The seeds for Springs Lodge# 378 F. & A.H. were actually planted by one who was not a member of the Craft, but had a close working relationship with Masons during his ministry and a high regard for the principles of Masonry. He was Rev. Roger F. Shively, minister of the United Methodist Church in Homosassa Springs and who on his own initiative in 1975 placed an ad in the IocaI paper for all Masons who were interested in forming a Masonic Lodge in the Homosassa Springs area to meet at the United Methodist Church and start laying a foundation. Rev. Shively could foresee the need for a Masonic Lodge in this expanding area and at that first meeting sixteen Masons from various lodges attended. Rev. Roger F. Shively became the first applicant for the degrees in Masonry in Springs Lodge.
The attendance at subsequent meetings increased and it was then brought to the attention of the Craft that the windows of the Church would have to be tiled; as this was not practical Fred Lumpkin, owner of Sunnydays Plaza on Highway 19 in Homosassa Springs offered the use of one of his stores to be used as a meeting place. This was used until 1980.
July 9,1977 Floral City, Florida – An Emergent Communication of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge F & AM of Florida at Floral City Lodge# 133 F. & A.M. at 3:00 P.M. was
opened by the Most Worshipful Grand Master William C. Mitchell for the purpose of setting to work Springs Lodge U D with Dispensation to·work in Homosassa Springs, Florida in the 18th Masonic District.
| Grand Lodge Officers | |
| William C. Mitchell | Most Worshipful Grand Master |
| Donald H. Wassell | Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master |
| Franklin C. Smith | Right Worshipful Senior Grand Warden |
| J. Roy Crowthes | Right Worshipful Junior Grand Warden |
| Z. E. Blanton | Right Worshipful Grand Treasurer |
| William A. Whitcomb | Right Worshipful Grand Secretary |
| Lewis G. Ciurelli | Right Worshipful Grand Chaplain |
| T. Frank Trowell | Worshipful Grand Marshall |
| J. Hilton Brown | Worshipful Grand Senior Deacon |
| Billy P. Peters | Worshipful Grand Junior Deacon |
| Archie J. Bradford Jr | Worshipful Grand Standard Bearer |
| Charles B Finney | Worshipful Grand Sword Bearer |
| E. H. Higgenbothem | Worshipful Senior Grand Steward |
| H. K. Wiggins | Worshipful Junior Grand Steward |
| Paul Hall | Worshipful Grand Pursuivant |
| J. Carl Clemmon | Worshipful Grand Tyler |
A procession was formed which proceeded into the Lodge Room of Floral City Lodge #133 where the ceremony of setting to work Springs Lodge UD was conducted by the Grand Master in Ancient Ceremony and Ample Form and the Officers of Springs Lodge were officially placed in their respective Stations and place.
| OFFICERS THAT WERE PLACED IN SPRINGS LODGE UD | |
| Wayne Orey Faul | Worshipful Master |
| Thomas Edward Howell | Senior Warden |
| William George Locke | Junior Warden |
| John Zambori | Treasurer |
| Ernest Parks Howell | Secretary |
| Lloyd Newton Messer | Chaplain |
| Wallace Wesley Moranson | Marshall |
| Hallie B Castell | Senior Deacon |
| Roy Eldon Carr | Junior Deacon |
| Joseph Walter Brown | Senior Steward |
| Charles Herber Watshon | Junior Steward |
| Ben Keel | Tyler |
After the installation the following offered appropriate remarks of congratulations and well wishes.
Most Worshipful William C. Mitchell, Grand Master
Right Worshipful Donald H. Wassell, Deputy Grand Master
Right Worshipful Franklin C. Smith, Senior Grand Warden
Right Worshipful Wm. A. Whitcomb, Grand Secretary
Right Worshipful Wm. C. Wilson; District Deputy Grand Master, District
Worshipful Wayne O. Faul, Worshipful Master of Springs Lodge UD thanked the Grand Masters for the Dispensation and pledged full attendance of the member and strict compliance with the requirements of the Grand Lodge.
