Brief History of the Lodge
On April 22, 1908, Frank T. Sutton, Worshipful Master, Thomas E. Stratton, Senior Warden, and Lemuel P. Michaels, Junior Warden, followed the 19th century advice of Horace Greeley and formed Westhampton Lodge very far west of Richmond, Virginia. This formation was completed with the assistance of Rt. Wor. F.M. Reade from Richmond Lodge No. 10, Wor. F.T. Sutton of Midlothian Lodge No. 211 and Rt. Wor. H.L. Hulce, District Deputy Grand Master of the 15th Masonic District. Meetings were held at Ridge Church, Virginia on the Monday on or before the full moon from April to October and on the Saturday on or before the full moon November to March.
Westhampton Lodge No. 302 was chartered on February 11, 1909 by Most Worshipful Joseph W. Eggleston with the following brethren serving as officers: Thomas E. Stratton, Worshipful Master; Lemuel P. Michaels, Senior Warden; Samuel P. Waddill, Junior Warden; and W.R. Ferson, Secretary. There were twenty-two charter members including officers. The original lodge building was constructed by the charter members and reflected the architecture of Midlothian Lodge No. 211.
Some milestones over the years:
1915: Meetings changed to the fourth Monday each month at 7:00 p.m.
1922: Tuckahoe Lodge No. 347 was formed by several members of Westhampton Lodge No. 302
1937: Brother Arthur O. Smith elected Treasurer of lodge and served until 1974.
1940: Westhampton has first District Deputy Grand Master with appointment of Worshipful R.J. Cooper
1947: John P. Stokes served as Worshipful Master. Bylaws changed for meetings to be first Monday of each month except for September, then first Tuesday. First visit by a Grand Master of Mason in Virginia to Westhampton Lodge.
1954: Worshipful John P. Stokes appointed District Deputy Grand Master for the 15th Masonic District.
1955: First cornerstone laid by Westhampton Lodge at the Tuckahoe Volunteer Rescue Squad by Worshipful George A. Page
1958: Right Worshipful John P. Stokes elected and installed as Grand Junior Deacon.
1961: Cornerstone of River Road Methodist Church laid by Right Worshipful John P. Stokes
1963: John P. Stokes installed as Grand Master of Masons in Virginia
1965: Lodge name changed to Westhampton-L.P. Michaels Lodge No. 302.
1969: Cornerstone of St. Andrews Methodist Church laid with Most Worshipful Julian C. Roden presiding as Worshipful Master for the Lodge
1971: Original Lodge building sold. Lodge purchased a church and six acres at its present site at 9290 Three Chopt Road under leadership of Worshipful Arthur O. Houston.
1973: Most Wor. John P. Stokes appointed Grand Secretary of Grand Lodge of Virginia.
1975: Worshipful R. Lewis Gibbs appointed to the Committee on Work, on which he still serves.
1982: Fire destroyed Lodge building.
1983: Lodge name changed back to original name of Westhampton Lodge No. 302
1984: New Lodge building dedicated and occupied.
1997: Mt. Worshipful Alan W. Adkins elected Secretary of Lodge upon death of Mt. Wor. John P. Stokes
2002: Fitzgerald Lodge No. 299 votes to consolidate with Westhampton Lodge No. 302 effective January 1, 2003.
2007: Lodge of Strict Observance No. 207 consolidates with Westhampton Lodge No. 302 effective November 1, 2007.
2022: Fraternal Lodge No. 53 Consolidates with Westhampton Lodge No. 302