West Seattle’s Masonic Lodge #152: Changes inside and out

(Photo by Long Bach Nguyen)
At lower-center in our top photo, that’s the Alki Masonic Center in The Junction, the biggest structure still standing on the 40th/Alaska/Fauntleroy/Edmunds block, where The Whittaker soon will rise to the north and east. That project’s developer is giving the center’s parking lot a major regrade and upgrade because of the impact – you can see that in the photo too, with its new asphalt and striping. But those aren’t the only changes for the center-headquartered Alki Masonic Lodge #152, which dates back more than a century. On Saturday, the public was invited to its leadership installation. Below, outgoing Worshipful Master Bob Rice:

Installed to succeed him, the Lodge’s new WM, Martin Monk:

Also installed were Bill Van Cleave, Senior Warden; Michael Sawyer, Junior Warden; Richard Syson, Secretary; and Gary Langenbach, Treasurer. If you haven’t been involved with Lodge #152 or its auxiliary/associated groups, you might know its headquarters best as a rentable hall that’s home to many community events each year, such as the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle pancake-breakfast benefit in early December, and some sponsored by the Lodge itself, such as the annual School Awards. The hall’s calendar for 2015, laid out in the program for Saturday’s ceremony, even includes plans to participate in the WSB-presented West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day on May 9th.

Vincent Dakotah Langley December 21, 2014 (5:39 pm)

To our long-time, good neighbors, Alki Masonic Lodge #152, of West Seattle, Washington:

We’ve lived across Edmunds Street, immediately to the south of you, for fifteen years now. In your aerial picture, above, the apartment building that we live in is seen in the very low, right side of the picture. The apartment building that we live in faces Fauntleroy Way, S.W. — it faces to the east, in other words. And, the apartments that we live in are known as The Thunderbird Apartments. We live over here in APT #20. My name is Vincent Dakotah Langley and my long-time room-mate’s name is Barbara Ann Millett. Either one of us is oftentimes seen out here on 40th Avenue, S.W., walking our little Fawn Chihuahua dog, Tia. We just want to say to you, good neighbors, CONGRATULATIONS on the installation of your new leadership! And, as well, we would like to take this opportunity, also, to say to you all over there at West Seattle’s Alki Masonic Lodge #152 that, for as long as we have lived here in this neighborhood, we have ALWAYS thought of you all over there as really very good neighbors — and, we have over the years here even enjoyed a lot of the musical entertainment and so-forth that you have had over there at the Alki Masonic Lodge #152! You rent your downstairs hall to some really very good and very fine people! We have always liked the Hispanic music that you host over there, and, also the “old school” R&B music, as well!!! I just wanted to take the little bit of time to write this to you all, to let you know that you all are really very much appreciated — and respected — here, in this West Seattle, WA neighborhood that we share!!! Peace be with you all, ALWAYS!!! And also with ALL of yours!!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you all, over there at Alki Masonic Lodge #152!!! And, as well, HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all in the new year, 2015!!!

tjf December 21, 2014 (11:38 pm)

Why oh why isn’t this being torn down? It’s going to be remain an absolute blight in a rejuvenated neighborhood. Can’t they at least be incentivized to give the exterior of the building a makeover? Who in their right mind would want to look at that eyesore every day from their nice new home in The Whittaker? Sigh…

Brian December 22, 2014 (6:39 am)

@tjf: Not sure if trolling or being genuinely serious. Either way, thanks for the laugh.

Mark December 22, 2014 (8:37 am)

Vincent – thanks very much for your note about our lodge. I’ve only recently joined the Masons and Alki Lodge, but your kind words about my new brothers reaffirm that I’ve joined a great group of men. I look forward to many more years of being good neighbors to you and the West Seattle Community! We wish the very happiest of holidays to you and yours.

tjf December 22, 2014 (11:26 am)

@Brian — couldn’t be more serious. It’s depressing to drive by there and realize how ugly that building is and how it’s going to ruin what’s likely to be a nice new development. Being a good neighbor involves keeping up your property — if the Masons care about their community they’d tidy up their building. At least once every decade or two, no? I can’t imagine the developer and future tenants of The Whittaker are happy about what that building in its current state does to the neighborhood. Before it blended in with all the other mess around there — now it really stands out like a sore thumb and will continue to do so with the new development across the street and The Whittaker surrounding it.

Bill Van Cleave December 23, 2014 (10:38 am)

As a fairly new member of Alki 152 and Sr. Warden for the coming year I want to wish every one on the West Seattle Blog a happy holiday season.

One of the reasons I joined Alki 152 was the fine facility the Alki Masonic Center represents in West Seattle. The Exterior appearance of this 1950 vintage building was not a big concern to me. But as an officer of the Lodge I have a voice that can be heard. As the neighborhood improves its appearance, we will to the extent our resources allow, be deliberating on what we can do to keep pace and be cognizant of our appearance to our neighbors.

WSB December 23, 2014 (11:00 am)

Thank you for responding, Bill, and congratulations on your role at the Lodge – Tracy

Bill Van Cleave December 24, 2014 (1:48 pm)

Great thanks Tracy, the West Seattle Blog is another good neighbor for those of us who choose to live in this wonderful community. I feel compelled to suggest that the name *required* field might be best if it required more than just initials.

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