The History of Creigh Council No. 16 While Creigh Council No. 16, Royal and Select Master Masons of Pennsylvania, as we know it, has been in existence since 1920, however 1920 is the date of its reconstitution. It was actually first constituted in the year 1860. This event was documented in the proceedings of the Grand Council of Pennsylvania.
 
The Grand Council of Pennsylvania was instituted in the year 1854, and Alfred Creigh, after whom our beloved Council was named, was elected Grand Master and continued in that office until 1869. The proceedings of 1860, in which year the Grand Council of Royal, Super-Excellent and Select Masters held their quarterly session in Reading, show that the Council degrees were exemplified by Right Puissant Christian F. Knapp, Grand Illustrious Master, upon the following Royal Arch Masons: Companions J.L. Stichler, J.F. Bellemere, Rev. M.C. Lightner, Lewis Heilman, H.C. Crecelius, Stephen Orth, J.H. Stevenson, H.R. Hawman, George M. Keim, F.S. Hunter, and J. Golden of No. 62, W.H. Strickland of No. 227. Rev. D. Washburn of No. 216, Pottsville, and G.H. McCabe of No. 228, Tamaqua. On June 26, 1860, application was made by these Companions for a dispensation to institute a Council, to be called Creigh Council No. 16, in the city of Reading.
 
The dispensation was granted, the work exemplified and the officers installed. They were:
 
J.F. Bellemer – Thrice Illustrious Grand Master
G.M. Keim – Deputy Illustrious Grand Master
H.B. Lowe – Principal Conductor of Work
J.H. Stevenson – Treasurer
H.C. Crecelius – Recorder
 
On July 5, 1860, the Grand Master visited Creigh Council and its entire membership evinced the strongest desire to become thoroughly acquainted with Cryptic Masonry. Degrees were conferred at that time on four candidates.
 
In June of 1868 in the city of Scranton, Creigh Council presented a Most Puissant Grand Master’s jewel, collar and apron to Grand Master Creigh. The Council seemed to be in a prosperous condition for a number of years, and a number of Creigh Council’s officers were members in the Grand Line of Grand Council. Tens years after its constitution, Creigh Council had a membership of 84 and by 1874, the membership has risen to 107. At that time the assemblies were held quarterly; in March, June, September and December. On November 23, 1875, Illustrious Companion Christian F. Knapp, Most Puissant Grand Master, visited Council No. 16 and conferred the three degrees upon three candidates.
 
From then on it appears that Creigh Council had passed its heyday. In 1880 its membership had dropped to 72. The next year it dropped to 59 and in 1882 no returns were made to Grand Council. Apparently, this decline was not due solely to the lack of interest, nor did it take place in Creigh Council alone, for while in 1876 the membership in Grand Council was 1800, by 1880 it had dropped to 1200. Furthermore, on February 19, 1878, the District Deputy Grand Master of District No. 1 reported that long-continued depression in business circles and the financial embarrassment that had swept over the community had tended very materially to limit the number of applications for the degrees of Cryptic Masonry. Six years later, in 1884, depressed business conditions must still have prevailed, for we find the following statement in the Grand Council proceedings for that year: “Many causes over which the Companions have no control have been the means of enervating the Companions in the special duties; among them not the least is the depressed condition of business in all departments in the various sections of our Jurisdiction”. At the annual meeting that year, only eight Councils were represented.
 
All the notwithstanding, there were a number of Councils with a much lower mem¬bership which continued to operate. In 1884 the Committee appointed to recommend the next place of meeting of Grand Council designated Reading as its choice. However, since Council No. 16 had not made any returns for two years, its warrant was suspended in accord¬ance with the provisions of the constitution of Grand Council. It then met at Lancaster. On December 3, 1887, Illustrious Companion Charles K. Francis, Most Puissant Grand Master, visited Reading, and had a conference with a number of the Companions, but there was no meeting of the Body. Since the Counccil had not met for several years, its warrant was sequestrated. Thus ended the first chapter of Creigh Council No. 16.
 
In the following years, particularly between 1912 and 1920, a number of the Chapter Masons in Reading considered reconstituting the Council and on July 15, 1915, twelve Companions joined Lebanon Council No. 27 with this idea in mind. There is no record easily available as to how many more Companions joined No. 27. On December 21, 1920 Creigh Council was reconstituted in Reading at a Special Grand Assembly of Grand Council with Illustrious Companion Samuel E. Bashore as Most Puissant Grand Master. The following Charter Members were present:
 

John G. Bachofer	Henry H. Barr	Warren C. M. Binckley	James M. Bitter
William C. Bitting	Jonathan S. Brintzenhoff	Edwin Brockway	H. Franklin Brossman
William C. Brown	John E. Clouser	John L. Coxe	Augustus W. Crosby
Erasmus H. Fenstermacher	Wallace C. Fritz	Daniel M. Green	Harry L. Heiser
Christian H. Kendig	Luther W. Lord	Landes F. Miller	LeRoy Reber
Edward Schulze	Aaron B. Stein	Alvin S. Sweeten	George T. Wink
Curvous G. Yoder	Samuel Y. Neidig

 
Illustrious Companion Neidig applied for the warrant to have Creigh Council No. 16. Royal and Select Masters reconstituted and its officers installed in due and ancient form. By direction of the Most Puissant Grand Master, the Right Puissant Grand Recorder, Frank W. Martenis, then read the warrant for the reconstitution of Creigh Council No. 16.
 
