ABOUT US

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History

Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research No. 281 is a regularly constituted masonic Lodge chartered in 1936 by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington. Its members are interested primarily in masonic research and education, the results of which are published in pamphlet form or in Transactions..

Vision

An enthusiastic and successful lodge platform focusing on Masonic papers and research .  Essentially, to help make a better world by making better Masons.

Mission

To serve masonry through research, education, and publications

About Walter Frederick Meier

Walter Frederick Meier, the sixty-fourth Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington, was born on a farm near Lincoln, Nebraska, on September 12, 1879. While in his “teens” he was initiated in the mysteries of farming, which increased his ability and enthusiasm in his pursuit of a liberal education – the basis of his successful social, fraternal and professional career. Inheriting, through a long and distinguished ancestry, a robust constitution and energetic ambition, Brother Meier utilized every opportunity in preparing himself for the journey of life.

In 1903, immediately after his graduation from the University of Nebraska, he moved to the Evergreen State, where, after two years of service as an instructor in the high schools of South Bend and Spokane, he became actively and successfully engaged in the practice of law in Spokane until the fall of 1909, when relocated to Seattle. He would enter the semi-political arena in 1915 serving King County and the State as Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. From 1916 – 1918, he would serve as First Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Seattle; following which he was twice elected as Corporation Counsel for the City of Seattle without opposition. In 1926, he was elected a member of the Freeholders’ Committee to revise the city charter and served as its chairman.

Our distinguished Past Grand Master, initiated in University Lodge No. 141 on February 5, 1912; serving as Master of that Lodge in 1916. He was appointed Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Canada for the Province of Ontario near our Grand Lodge in 1921; was Junior Grand Warden of our Most Worshipful Grand Lodge in 1923; and was elected its Grand Master on June 15, 1926. He served as a member of the Jurisprudence Committee in 1927, 1928, 1937 and 1938; and on the Committee on Grievance and Appeals in 1928, 1931, then as its chairman from 1929 through 1934. He was chairman of the Committee on Masonic Research and Education in 1935, when he was appointed and served as Grand Foreign Correspondent until appointed our Grand Historian in 1938, in which capacity he served until his demise on July 19, 1940.

Our Most Worshipful Brother also served as Excellent High Priest of University Chapter, 32, Royal Arch Masons in 1929; Illustrious Master of Adoniram Council, No. 17, Royal and Select Masters in 1925; Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Washington, Royal and Select Masters, in 1935; and was elected an Honorary Past Grand Master of the Grand Council of Oregon and also General Grand Captain of the Guard of the General Grand Council in 1939. He was a member of University Prophets of the Enchanted Realm, Angora Grotto in 1928; Illustrious Potentate of Nile Temple, Ancient Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of North America in 1925. He was Wise Master of Washington Chapter Rose Croix and Commander in Chief of Washington (formerly Lawson) Consistory both at Seattle, and was coroneted 33° in 1925 at special session at Portland, Oregon, of the Supreme Council of Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States. He was a member of University Chapter, No. 83, Seattle, Order of the Eastern Star; and was Worthy Grand Patron in 1922. In 1928 he was Grand Royal Patron, Order of Amaranth. In 1931 he was elected to receive and received DeMolay Cross of Honor.

Most Worshipful Brother Meier was a prolific writer. A partial record of his authorship on Masonic subjects includes 52 approved weekly articles on Symbolic Masonry; in another year 52 similar treatises on Capitular Masonry; and still for a third year, 52 similar writings about Cryptic Masonry, all in the Masonic Tribune; 60 by-line article in each monthly issue of New Age Magazine, the publication of the Supreme Council of Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States.

Work, work, always thorough, relentless work was his preference, driving his readers to important truths and profound thoughts. There was no trifling, no platitude, no coaxing of interest or currying of favor in his authorship; nothing of the superficial and never descent from his normal high plane of contemplation on any subject. For the large volume of Masonic work, including addresses, and published articles. Brother Meier easily holds the championship. His capacity for the accomplishment of manifold activities has proved the wonder and admiration of all his Brethren.

During his final illness he dictated under the heading “Personal Notes on the Life of Walter F. Meier,” discussion of his own life. He concluded the fifty-five typed pages of context, which he dated June 14, 1940, with this terse statement:

“These notes have been made during a period of illness of a serious character, and are sketchy in many respects. However, they reflect, to a degree at least, something of my activities in life—a life that has been rich in experience. I have led an active life, and I have endeavored to make it as useful as possible. I have, perhaps, neglected the play side of life more than I ought. I might have been able to maintain my health longer had I given more time to recreation, but I have been happy in being busy, and active at all times, and I can’t say I regret that phase of my life. The thing that I regret most is that I have been unable to do more.”

From his first attendance at this Most Worshipful Grand Lodge in Tacoma on June 13, 1916, until the close of its annual communication in 1939, no one ever doubted that Most Worshipful Brother Walter Frederick Meier brought and applied that virile, dependable worth that always characterizes a truly great man, unafraid of whatever path he may tread. At the 1940 Annual Communication the Craft no doubt missed the radiant, dynamic personality they had grown to count upon as a positive force for guidance in Masonic deliberations. Probably the most enduring memory of the 1940 Annual Communication was the presentation of Most Worshipful Brother Meier’s Grand Historian report delivered by his son, Ronald W. Meier – who, himself, would follow in his father’s footsteps some 15 years later.

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