Saturday, June 12, marks the 150th year of existence for Adonai Lodge No. 718 of Free and Accepted Masons, one of Highland’s most historic and venerable organizations. In light of this momentous occasion, the Brothers of Adonai cordially and fraternally invite the public to attend its Annual Public Installation of Officers and Rededication Ceremonies to be held at the Elting House, located at 48 Main Street in Highland.

The homestead was built in 1817 by Philip Elting, who in 1832 used part of his farm to found the Village of Highland, then known as New Paltz Landing. The farm was originally granted to Abraham Elting, who devised it to his son Noah in 1797, who devised it to his son Philip.

Noah Elting operated one of the original ferries between Highland and Poughkeepsie and acquired significant land holdings in Ulster County. By the 1780’s, he owned 1/17th of the original New Paltz land grant. Philip Elting died in 1839, leaving the homestead to his son, Charles W. Elting who was town supervisor in 1880 and 1881. He was also school board president in 1905.

In 1947, the homestead of our late Bro. Philip Elting was bequeathed to the Lodge by his sister, Mary Elting Maynard Williams, together with funds to provide a temporary lodge room. After making the necessary alterations, the lodge occupied its new home, but it was apparent that the size of the room was inadequate for the successful conduct of lodge activities and that a larger room was a necessity.

During the next four years, the plans for an addition were formulated and in the Spring of 1951 were accepted. At the first Fall meeting of the same year, divine guidance was invoked, and construction launched. Work progressed satisfactorily throughout the Winter and by June 1, 1952, the new lodge room was completed.

Over the last few years, the Brothers of Adonai Lodge #718 have been busy with renovating and updating the lodge room, which had remained generally the same since its completion in 1952. The renovations that were recently completed include a new relief ceiling and updated paint throughout the lodge room. Additionally, while pulling up the old carpet to prepare for the ceiling installation, the Brothers were amazed to find beautiful unfinished hardwood floors beneath. Funds were raised through the generosity of the members to sand, stain, and polyurethane the floors. They look truly amazing!

The home of Adonai Lodge No. 718 proudly displays a fine heritage. The activity of Masonry as an organization in this area outside of Kingston goes back to a Masonic Lodge at Tuttletown, NY. On July 10, 1812, a warrant signed by DeWitt Clinton, Grand Master of Masons of the State of New York, was issued instituting Columbia Lodge No. 207. On June 10, 1858, this lodge was rechartered as Columbia Lodge No. 38 and was moved to Gardiner. It remained there for seven years until 1865 when, upon petition, the same lodge was removed to New Paltz. In 1869 even though it had a membership of 96, Columbia Lodge surrendered its charter.

Then on June 11, 1872, Adonai Lodge, as it is now known, was instituted with seven charter members consisting of its first Master, Silas Saxton together with Brothers J. W. Tompkins, Hoxie Adams, O. P. Carpenter, Everett Hasbrouck, David A. Seymour, and Cyrus Terwilliger. The first installation ceremonies took place in the Deyo building in Highland, a frame building located where the First National Bank stood until 1992.

In 1882 the Lodge moved to the Miller building located where the Russo buildings now stand. When this building burned on March 17, 1891, the meeting place was transferred to the Knights of Pythias rooms until February 29, 1892, when the lodge rooms in the new Wilcox building were dedicated. Meetings were held there for many years until April 7, 1947, when the Lodge moved to its present home.