On July 7, 1893, a group of Masonic brethren assembled in Norman Hall (located above the John A Belt store) to organize a lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons in Gaithersburg. Lynch Lodge #163 A.F. & A.M. of Frederick, Maryland, fostered this action.
On July 27, 1893, the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Maryland, Brother Thomas J. Shyrock, granted a dispensation and Pentalpha Lodge was instituted. On November 22, 1893, at 10:00 a.m., a charter was granted by the Grand Lodge and Pentalpha Lodge was legally constituted. Pentalpha’s first elected officers were Brothers Robert M. Moore, Worshipful Master; E.D. Kinsley, Senior Warden; John A. Belt, Junior Warden; P.M. Smith, Secretary; and H.B. Cramer, Treasurer.
The first meeting took place in a rented hall over the harness shop belonging to J.H. Nicholls. On December 22, 1899, the cornerstone was laid for a new Masonic Temple on Russell Avenue. The building was built by Delta Lodge of Perfection, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite.
Pentalpha Chapter No. 38, Order of the Eastern Star, of Germantown, was born in early 1920. While no records can be found as to the exact date on which it was instituted, it is believed to have taken place in early February. Twenty-eight Chapter Members were initiated by Naomi Chapter.
Helen Etchison was the Chapter’s first Worthy Matron. Originally from Frederick, Maryland, she played the piano and was active in the community. She was the wife of Bates Etchison, who for many years was the only dentist in Gaithersburg. He also was the president of the First NationalBank of Gaithersburg. They had no children. However, Helen had two brothers, one of whom as George Myers; her sister was Isabelle Myers Ward.
Charles Becraft was the first Worthy Patron, and his wife’s name was Katie Becraft. They had six children, Mabel Becraft, PM, Eva M. Lanahan, PM, Helen M. Bean, J. Herbert Becraft, Clarence Becraft and Henry Becraft. Charles owned a grocery store at the corner of Route 355 and Brooks Avenue in Gaithersburg. The entire Becraft family was active in the Pentalpha Star Chapter andLodge. Katie and Helen served as Star Point Electa. Jesse C. Crawford served as the Chapter’s first Associate Matron.
A letter from Brother Coombs, the Grand Secretary, was read at the October 1, 1920 meeting stating that a special meeting of the Grand Chapter would convene on October 13 at that year for the purpose of granting Charters to Barton, Kensington, and Pentalpha Chapters, U.D.
At the November 19, 1920, meeting a communication was read from the Grand Secretary concerning the date the Chapter would be constituted (but no date was included in the minutes). The Bylaws of the Chapter were approved on December 3, 1920.
The Pentalpha Masonic bodies remained in the building on Russell Avenue until late 1972, when the building was condemned and the Lodge was forced to move. The Temple on Russell Avenue was razed in 1976.
For the next fourteen years, the Lodge held meetings at various locations, including the Knights of Pythias Hall on Game Preserve Road, Darnestown Presbyterian Church and Epworth Methodist Church. In 1983, the house and land on old Route 118 (now Boland Farm Road) were purchased. Meetings were held in the two-car garage better known as the “cozy lodge” while construction on the main lodge building got underway.
In December 1992, Pentalpha Masonic bodies finally held their first meetings in their new Lodge Room which is still used today. Other Masonic orders have made Pentalpha Masonic Center their home including: the International Order of Jobs Daughters Bethel #27 (1946-2001), The International Order of Rainbow for Girls Assembly #12 (1992-current), and the Montgomery County York Rite (2018-current).
In October of 1995, Pentalpha Chapter OES celebrated its Diamond Jubilee (75th Year) with a luncheon at Montgomery Country Club. In October of 2022, they celebrated their Platinum Anniversary (100th Year) with a luncheon at Bretton Woods Country Club.