History
Doric’s Story began with a group of Masons residing in the West Side of Grand Rapids in 1876. Being desirous of having a West Side lodge and one committed to excellence in Masonic ceremonies, they petitioned the Grand Lodge of Michigan for dispensation to meet as a lodge. Our first meeting was held on August 31, 1876 at the Hall over 37 West Bridge Street in the Covell Block (Read more about our various homes).
The First Worshipful Master, or President, of Doric Lodge was William K. Wheeler. He was an early Grand Rapids Mason who devoted one evening of each week to a ’school of instruction’ at the lodge’s rooms. In the early days of Masonry, there was little written down, so our are various ceremonies and traditions were passed the old way i.e. from mouth to ear. Wheeler took such a parental interest in the members of the lodge that he was bestowed the title of “Father Wheeler.” During the years of his life it was customary to have him preside over lodge on the Thursday evening closest to his birthday. Not surprisingly, this night became known as “Father Wheeler’s Night.” We still commemorate his early efforts by celebrating Father Wheeler’s Night with degree work or a banquet and party.
Doric Lodge has thrived through the years weathering everything from world wars to depressions. Its members have always been active citizens of Grand Rapids and its fortunes have followed that of our city. As new life returned to the downtown area in the last decade, so has it returned to Doric Lodge. We can count ourselves as one of the top lodges in the Grand Lodge of Michigan and are happy to say our story is still being written.
Who is Doric?
Doric lodge is a group of about 350 men from Grand Rapids and its surrounding areas. We come from all walks of life, careers and ages. In the past five years we have had a tremendous influx of 20 to 30 year olds who complement our already strong group of men who vary in ages from 30 to 100. The hallmark of membership in Doric Lodge is the desire to be a good man. We make it a point to be involved in our community and believe that knowing other members of the community is the way a man improves himself. In addition to meetings and ceremonies, we spend considerable time after our meetings catching up on each others lives and discussing the issues of the day. We are friends and we believe that a strong community can only be built by brotherhood, relief and truth.
Our lodge isn’t an old man’s organization nor is it young man’s club. People are often surprised to find our lodge fellowships are mixture of everything from college students to retirees. We also have a strong contingent of veterans who have served in every conflict from WWII to Iraq. Doric Masons can be found in almost every profession: Business owners, doctors, lawyers, salesmen, engineers, law enforcement, manufacturing, pattern makers, truck drivers, etc. etc. While we don’t inquire into the specifics of our member’s own religious faiths, we know that our lodge has representatives from every major Christian denomination, Judaism and Islam.
Doric is proud to have been the lodge of Gerald R. Ford, our nation’s most recent Masonic President. We are quite proud of President Ford’s longstanding career of public service and commitment to the people of Western Michigan.
What does Doric mean?
Doric is an ancient order of architecture invented by the Greeks. Its use is quite prevalent in the structures of the Parthenon. The elements of a Doric column or structure are extraordinarily constant in number, in kind, and in their relation to one another. Doric structures show an internal consistency, a mutual adjustment of parts, that gives them a unique quality of wholeness and organic unity. The solid composition of this order gives it a preference in structures where strength and noble simplicity are chiefly required. Hence it is fitting symbol of our lodge and one in which we take great pride.