Masonic Lodge's survival in jeopardy

The average age of members at the Masonic lodges in Libby and Troy is about 68.

It’s something that concerns Bruce Carrier, especially now that fewer members attending meetings could mean the end of a longtime tradition of the Masons in Lincoln County.

“It’s the members that are going to keep it going,” said Carrier, who has belonged to Libby Masonic Lodge No. 85 for 37 years.

Bylaws state that to hold a charter, a minimum of seven members must attend a lodge meeting once every 90 days.

It looked doubtful that seven would be available for the Thursday, July 10, meeting, said Chuck Racicot, secretary-treasurer for the Libby lodge.

With the Masons, family comes first; work comes second; and the lodge is third.

“They take that quite literally,” said Racicot said. “If the wife wants to go to Costco, a guy can say ‘I can’t make the meeting tonight.’”

Unless things improve, the Libby lodge could be forced to surrender its charter or join the lodge in Eureka. The lodge property at 1218 Utah in Libby would be sold. The same could happen in Troy, where a similar story is shared about the lack of attendance at meetings.

An attempt last year to merge the Libby and Troy lodges failed.

“It’s always been a bone of contention,” said Carrier, who is the master for lodges in Libby and Troy. “I understand some of it. There was a vote taken in Troy and (they said) ‘no way’ and gave no reason. When the brothers vote on something, they don’t have to give a reason.”

Any man can join the Masons as long as he is not a convicted felon and believes in a supreme being.

“He has to have faith in a supreme being — a God,” Racicot said. “You can be a Muslim, a Jew, a Catholic, a Baptist or a Methodist — anything as long as he possesses a faith in a supreme being.”

Libby Lodge No. 85 has been around since 1912. Only half of its 54 members remain in Libby. Of those, about 10 are active members.

“Our biggest problem now is, that according to our bylaws, you’re supposed to hold a meeting every 90 days,” he said. “You have to have a quorum.”

In Libby, the lodge has given thousands of dollars in scholarships and donations to many worthy causes, Racicot said. The lodge recently started Bikes for Books at Libby’s elementary and middle schools. Children were awarded bikes for reading books.

Masons are not allowed to solicit members. To become a Mason, one should ask a member for a petition or stop by the lodge at 1218 Utah.

“Basically, it takes a good man and makes him better,” Carrier said. “Through the degree work, through the fellowship, and if you want to be an asset to the community. The moral beliefs and everything else are pretty strong.”

If interesting in joining, call Racicot at 291-2605.