From the Enchanted Realm of 1889 to the Prophets of today, our story is one of fellowship, tradition, and the joy of good companionship.
Explore the origins of the Grotto, its arrival in Tennessee, the founding of Zelmar, and the Prophets who shaped our legacy.
For some years prior to 1889, several members of Hamilton Lodge No. 120, F.&A.M., at Hamilton, New York, sought relaxation from the sterner duties of life by holding occasional informal meetings for fun and good fellowship. The chief spirit in the fun was Leroy Fairchild, and in the summer of 1889, he and a devoted band of followers discovered the Enchanted Realm in which, upon entering with song and laughter, they and their successors found a rich heritage. The first meeting of this organization was held on September 10, 1889. It was decided at this meeting that the membership of the organization should be confined to Master Masons in good standing.
The Grotto was introduced to Tennessee in 1915 at the formation of Amra Grotto #67 in Knoxville. Amra’s first Monarch was Fayette Griffin, a Past Master of Masters Lodge #244. Other founding officers included Chief Justice RAD Stanis, Master of Ceremonies Dr. William T. DeSautelle, Secretary Walter L. Mason, and Treasurer George L. Ogdin. Appointed officers included Grand Chamberlain E.H. Stegall, Marshall R.W. Vineyard, Captain of the Guard W.L. Jacobs, Orator J. Bailey Wray, Steward Calloway Moore, Standard Bearer J.W. Waisman, and Sentinel P.T. Ghormly.
A total of 100 Prophets were necessary to gain a charter. On December 1, 1915, there was an initial cohort of 44 Masons who took the obligation at the first-ever Ceremonial in Tennessee. The remaining members were procured shortly thereafter, and a second cohort was initiated on July 19, 1916, by Grand Monarch William J. Cross at the Grand Theater, who also presented the membership their Charter for work. A parade over Gay Street followed, and the OES provided a luncheon at the Locust Street Masonic Temple. The next day, Amra Grotto held their inaugural ball at the Whittle Springs Pavilion. That Friday, Amra conferred the order on a group of Chattanooga Masons who formed Tu-O-Kool Grotto #70.
“Delightful are the flowers of the Amra trees on the mountain-tops, while the murmuring bees pursue their voluptuous toil.”
The activities of Amra Grotto included annual picnics, yearly Carnivals, monthly dances, parades, auto races at Inskip Speedway, baseball games, a Luncheon Club, a crack band, a Patrol unit, a Saxophone Quartet, a Wangdoodle Quartet, a theater group, and more. In 1927, Amra Caldron was formed under the direction of Mighty Chosen One Laura Cassady and Secretary Jessie Caldwell. In 1934, the Patrol unit assumed control of the Whittle Springs Hotel and Golf Course for a three-year term. General Conference Chairman and Monarch Max Friedman organized the 1935 Supreme Sessions to be held in Knoxville.
In 1937, Amra Grotto #67 closed and reorganized, adopting the name Zelmar Grotto #176. Zelmar is a shortened form of the Catalan phrase de la mar, meaning “of the sea” or “by the pond.” Though Knoxville is landlocked, it is believed the name references the original meeting location’s proximity to Fountain City, home of the historic Duck Pond constructed in the 1890s. Zelmar’s founding officers were Monarch William C. Burton, Chief Justice and House Representative Arthur Atkin, Master of Ceremonies Lennis I. Reed, Secretary William D. Householder, and Treasurer Samuel A. Mooney.
Prominent figures in Zelmar include several SEGA presidents: 1960 Bradley Van Hoesen, 1966 W. R. Coleman, 1971 Eugene Walker, 1979 Wayne Bell, 1986 Paul A. Dalton, Sr., and 1994 Argus L. Moyers. Units include the Swashbucklers, the Sheiks, and the Sportsmen. Our Ceremonials are performed each May and October to great success. The Prophets of Zelmar invite you to our stated meetings on the 3rd Thursday of every month. You never know where you will find us, but YOU’RE WELCOME!