Our history
Stephen Poole Waltrip
Who was Stephen Poole Waltrip? The individual our lodge was named after and whose picture hangs in the foyer of our Lodge building. This question has been asked by many of our new members.
S.P. Waltrip was born in Malden, Missouri on December 17, 1878. He was a child when his family moved to Texas. At the age of 16, he was a teacher who taught at a school in Walnut Springs and then later in Buffalo, all while still pursuing his own education at the University of Texas. He graduated from the University of Texas with B.S. and M.S. degrees. He was very proficient in mathematics which happened to be his favorite subject.
In 1910, S.P. Waltrip settled in Houston where he served as Superintendent of Schools in Harrisburg, Brunner, and Houston Heights. These were later annexed by the City of Houston. When the Heights area was annexed by Houston in 1918, the then well-known and highly respected S.P Waltrip was named Principal of John Reagan Sr. High School. In the prime of his life and at the peak of a brilliant career, the much beloved S.P. Waltrip died on February 2, 1932, at the age of 53.
Brother Waltrip received his degrees in Freemasonry at Reagan Lodge No. 1037, A.F. & A.M., and was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on March 17, 1920. While he was growing in light and knowledge he was honored by being elected as Worshipful Master. He served Reagan Lodge for the 1923-1924 masonic year.
Brother Waltrip was married to Hattie Kay Kahn. In that marriage they were blessed with twin sons. Brother Maurice C. Waltrip and Brother Robert E. Waltrip, both of which became masons within the same community in which their father served not only as an educator but a mason as well. Brother Waltrip was fond of the great outdoors and spent much time walking in the woods of what is today the bustling Spring Branch area of the City of Houston. He was an ardent fisherman and had many hobbies like carpentry and was skilled at cabinet making.
When the idea of a new lodge in the Spring Branch area of Houston was conceived, the brethren decided the lodge would be named Spring Branch Lodge. This name was addressed in the dispensation to the Grand Lodge of Texas when the request to form a new lodge was made. However, in order to avoid any possible confusion by sound and similarity to Spring Lodge No. 1174 which was already chartered by the Grand Lodge of Texas in the same area, the Grand Lodge of Texas advised that an alternative name be chosen. The Grand Lodge of Texas suggested that the lodge be named after a late distinguished brother in masonry that lived a life of service to the community. The Brethren that set out to establish this new lodge were then also members of Reagan Lodge No. 1037. They unanimously agreed that the lodge be named after a leader in education. Thus, it was decided that the lodge would be called S.P. Waltrip Lodge.
S.P. Waltrip Lodge No. 1328, A.F. & A.M. is proud to be named after a late pillar of the community in education in Harris County.
Lodge Merger and the Story of the Lesser Lights
On December 16, 1882 at Center City Lodge No. 558 in Center City, Texas, the lodge decided to open its doors for the first time. For almost 91 years, Center City Lodge No. 558 was a community gathering place for the small Central Texas town.
On September 11, 1973 Center City Lodge No. 558 merged with Goldthwaite Lodge No. 694. The Lesser Lights gracing the lodge room of Center City Lodge No. 558 were turned off for the last time inside the old lodge building. Brother Floyd Green had the task of disposing of the old lodge building. However, while doing so, he kept something special with him. The Lesser Lights were removed from the lodge and taken back to his home where they were carefully stored in the cellar. The lights remained in that small cellar for more than 40 years.
In 2014, the Lesser Lights, composed of antique car parts and plumbing supplies was rediscovered by the Green family while cleaning out the cellar. They were then passed on to Brother Floyd Green’s grandson, Brother Chris Green of S.P. Waltrip Lodge No. 1328 in Houston, Texas.
On July 5, 2016 at S.P. Waltrip Lodge's installation of officers ceremony, the old Lesser Lights lamp was turned on again as Brother Green was installed as Worshipful Master of the Lodge. The treasured Lesser Lights continue to grace our lodge room to this day.