The Emergent Communication was closed at 4:05 P.M. by Most Worshipful William C. Mitchell, Grand Master, after which refreshments were served by the members of the Order of the Eastern Star. Brother Davis Carr took pictures after the communication which Went to the Lodge.
At the first meeting of Springs Lodge UD Brother Alvin H. DiPasco, P.M., Treasurer of Citrus Shrine Club on behalf of the club offered the use of the proposed building to Springs Lodge U. D. if they so desired.
A resolution in the form of a motion was made and passed that the City of Crystal River be declared an open city with Inglis Lodge# 324.
The following donations were made:
| The Following Donations were made: | |
| Refrigerator | Brother Morgan |
| Alter Bible | Brother Charles Minarli |
| Ash Trays | Brother Davies Carr (in memory of his Father Henry Carr) |
| Working Tools (Money) | Worshipful Wayne Faul, Brother Hallie Castell, Louis Edgar, Leon Mogan, Archie Criffin & John Stoddard |
| Square & Compass | Brother Gi II J. Roberts |
| Stewart’s Apron | Brother Charles H. Watson |
| Treasures Apron | Brother Jack Zamboria |
| Senior Deacon Apron | Brother Hallie B. Castell |
| Senior Deacon Working Tools & Clock | Right Worshipful Dave Woodrup, P.D.D.G. |
| Set of Gavels | Right Worshipful Tom Price |
| White Gloves | Brother Dan Oblinger |
| Bible Marker | Brother Howell |
The first Masonic funeral service for departed Brother Alva H. White was held by Springs Lodge U.D. on October 5,1977, with Worshipful Brother Wayne O. Faul presiding. Funeral services were held for Brother Charles Herbert Watson, a member of Citrus Lodge# 118 F. & A.M. of Inverness who deserved to become a charter member of Springs Lodge U.D. conducted by Brother John G. Diggan of Citrus Lodge. Fred Lumpkin, owner of Happy Days Plaza has furnished the building and the utilities in which the Lodge meets for the past two years, free of any charges, so a motion was made and passed on December 20,1977 that $25.00 per month be sent to Fred Lumpkin to cover utilities and as the cost thereof rises the lodge increase this monthly payment proportionately .. This offer of payment was again refused by Mr. Fred Lumpkin but he stated that should he need funds in the future he would let Springs Lodge know.
An emergency communication of the Grand Lodge of Florida was called on May 12,1978 for the purpose of Constituting Springs Lodge# 378. The Most Worshipful Grand Master Donald H. Wassell presided.
The Most Worshipful Grand Master Donald H. Wassell installed Brother Wayne Orey Faul as Master. Right Worshipful Tom Price Installed Brother William G. Locke as-Senior Warden and Brother Hallie B. Castell as Junior Warden. Right Worshipful Franklin C. Smith installed Brother Herbert M. Kipp as Treasurer and Brother E . .Parks Howell as Secretary. Most Worshipful Grand Master seated Rufus Morgan as Chaplin Right Worshipful D. Ledbetter DDAM1 8 Dist. installed Joseph W. Brown as Senior Deacon and Brother Roy E. Carr as Junior Deacon Rw. Bert Robertson installed Bro, Gilbert Roberts as Senior Steward and Brother Harold David Warren as Junior Steward. Host Worshipful Grand Master installed Henry Humphrey as Tyler. The worshipful Master paid special tribute to Right Worshipful Tom Price, Right Worshipful Bert Robinson, Mrs. Gladys Howell, wife of the secretary and to Mrs. Robinson.
