The Masonic Club
Many Master Masons had moved to Thousand Oaks and found it difficult to attend their own lodge meetings in the Los Angeles area or the San Fernando Valley.
In early 1960, by word of mouth, the interest to form a Masonic Club rapidly became known to most of the Masons living in the area. Many of these dedicated brothers became almost obsessed with the thought of a new Lodge in the yet unincorporated Thousand Oaks and met with the expressed purpose of forming a Masonic Club.
Permission was granted to form the club from Worshipful Lewis A. Pugh, Inspector of the 510th Masonic District, which had jurisdiction over Thousand Oaks. The Conejo Valley Masonic Club was subsequently formed in early 1961.
This was a very busy time as much had to be accomplished before a charter could be requested of Grand Lodge. About this same time, Simi Valley was also forming a Masonic Club and a friendly rivalry developed as to which club would be the first to receive a charter.
According to Worshipful T. Bruce Baker, Past Master, Brother Harold Retan was the person most instrumental in getting the necessary information from Grand Lodge on the requirements of requesting a charter. Brother Retan served as Master in 1963.
Again, according to Worshipful Baker, two of the most hard working brothers in the club were Stan Pine and Ray Strite. Credit was also given to Worshipful Lewis Pugh, Inspector, for his support and knowledge and to Brother Frank Roberts for his ritual proficiency as the ritual coach.
Worshipful Baker acknowledged that in order to speed things up the club did many things on it’s own when Grand Lodge should have been involved or given approval.
During this time, the lodge furnishings were obtained either by purchasing them or making them. The altar and the master and wardens podiums were hand made by Brother Ray Strite.
The original working tools were made by hand by a brother from Oxnard.
The pillars were purchased by Brother Cecil Brann.
The original jewels were purchased by Worshipful Baker. The marble tops of the podiums were donated by a friend of Worshipful Baker, the person who had sponsored him to become a citizen.
Applications for Affiliation as well as Applications for Degrees were received and held and finally the club was ready to petition the Grand Lodge for a Dispensation to form a Masonic Lodge.
This Dispensation was granted on April 25. 1961.
The first meeting of Conejo Valley Lodge U.D. (under dispensation) was held on May 16, 1961 with Deputy Grand Master Guy Mize presiding. Worshipful Mize was escorted to the East by Brother Frank T. Roberts, the Worshipful Master designate. Worshipful Mize then proceed with the Ceremony of Institution.
Immediately afterward the following brethren were installed as the first corps of officers.
