to Southern Lodges for the relief of brethren. This action, however small it may seem at this distance, undoubtedly helped in repairing the damage to moral, in both North and South, caused by the Civil War.

In the year of 1892, the brothers decided to refurbish the Lodge. At that time it was necessary to issue due bills of $5.00 denominations to members to raise the $100 they felt was needed for the work. This was repaid the following year. In 1894, a motion was passed to grant the use of the Hall to two brothers for the purpose of organizing a “Lodge of the Eastern Star.” This is the first record we find of the Star in St. Charles. In 1895 the Lodge bowed to the pressure of modern time and had electric lights installed in the Lodge rooms. The following month we find that the price of this modernization was an electric bill of $1.25 per month.

In 1898, we find further evidence of modernization in that the brothers no heated the Lodge rooms with coal instead of wood. Cost of this was $1.79 “per load.” Next year they finally bought their first carpet sweeper for $5.98 after many years of discussion.
As we moved into the 20th century, the Lodge continued to have a traditional Saint John’s Day observance along with another day honoring the Past Masters of Unity Lodge. It was also noted that the Lodge met and attended church in a body on each of these occasions.

Things we tough during the Depression. It was noted on December 31, 1931 that charity was put into practice, as these were hard times. By August 1935 things start to look up and the Lodge received air conditioning.

In the year of 1942, the United States was deep in World War II. Unity Lodge certainly did its part to assist in every way, to help the servicemen and stayed in communication with our brethren in the service. From notes recorded, the brethren were happy to have this communication. On March 29, 1947, the Lodge held its 100th Anniversary Celebration.

At the celebration, representation was from 128 different Masonic Lodges. About 500 Masonic Brethren gathered for the occasion. The Most Worshipful Grand Master’s talk was on the importance of Brotherly love and relief, and how the lodges were limited to fifty members in the early days of Masonry. In the records we find that Unity Lodge gave assistance tot eh starting of the DeMolay youth organization.

In both 1960 and 1970, the Lodge was redecorated by the Brethren of Unity Lodge. As always, a real professional job was done. Generous Brethren of Unity Lodge donated much of the material. At this time, a new water cooler was procured and new carpeting was put down. Unity left the Arcada Building in 1985 and rented from Batavia Lodge #404, until we moved to Geneva #139 in 1995. We are currently renting from Geneva #139.

As of 2022 Junction Lodge is 176 years old and looks to continue the standards that they have displayed for another 176 years.