By-Laws of Springs Lodge# 378 were adopted on May 20, 1978. Brother Laurin Andrews Gatling had the distinction of being the first Brother to pass his Master Mason proficiency on May 20 1978 and·receive his White Leather Apron. Right Worshipful Henry D. Ledbetter, Deputy District _Grand Master who was the first District Deputy paid an official visit to Springs Lodge# 378 on May .20,1978. On December 5,1978 the following officers were elected: Brother Hallie B. Castell Worshipful Master (Brother Bill Locke, P.M. requested that he not be advanced to the East because of his and his wife health)
| Brother Joseph W. Brown | Senior Warden |
| Brother William G. Locke | Junior Warden |
| Brother Herbert M. Kipp | Treasurer |
| Brother E. P. Howell | Secretary |
| The following officers were appointed by the Master Elect | |
| w. w. Morganson | Marshall |
| R. Leon Morgan | Chaplain |
| Owen Howard | Senior Deacon |
| Francis H. Humphrey | Junior Deacon |
| David Warren | Senior Steward |
| Laurin A. Galting | Junior Steward |
| Russel D. Merrit | Tyler |
A 50 year pin was presented to Brother William John McMann on behalf of the Grand Lodge of Ohio and Lodge # 625 December 12,1970.
On January 2,1979 a 50 year pin was presented to Brother Charles Henry Spress of Hoffman Lodge# 412 Grand Lodge of New.York.
Wayne 0. Faul, Master of Springs Lodge# 37 installed the new slate of Officers for 1979 on January-2,1979, On February 20,1979 a 50 year pin was presented to Brother Arthur Carlton Proden of Swanton Lodge# 555 of Ohio.
On April 17,1979 Brother James McKigney of the Citrus Shrine Club offered Springs Lodge a building site in Green Acres (where the former temple was erected) with the stipulation this property be used for Masonic purposes. A motion was passed to accept this offer. This property was originally donated to the Citrus Shrine Club by Brother Gene DiMaggio.
A funeral service for Brother John W. Zamboria, the past Treasurer of Springs Lodge was conducted on May 31,1979, A check for $500.00 was presented from Bertha E. Zamboria, widow of John Zamboria for the building fund in memory of her husband.
On December 4,1979 election of officers for 1980 was held and the following were elected to office:
| Brother Joseph Walter Brown | Worshipful Master |
| Brother.William George Locke | Senior Warden |
| Brother Harold David Warren | junior Warden |
| Brother Herbert M. Kipp | Treasurer |
| Brother Richard Ferrell Wilder | Secretary |
At the December 18,1979 meeting it was announced that plans for a
40 x 70 Masonic building were being drawn up by Brother David
Warren’s Father. It was later announced at the February 19,1980 meeting
that the building would be 40 x80. Brother Sam Sample announced that Mason Concrete would give the Concrete and blocks at cost. Also received monetary pledges from several members and guests, as follows:
| Park Howell | $200.00 |
| David Warren | $500.00 |
| David Carr | $500.00 |
| Laurin GatlIn | $100.00 |
| Sam Sample | $100.00 |
| Francis Humphrey | $100.00 |
| Ed Currier | $50.00 |
| Ben KeeI | $100.00 |
| Fred Fuller | $100.00 |
| HaI Davis | $100.00 |
| Wayne Faul | $100.00 |
Ed Currier also announced that he had a friend that would donate $1,000.00 after the building was started. Brother Ben Keel and James Harris said they would lay out the foundation.
On January 22, 1983 Springs Lodge held a dinner, entitled Gene DcMaggio night at which dinner they honored some of the people responsible for the progress made by the lodge. It honored the following:
Gene DeMaggio – with a plague and an honorary life membership for donating the land.
Citrus Shrine Club- with a plague and a certificate for transferring title to the land to Springs Lodge.
By vote of the membership of the members of Springs Lodge the plagues were to be permanently mounted on each side of the entrance to the Lodge Hall.
William Locke who entered the Celetial Lodge above during his term as Master for all his efforts in building the temple.
Dave Warren was honored as the Junior Past Master and Fred Lumpkin for his efforts in promoting and encouraging Springs Lodge.
“from the ashes of defeat grow the roses of success”
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