Bob McLendon
Masonic/Church membership
Tue Jul 10 22:34:50 2001


My research has shown me that a very high number of soldiers were members of some church, and were also Masons. It was not uncommon in those days for the local church and Masonic Lodge to be in the same building. For example, Ramer Lodge 243, in south Montgomery County, was on the 2nd floor of the Baptist church, built and pastored by my great-great grandfather. My great grandfather was Master in 1860-61, served in the 53rd Alabama, and a charter member of both the church and Lodge. A number of Confederate soldiers from Ramer belonged to both, and allegedly two companies were issued equipment from that building. Hayes is also right in that there were a lot of other organizations, besides Freemasonry.