The Masonic Lodges of Texas County (Licking, Houston, Summersville, and Plato) will hold a cornerstone ceremony at the Texas County Memorial Hospital expansion site at 11 a.m., Thursday, May 16.
The cornerstone is situated on the northeast corner of the expansion. The public is invited.
What is a cornerstone?
Information in a pamphlet provided by the Masonic Information Center says, “Until the development of steel-frame construction in the 20th century, most buildings were erected by stacking stone on stone. Each part of the building was marked by ceremonies. The foundation stone was the first stone placed underground at the beginning of the building’s foundation. The cornerstone was the first stone placed above ground level – it is a massive stone, marking the northeast corner of the building. At the top of the building was the capstone.”
Why do Freemasons place cornerstones? Freemasonry is the oldest and largest fraternity in the world, with traditions dating back hundreds of years. The country’s forefathers laid the first cornerstones in North America, and Freemasons continue their tradition by conducting cornerstone ceremonies on public buildings dedicated to religion, education, government and philanthropy.
For more information about Freemasonry, call Bennie Cook at 417-260-2382, e-mail texaslodge177afam@gmail.com, or log onto www.mofreemason.com/texaslodge177