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What's in a name?
Bro. Geter Crosby Shidle (Center, bearded) was a prominent Pittsburgh Mason, serving as Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Pennsylvania, President of the Masonic Veterans of Pennsylvania, Trustee of the Masonic Fund Society, Charter Member of the Masonic Deposit Savings Bank of Pittsburgh, and President of the Masonic Bank of Pittsburgh.
Bro. Shidle's necessary avocations included his eponymous wallpaper business, Directorship of the Dollar Savings Bank and Union Insurance Company, the Common Council of Pittsburgh, and the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
This portrait was taken by the Jamison Photographic Studio, which had offices in Jeannette and Irwin. Their Irwin office was in the front of our building, 415 Main Street, starting sometime in the 1910s. Brother Shidle died on June 11, 1889 A.D.
A new lodge is formed
On August 15, 1893, a number of Master Masons from surrounding lodges petitioned the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania to charter a new lodge in Irwin, PA. Their petition was granted by the Right Worshipful Grand Master Michael Arnold on November 20, 1893. On November 29, 1893, Shidle Lodge No. 601 was chartered by then District Deputy Grand Master, Irvin McFarland.
A meeting was held on December 2, 1893 where approximately 175 Brethren were present for the reading of the charter and installation of the first Worshipful Master, Bro. John L. Ridinger, pictured right, and other officers.
Looking forward to the future
From 1893 until 1963, Shidle Lodge was located in the Caruthers Building, 227 Main St, Irwin, PA. The defunct Aladdin Theater, located at 411-417 Main St in Irwin was purchased in March 1962 with a trust established by attorney Scott Fink for his sons. Approximately $175,000 was invested in the purchase and remodel of the theater, first opened in 1924 by W.G. Maute and closed in 1941. Pictured left is the building after opening in 1963.
Described as "most modern in the area" for the time, Shidle Lodge occupies quarters on the intermediate and second floors that includes a 21x40 lounge, 48x52 room with kitchen facilities, available for rent from the Hall Association, and a lodge room on the second floor totaling 48x76 feet. At the time of the opening, several store fronts occupied the additional space, including a Barber Shop, Gallagher Music Store and Carl Schade insurance, among others.
Today, our Lodge continues to find ways to modernize in an ever-changing world, with the addition of AV equipment available for meetings and flat screen TVs for socializing and streaming. One thing that has not changed in all of these years is the fraternity that unites us as Free & Accepted Masons.