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History of Bestor G.
Brown Lodge
No. 433 A.F. & A.M.
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Bestor G. Brown, or "Bestor" as he was
known by his many
close friends, was one of the most active and outstanding figures
in Masonic circles in Kansas, for a period of about fifteen years
from 1888 to 1903. He belonged to practically every branch of
the order, was actively interested in each of them, and "went
through the chairs" or held every office in all of the bodies to
which he belonged. This career of activity was crowned in 1903
when he was elected Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Most
Worshipful Grand Lodge of Kansas. He was particularly
interested in ritualistic work, and in the improvement of degree
work. In this connection he created and developed the application
of modern scenic properties to the dramatic production of all
Masonic Degrees and achieved a national reputation among
scenic artists and the builders of appliances for the stage craft. He
was called the only Masonic stage manager in the world.
The effects of his work are still with us
and the hand of time
cannot efface his efforts as long as the institution endures. He
was withal one of the most noble, active, and brilliant characters
that ever graced the Masonic institution, and as an inspiration for
posterity no more fitting name could be given a lodge than that of
Bestor G. Brown.
Meetings were held in the Brosius Building
until June 1931, at
which time the lodge moved to the Wichita Masonic Lodge No.
99 Building at First and Main Streets, on the southwest comer of
the intersection. The lodge remained at the Wichita No.99
Building until 1943 at which time another move was made to the
Sunflower Lodge No. 86 at 320 South Broadway. The first
meeting at this new location was held on January 6, 1943.
We have had the exceptional good foresight
and fortune to have
selected men from among our members as officers and
eventually Masters who felt their Masonry very keenly, not only
as to the stewardship and welfare of Bestor G. Brown Lodge, but
also in their everyday lives as they practiced the teachings and set
the examples to be followed as gleaned from the lessons in
righteous living and thinking set out in the portrayal of the
degrees and the splendid lectures accompanying them.
To them we must feel ever grateful for the
services they
have rendered in the success of our lodge
When the lodge was organized. Initiation
Fees were
established at $55.00. They remained at this amount until
1955 when they were raised to $75.00.
Annual dues were originally established at
$6.00. The
following changes have been made since then:
1933 $5.00 1934 $5.50 1953 $7.50 1956 $8.00 1958 $9.00 1963 $10.00
It has been a custom to remit the dues of
Past Masters.
From the beginning of the Lodge, Past Masters' dues have
been remitted except during the five year period from 1953
to 1957. The reason Past Masters paid dues during this five
year period was because the building was mortgaged. After
the mortgage was removed, the practice of remitting Past
Master's dues was again continued.
Bestor G. Brown enjoyed a steady growth in
membership
the first ten years of its existence, and the total membership
stood at four hundred and eight as of December 31, 1932,
an increase of two hundred and ninety-five members over
the one hundred and thirteen who belonged when the lodge
was chartered March 1,1923.
The next ten years our membership felt the
effects of the
stringency of the times, and at the end of 1939 had lost
forty-seven members, leaving a total of three hundred and
sixty-one on our rolls.