 History of Eastgate Lodge as told by WB Ken Frack.
In case you have not seen them, there is an extensive 2 or 3 volume
history of East Gate Lodge up until the late 70s in our display case.
When I joined East Gate Lodge in 1969 there were meeting in the Temple on Glisan:
East Gate Lodge
East Gate Eastern Star
Kellogg Eastern Star
East Gate Demolay
Bethel #9
White Shrine of Jerusalem
Angelus Court of Amaranth
In addition we rented out the basement to a model train society,
the name of which escape me. Perhaps Dic VanGorder can help with that.
In 1972 Kellogg Rainbow assembly was formed and started meeting in the Temple
My memory is foggy on dates and events.
Oregon Lodge # 101 started meeting in the Temple (have to research old minutes for date)
Roosevelt Lodge and East Gate Lodge merged. (have to research old minutes for date) I think Dic has that information.
Demolay folded in the early 70s.
In the 80s we started losing renters due to poor accessibility to
the building and no parking. White Shrine moved to Friendship Temple.
The two star chapters merged with other chapters and moved out.
Check with Coral Owens on the fate of Bethel 9.
Finally with loss of renters and difficulty maintaining the
building, we sold it and moved to Parkrose, bringing Kellogg Rainbow
with us.
In the 70s we had annual "all bodies" breakfasts and dinners as
fund raisers with great cooperation among the masonic family. One
breakfast in my year as master we served about 900. It was
overwhelming. My family was at the temple until late afternoon
washing dishes afterwards. This was before we bought a commercial
dishwasher.
In the early 70s, when there was still a West Gate Lodge in
Portland, we had an annual 3 gates meeting. East Gate, West Gate and
South Gate.
One thing of the old traditions I miss is the refreshment table.
When we started having dinners before meetings, we eliminated the
refreshment table. I think the fellowship at the refreshment table
is what kept me in the lodge. This is also where we made informal
plans, such as making up degree teams, reviewing the calendar of events
and other functions that did not require actions in the meeting. A lot
of "Good of the Order" stuff was done at the refreshment table making
for shorter meetings. This was also where new candidates were made
to feel welcome and a part of the lodge.
We had a special degree at that time at the refreshment table.
Newly raised Master Masons were presented with an engraved coffee
pitcher. It was then his duty to assist the stewards in serving
coffee. He kept this job until the next Master Mason was raised. Each
new Master Mason had his name engraved on the pitcher. His job
usually did not last long as we had lots of degrees then. I have no
idea as to the whereabouts of the pitcher.
Up until about 1974 or 5, we met every Thursday. We usually had
enough degrees going to keep us busy, but if not we would practice.
It would be difficult now to have a refreshment table. We usually
do not have enough officers to have active stewards and the ladies that
stay are eager to go home after the lodge meeting.
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History of Eastgate Lodge #155 AF&AM. 
Invitation to all Eastgate or Roosevelt Members to share your version of Lodge History.