History of the Rockford
Masonic Lodge No. 246

Just 29 years after the founding of Rockford, a Masonic Lodge was organized. On January 10, 1868, Rockford Lodge No. 246 F. & A. M., was chartered by Grand Master, S. C. Coffinbury, with the following fifteen members: Jas. Dockeray, Oscar House, Ebin Close, John B. Collins, H. N. Stinson, R. D. Stocum, Jacob Snyder, Philip Becker, F. C. Stegman, Robert Squires, G. C. McConnell, P. Fitzpatrick, Wm. Powell, Thos. N. Barker and Wm. Johnson. William Powell was the first Master. During the Masonic Year of 1902 Rockford Lodge was honored by having Past Master Neal McMillan serve as Grand Master of Masons of the State of Michigan. The first meetings were held in a hall above Neal McMillan's Drug Store and Jackson Coon's Shoe Store, located where Patrick's Drug Store and E. M. Hubbard's Chapel now stand. In the fall of 1884 a new hall was built above a grocery store then owned by George Sage. In later years the Redman's hall, above the Sears Dry Goods Store was purchased and these two halls have been the home of the Masonic Lodge ever since. During the 71 years that the Lodge has been in existence, 465 members have signed the Lodge Roll. The present membership of the Lodge is 130 and Erval Simmons is the Worshipful Master.