A continuing record · Kearny, New Jersey
More Than a Century of Freemasonry in Kearny
From Copestone Lodge No. 147 to today's Copestone-Ophir Lodge No. 108, the story is held in records, buildings, family memories, and the people who carried it forward.
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RECORDS / MEMORY / RESEARCH
The lodge's history is not a single date. It is a continuing story—with documented landmarks, personal acts of care, and questions still waiting for evidence.
We distinguish documented facts from historical interpretation and unresolved questions. If you can help strengthen the record, we would be grateful to hear from you.
Milestones & open questions
A record still
unfolding.
Dates below reflect the historical research shared with the lodge. The exact charter and consolidation dates remain unconfirmed.
Copestone Lodge No. 147
Documentary evidence establishes Copestone Lodge No. 147 as existing in Kearny before 1900. Its exact original charter date remains to be confirmed.
Documented existence · Charter date unresolvedNamed in county history
A history of Hudson and Bergen Counties identifies Copestone Lodge No. 147 members, including men who had served as Worshipful Master.
Genealogical history, Hudson & Bergen CountiesCopestone Temple is built
New Jersey historic-preservation documentation dates the construction of Copestone Temple to 1916. This documented building date is distinct from the lodge's earlier history.
A place in Kearny life
The Temple formed part of Kearny's commercial and social landscape along Kearny Avenue.
Community contextBrotherly Love & Relief
When Brother Charles “Charlie” Green became ill with tuberculosis, fellow Copestone Masons helped him travel to Saranac Lake, New York, for treatment. They bought his ticket and gave him $100 for the journey. A fellow member later sent $150 for winter clothing. Green arrived June 11, 1922, and eventually recovered.
A documented act of careA federal exemption record
The surviving federal fraternal tax-exemption record dates from June 1941. It is not the founding date of Copestone Lodge or Copestone-Ophir Lodge.
Important distinctionMembers in service
Members of Copestone served in the United States Armed Forces, including Brother William Heberer in the Army Air Corps.
Highland dance at the Temple
Mary Stewart began teaching Scottish Highland dancing at the Kearny Masonic Temple, connecting the building with the area's Scottish-American community.
Robert “Bob” Jones
Jones received the Entered Apprentice degree on April 27, the Fellow Craft degree on May 25, and was raised a Master Mason on June 22.
A gift across the Atlantic
During the 1974–75 Masonic year, Copestone Lodge No. 147 sent a framed Masonic gift to Lodge Kil Bryd No. 1667 in Scotland.
Scottish connectionJones serves as Worshipful Master
Robert Jones later served as Worshipful Master in 1975.
Two lodges, one continuing story
Available evidence indicates a consolidation involving Copestone Lodge No. 147 and Ophir Lodge No. 108. The consolidated lodge ultimately became Copestone-Ophir Lodge No. 108. The date has not been confirmed from Grand Lodge proceedings.
Unresolved question · No date inferredBurns Night documented
A Burns Night gathering is documented as part of the lodge's Scottish heritage.
Honoring veterans
Copestone-Ophir held a ceremony honoring veteran brethren with military-Masonic pins.
Sean H. McNorton
Sean H. McNorton served as Worshipful Master in 2014 and 2015.
In the community
Lodge members participated publicly in the United Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Continuing at 225 Kearny Avenue
Copestone-Ophir Lodge No. 108 remains associated with 225 Kearny Avenue, Kearny, New Jersey 07032. Its members continue the work and care for the historical record.
Kearny Avenue · 1916
The Copestone Temple — Built 1916
New Jersey historic-preservation documentation identifies the building as the Copestone Temple and dates its construction to 1916. Its Neoclassical design is described through its architectural details and Masonic inscriptions.
- Neoclassical architecture
- Double-height Corinthian pilasters
- Classical denticulated cornice
- Festoon ornamentation and pediment
- Square and Compasses
- Historic “COPESTONE TEMPLE” lettering
The uploaded photographs do not include a verified exterior image of the Temple. No building image has been substituted or recreated.
A story of practical care
Help for a brother
on the journey.
When Charles “Charlie” Green fell ill with tuberculosis, his fellow Copestone Masons gathered money to help him reach treatment in Saranac Lake. They purchased his ticket and gave him $100 for his journey. Another member later sent $150 so he could buy winter clothing. Green arrived June 11, 1922, and eventually recovered.
This account offers a concrete example of the principles of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth expressed through members' care for one another.
SARANAC LAKE, NEW YORK · 1922Scottish-American Kearny
Heritage carried
in community.
Scottish immigrants among the lodge's members helped shape connections beyond the lodge room. Beginning in 1953, Mary Stewart taught Highland dancing at the Masonic Temple. The lodge's documented community ties include John “Jock” Nisbet, the Scots American Club, the Kearny Caledonian Pipe Band, Argyle Fish and Chip Shop, and The Pipers Cove.
Burns Night became an important lodge tradition; a gathering is documented in 2011. The relationship reached across the Atlantic as well: during 1974–75, Copestone Lodge No. 147 sent a framed Masonic gift to Lodge Kil Bryd No. 1667 in Scotland.
These connections are presented as historical research supplied to the lodge; individual relationships and dates should be checked against original records as they become available.
In service to country
Remembering
those who served.
The lodge's historical record includes members who served in the United States Armed Forces. Documented examples include RW John A. Driscoll, United States Marine Corps, and Brother William Heberer, United States Army Air Corps, during World War II.
In 2012, Copestone-Ophir honored veteran brethren in a ceremony with military-Masonic pins—a public acknowledgment of service to Country and Craft.
Two Lodges, One Continuing Story
Historical evidence points to a consolidation involving Copestone No. 147 and Ophir No. 108, with the resulting lodge ultimately retaining No. 108. The exact consolidation date has not yet been confirmed in Grand Lodge proceedings. We will not fill that gap with speculation.
Do you know more about our history?Evidence, interpretation & inquiry
Sources & Further Reading
This page draws on historical research and source descriptions supplied to the lodge. Exact publication editions, archival item identifiers, and direct URLs were not included with that research summary; they are being verified before citations are presented as direct links.
- New Jersey Historic Preservation Office — Copestone Temple documentation
- Genealogical History of Hudson and Bergen Counties, New Jersey — 1900 county history
- Grand Lodge of New Jersey / New Jersey Freemason
- Historic Saranac Lake records — Charles “Charlie” Green research
- Kearny and local historical reporting
- ScotDance USA and Scots American Club material
- Lodge Kil Bryd No. 1667 correspondence or records
- Historical obituaries, membership records, and modern Copestone-Ophir Lodge information
Research note: 1916 is the documented Temple construction year, not a lodge founding date. The 1941 record is a tax-exemption record, not a founding date. The Copestone Lodge No. 147 charter date and Copestone/Ophir consolidation date remain unresolved.
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