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Worshipful Master:
Maximo A. Mora PM
Senior Warden:
James Felker PM
Junior Warden:
Joe Campbell
see all . . .
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 History of Willow Glen Fraternity Lodge #399
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Back in 1927 when the railroads sought a new right-of-way through San Jose, its representatives focused upon the unincorporated part of the city known as "The Willows" or "Willow Glen." However, the residents of that area did not relish the idea of a railroad running through one of the most beautiful parts of the city. On September 8, 1927 they incorporated as the city of Willow Glen for the specific purpose of keeping the railroad out.
Meanwhile, other things besides a city government had come into existence. One of them was a Masonic Lodge. On October 1, 1928, 38 Master Masons met in the Willow Glen School to consider organizing a club to be known as the Willow Glen Masonic Club. At the suggestion of Edwin E. Hunter, this club was first organized only temporarily, then permanently with John W. Davis as President, and James S. Sullivan as Secretary.
The Willow Glen Masonic Club had an elaborate set of bylaws, a $5.00 membership fee and charged dues of 75 cents a month. After only one year, the Masonic Club voted to disband for the purpose of organizing a true Masonic Lodge. Its last minutes written October 3, 1929 show:
At a called meeting of the club on the date above written it was voted that all monies should be turned over to the Blue Lodge now in active Formation in Willow Glen.
With that, the story of organized Masonry in Willow Glen shifts from the Willow Glen Masonic Club to Willow Glen Lodge.
The Lodge received its dispensation, bearing 24 names, from Grand Master Wollenberg, November 15, 1929. On the evening of December 4th, it was instituted with Thornton Delos Webster as first Master; Lawrence L. Gott, Senior Warden' and Harry Burris, Junior Warden. John W. Davis, the first and only President of the Willow Glen Masonic Club, became the first Secretary of the Lodge and served in that capacity until 1967.
On October 16, 1930, Willow Glen Lodge received its charter. It was constituted on the evening of the 18th by Grand Master John S. Ross, assisted by Past Grand Master Wollenberg and other offices of the Grand Lodge.
Willow Glen Lodge has had only three meeting places since that date. The first two being the Willow Glen Municipal Auditorium and the second being Brown's Hall on Lincoln Avenue.
In its first return to Grand Lodge in 1930 Willow Glen Lodge reported 51 members. Today we have 202.
Noel T. Dietz, P.M.
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