Pioneer Chapter

DEMOLAY AND JOBS DAUGHTERS, a match made in heaven

One of the sweetest memories I have of being the chapter Sweetheart of Pioneer DeMolay was bringing my Bethel and Pioneer chapter together. For many years Bethel #10 and Pioneer chapter, that both met at the same Masonic Lodge, had no contact. Once I became Sweetheart these two groups came together. We had socials, snatch-breakfasts, attended each others Installations and gathered together at Temple night. The girls came out to cheer on the DeMolay teams, danced at the Western League Sweetheart Balls, traveled to the Southern California Conference conventions, tried their luck at car rallies and just hung out and had fun.

One thing led to another and many guys and gals fell in love and got married. Six couples from Bethel #10 and Pioneer DeMolay married and two other Pioneer members married gals from other Bethels. Happily, six out of the eight couples are still together. Not a bad track record. Call me “Yenta”.

The lasting memories and cherished friendships made during the time I was Sweetheart warm my heart. Many of us have reconnected after 25 years including some couples who dated back in the day.

The DeMolay/Jobs Daughter’s connection is alive and well with us “old timers”. Lasting friendships, shared memories, along with love and marriage, truly was a bonus for all of us who share in this Masonic family.

Love,

Julee Silverman

Saint Bernard Priory

In 1970, Dad Mel Pixley approved the creation of a DeMolay Priory. It was named the Saint Bernard Priory of the Chivalric Knights of the Holy Order of Jacques DeMolay. The first Illustrious Knight Commander was R. Stephen Doan. We held the first class in Long Beach and DeMolay's from all over Southern California to be initatiated. The first core of Officers was from West League, with Bill Wilson and Martin Fentress as the second and third in Command. The second term resulted in Martin Fentress serving as IKC. The officers were selected from each of the 11 leagues. The orginal plan was that each DeMolay League was to have their own Priory. Dad Pixley thought that by having members from each League in the second core of officers that this might happen sooner. Unfortunately, this did not happen, as it made having meetings and functions more difficult. The Priory has gone through many changes over the years, at times, just being an honoray title to an active group of older DeMolays.

Hollywood DeMolay Chapter

Hollywood Chapter was the first Chapter in Los Angeles, being chartered in the morning before Los Angeles Chapter was Chartered on the same day. Hollywood DeMolay was once one of the greatest Chapters in all of DeMolay. They have some things that are truly unique. They were the only Chapter authorise to put a rack scene during the DeMolay Degree. The ritual was approved by Kanas City and only Hollywood could put it on. They had a special rack built by the studios for the ceremony. Dusty Rogers, son of Roy Rogers was a member of this great Chapter. One of the most noteworthy items about Hollywood DeMolay is it's PAMACO Club. This is a Past Master Councilors Club of Hollywood DeMolay and at it's last meeting in 2006, it was their 81st annual meeting. A Past Master Councilor from 1932 was there and PMC's from 30's to the 70's. How many youth groups mean enough to meet the rest of their lives. Hollywood DeMolay always wear Red Socks as a way of standing out and the PMC's still do.

Western DeMolay League

The Western DeMolay League was originally formed as an athletic league for the chapters in the Southern California Bay area. It later transformed into a way of communicating between all the Chapters in the area. This included Liberal Arts, L.C. Kelly, Venice Triangle, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Inglewood, Westchester, Pioneer, Roosevelt, Albert Pike, Sunnyside and Hollywood Chapters. The leagues became more of an administrative group at the end. Western League was a pretty important league in the early 70's as it had a lot of members to help elect Jurisdiction Officers. Steve Doan was League president in 1969 and Western League was able to get him elected.

Conejo Valley DeMolay

Conejo Valley DeMolay is sponsored by Conejo Valley Lodge in Thousand Oaks, California. The Chapter started in the early 60's and has gone up and down in membership and being active. In 1996 it stopped meeting until 2000. The Chapter grew to over 35 members in about 3 years, but unfortunately hasn't been meeting as of late. The Chapter is currently trying torecruit new members and start meeting again.

Pacific Palisades Chapter, Pacific Palisades

Pacific Palisades Chapter started in 1961. Brother Don Irving was the first Master Councilor of the Chapter and was a PMC from Venice Triangle Chapter. The Chapter was sponsored by Riveria Lodge No. 780. When I joined the Chapter in 1967, we were meeting in the Arthur Murry Dance Studio. It was not the best place to meet as it smelled of dancers, but it was large enough to have meetings in it. In 1968, the Chapter moved accros the street and began meeting in the American Legion Hall. I was Master Councilor of the Chapter in December 1969 and we held our installation at the Ocean Park Masonic Hall, which had just opened that year. The rent for the Chapter in Pacific Palisade was $75. a month and we were offered to move to Ocean Park Lodge and the Chapter begame Co-Sponsored at that time by both Ocean Park Masonic Lodge and Riveria Lodge. The Chapter during the late 60's until it closed around 1975 was a power house in Western League and SCJ. THe Chapter won Basketball and Softball at the SCJ level. The Chapter was doing great until the Advisory Council fell apart. One adviosr died, two moved to the East Coast and I moved to Ventura County. Without adult leadership the Chapter was doomed. Pacific Palisades Chapter initated Tim Leary into the Chapter and he was our last Master Councilor. Tim went on to become a UCLA Hall of Famer and a pitcher for the 1988 World Series Championship Dodgers. Tim is also has been elected to the DeMolay Hall of Fame.