Jaffrey Masons install new officers
At Charity Masonic Lodge in Jaffrey, Most Worshipful Daniel Hotchkiss administers the oath to Nathan Townsend, the lodge’s new master. STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID ALLEN
From left, Vernon Townsend, state Masonic Grand Master Daniel Hotchkiss and Charity Lodge Master Nathan Townsend during the installation of officers. —STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID ALLEN
Charity Lodge officers for 2025, from left, Willis Fogg-Marshall, Frank Vernazzaro, Peter Noddin, Peter Keating, David Soroka and Nathan Townsend. STAFF PHOTO BY DAVID ALLEN
| Published: 03-06-2025 11:35 AM |
On Sunday, Jaffrey’s Masonic Charity Lodge installed its new officers for 2025.
The grand master of the State of New Hampshire, Daniel Hotchkiss, presided over the ceremony that installed Nathan Townsend as worshipful master, as well as other officers.
Charity Lodge in Jaffrey dates from 1806, and the oath that Hotchkiss read to Townsend was crafted in 1816. In charging Townsend as master, Hotchkiss encouraged him to “cultivate the good of society” and to encourage those in his lodge to “practice moral duties in the greater world.”
He also stressed the concept of “disinterested friendship,” explaining this idea as involving meeting all individuals as friends without regard to how that relationship could benefit oneself.
Charity Lodge has hosted the Children’s Health Insurance Program to help families who don’t qualify for Medicaid, and annually raises funds for the Jaffrey and Rindge food pantries.
Townsend teaches social studies at South Meadow School in Peterborough and is a resident of Jaffrey.
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