History of Pahrump Lodge No. 54
Pahrump Lodge No. 54, Free & Accepted Masons, was chartered on November 11, 1985, under the authority of the Grand Lodge of Nevada. From its beginning, the Lodge has served as a place where men of good character gather for fellowship, self-improvement, and service to the community of Pahrump.
The land upon which the Lodge now stands was generously donated by Brother Kenneth A. Ings on July 27, 1985, helping establish a permanent Masonic presence in the Pahrump Valley.
The First Officers
At the time of its founding, the Lodge elected its first officers to guide the new body of Masons in the valley.
The first elected officers of Pahrump Lodge No. 54 were:
- Worshipful Brother Trucks, Worshipful Master
- Worshipful Brother Martin McClay, Senior Warden
- Brother Floyd Neth, Junior Warden
Under their leadership, the Lodge began its work of establishing Freemasonry in the growing community of Pahrump.
Early Years
In its early years, Pahrump Lodge No. 54 met in several locations throughout the community. The most recent location prior to securing a permanent home was the Pahrump Community Center.
From the very beginning, many members dreamed of one day constructing a permanent Lodge building. For a small Lodge in a rural community, that goal often seemed difficult to achieve. Nevertheless, the brethren remained committed to the vision.
Through years of fundraisers, careful stewardship of Lodge resources, and the dedication of its members, the Lodge steadily worked toward making that dream a reality.
Building the Lodge
On November 1, 1998, Pahrump Lodge No. 54 officially broke ground on its Lodge building.
Exactly one year and one day later, on November 2, 1999, the concrete for the Lodge foundation was poured. A total of 85 yards of concrete was used to create the main floor, which measures 5,288 square feet and is four inches thick.
Before the first block was laid, the reinforcing steel within the slab was bent to form the initials of Worshipful Brother David M. Stundon, P.M., who served as Worshipful Master of the Lodge at that time.
The construction of the building represented the culmination of many years of planning, labor, and dedication by the members of the Lodge.
Cornerstone Ceremony
In keeping with one of Freemasonry’s oldest traditions, the cornerstone of the Lodge building was laid on the last Saturday of September in the year 2000.
Cornerstone ceremonies are symbolic acts performed by Freemasons for centuries, representing the moral and spiritual foundation upon which both buildings and character are constructed. For the brethren of Pahrump Lodge No. 54, the ceremony marked the realization of a long-held dream: a permanent Masonic home in the Pahrump Valley.
The Tile Project
In the early spring of 2016, the idea of installing a traditional tiled floor in the Lodge room was raised among the brethren. The proposal was brought before the Lodge in open session and ultimately approved by a vote of the members present.
A long and arduous search then began for the proper type of tile. Numerous inquiries were made to vendors and suppliers, including some as far away as England. It soon became apparent that the traditional pattern desired was no longer widely produced and had become difficult to locate.
Eventually, a manufacturer and dealer in Las Vegas was located who could supply appropriate samples. After reviewing the options, the Lodge selected 24-inch by 24-inch glossy ceramic tiles in the traditional black-and-white pattern, and a purchase order was submitted.
Brothers Dave Cook and Worshipful Brother Dave White generously volunteered their services to complete the installation. After obtaining the tile, floor membrane, thin-set mortar, and grout, the project began following the last stated meeting in June.
Although neither brother had previous experience laying tile, both had extensive building backgrounds. Their dedication to the project was evident as they worked diligently—sometimes until 7:00 PM—to complete the installation.
The project ultimately took nearly a month to finish. Through their efforts, the Lodge gained a beautiful and meaningful addition to its Lodge room.
Needless to say, both brothers could now rightfully claim to be “operative masons” as well as speculative Masons.
Masonic Symbolism
The tiled area surrounding the altar measures 160 square feet, forming a rectangle 10 feet by 16 feet. This design reflects the traditional black-and-white mosaic pavement, one of the most recognizable symbols in Freemasonry.
The mosaic pavement represents the diversity and duality of human life—the light and dark experiences that shape our journey. Within the Lodge room, it serves as a reminder that Freemasons are called to walk uprightly upon this symbolic pavement, conducting themselves with balance, integrity, and virtue.