Lodges Helping Lodges: Repairs Gifted from the Heart

Inspired by a call from then-R.W. Deputy Grand Master Robert D. Brink last summer, Brother John P. Sellani, Sr., District Deputy Grand Master, rallied the 8th Masonic District to support a struggling rural lodge located nearly four hours away.

After visiting Westfield Lodge No. 477 in northwest Tioga County, Brother Rob mentioned the lodge was seeking $14,000 for repairs. Knowing Lodge No. 9 in Warminster (225 members) had a strong financial foundation, including a charity fund and various legacy bequests, he suggested they might be willing to support their brothers in District 17.

“[R.W. Grand Master] Brink strongly believes that it’s good for both the giver and the receiver when a financially strong lodge steps up to help a lodge that needs it, and that this activity can be very positive for the fraternity,” John said.

Driven by a desire to foster greater collaboration between suburban and city lodges, Rob encouraged John to travel to Westfield Lodge for a stated meeting and dinner. Although John originally planned for other brothers to accompany him, a combination of mechanical issues and illness ultimately required him to make the trip alone to present the donation check for the full amount to the membership in October 2025.

“When I got there, you could feel the warmth from the brothers,” John said. “The Worshipful Master almost had tears in his eyes because there was no way they could raise the money.

“It was nice to see such a heartfelt expression of gratitude. It made me feel warm and welcome. [During the trip] I was also able to visit the Pennsylvania ‘Grand Canyon’ in Wellsboro, which had been on my bucket list and was only 10 minutes away.”

John’s visit to the third-floor lodge hall, located within a U.S. Postal Service building, revealed a critical need. The “general repairs” were a specific request to replace
two non-functional chairlifts. Without an elevator, these stairs prevented many older brothers, as well as members of appendant bodies like the Eastern Star and Widows Sons, from meeting there.

Westfield Lodge completed the much-needed repairs by early January 2026, said Brother Greg Wood, P.M.

“I really pushed this project back when I was Worshipful Master, and it has been the project for every master since, but due to a variety of circumstances, it never came together,” he said. “I had seen six or seven members fall off because of the obstacle. We’re planning on not losing any more members to that issue.”

Westfield Lodge members made a reciprocal visit to Lodge No. 9 in January. They stopped at the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia as well, an experience they won’t soon forget.

Greg arranged the trip to the Masonic Temple with R.W. Past Grand Master Thomas Gamon, IV, who accompanied the group of eight brothers. Greg had been planning the trip for years, but the pandemic delayed the visit. The lodge celebrated its 150th anniversary during the pandemic.

“Each lodge gives in countless ways, often without notice, without fanfare and without expectation of recognition,” said Brian J. Tevlin, District Deputy Grand Master for the 17th Masonic District. “The greatest gift of charity is one given from the heart, purely for the sake of helping others. And that is precisely what we do in District 8.”

John agreed. While the fraternity supports many causes, he’s most proud of the work brothers do for one another.

“It comes from the heart, and that is what makes it powerful,” he said.