The following officers were installed:
 
Jonathan S. Brintzenhoff - Thrice Illustrious Master
James M. Bitter - Deputy Illustrious Master
Samuel Y. Neidig - Principal Conductor of Work
John L. Coxe – Treasurer
H. Franklin Brossman – Recorder
 
At the first regular Assembly held on January 21, 1921, 54 petitions were presented and unanimously approved. Illustrious Companion Frank G. Hart-man, Most Puissant Grand Master with the Grand Officers, honored the Council with their presence.
 
The Council prospered until 1930 when membership reached 232 Illustrious Companions. In the following years of business depression, interest slumped until by 1940 the membership dropped more than 50 percent. Then it again started to rise and by the end of 1945 grew to over 200.
 
In the 40’s and 50’s, on frequent occasions, Creigh Council was been asked to confer the degrees in different Councils. The cast conferring the Super-Excellent Master's degree was highly complimented at the District meetings, also at Norristown, Lebanon and at Newark, NJ. After one particular conferral, the Most Puissant Grand Master, William E. Montgomery, told the Assembly: "It has never been my privilege to be present at so large, so enthusiastic, so impressive, and so interesting a gathering of members of the Cryptic Rite." There were present 56 Illustrious Companions from 11 Pennsylvania Councils, and the Select Masters Degree was conferred by Creigh Council with Illustrious Companion William H. Terrey acting as Thrice Illustrious Master. In February of 1945, Creigh Council received an invitation. from Cryptic Council No. 51 of Norristown, to attend the twenty-fifth anniversary of their constitution. The reports and history of this Council were the inspiration for the celebration of Creigh Council’s twenty-fifth anniversary which was celebrated months later in that same year.
 
During the years from 1945 to 1952 Creigh Council continued to prosper and grow. The year 1947 proved to be a very good year for Creigh Council. The Council was selected to confer the Super-Excellent Masters Degree at the Annual District Meeting held at Reading. According to the minutes of that Assembly 71 members, 32 visitors and 10 Grand Officers were present. Creigh Council's degree team conferred the assigned degree in a splendid manner.
 
In 1951 Creigh Council recorded an excellent year under the leadership of Thrice Illustrious Master Franklin T. Shimer. For which we find that Creigh Council was again selected to confer the Super Excellent Masters Degree at a District Assembly at Reading. it was decided to name the class "The Erwin, E. Breisch Class" in honor of Past Puissant Grand Master Erwin E. Breisch who, aside from his family, had no second love other than Freemasonry and the Cryptic Rite and dedicated his life to the cause.
 
As a result of a directive from the Most Puissant Grand Master Louis Reed, Creigh Council was directed to confer all the Degrees in the Cryptic Rite. There were 38 Illustrious Companions in the Class. The largest Super-Excellent class in Creigh Council's history. We find there were 82 members, 48 visitors and 10 Grand Officers present. Highlighting 1952 as a result of the continued activity and untiring efforts of the members of Creigh Council. Grand Council saw fit to appoint to the Grand Line, Illustrious Companion William H. Terrey to the station of Grand Captain of the Guard. On April 7, 1952 we find recorded the passing of our beloved Illustrious Companion John G. Bachofer, PTIM For his untiring efforts and countless hours of labor, his wisdom, his sincerity and his ingenious approach to the intricate problems involved in securing and compiling the historical facts found in the First Quarter Century of Creigh Council's history we are in-deed thankful. He truly in his lifetime earned the title "Illustrious Companion".
 
Climaxing 1952, a year of surprises and events, we find that on September 19th we received 14 resignations from Illustrious Companions residing in the Pottsville-Minersville area. Since it was their desire to Constitute a new Council. To be called Regal Council No. 65. Their requests were granted and Creigh Council gave them their blessing and assistance. The names of the Illustrious Companions, who by their zeal and enthusiasm, were the charter members of Regal Council No. 65 are as follows:
 

Guy S. Fenstermacher	Robert Peel	George R. Mason	Otto A. Snyder
Frank A. Jacobs	Cyrus R. Moore	Harvey B. Moyer	LaMar Bell
William I. Nelms	David Hopkins	G. Edgar Kline	William J. Hurley
Virgil C. Scott

 
The officers of Creigh Council were invited to confer the Super-Excellent Master Degree at the first Assembly of this new Council. The degree was conferred in a splendid manner and the members of the cast were complemented and praised for their rendition of that beautiful degree. It was indeed one of Creigh Council’s finest hours.
 
From the years of 1953 to 1957 we find the affairs of Creigh Council on an even keel and nothing of historical importance to be recorded. Illustrious Companion Reginald Woodward was appointed District Deputy Grand Master in 1954 serving to 1958. Creigh Council was again honored in 1958 by having Illustrious Companion Reginald E. Woodward elected to the position. of Grand Principal Conductor of the work. At the 1960 Grand Assembly of Grand Council we were again honored by having Illustrious Companion Reginald E. Woodward elevated to the position of Most Puissant Grand Master of Royal and Select Masters of Pennsylvania. Grand Master Woodward served Cryptic Masonry in a fine dignified manner and was held in high esteem by his fellow Grand Officers. The Council was also pleased to have recorded the appointment of Illustrious Companion Guy S. Fenstermacher to the position of District Deputy Grand Master. Illustrious Companion Fenstermacher was instrumental in the constituting of Regal Council No. 65 in 1952. This Illustrious Companion contributed a great deal to Cryptic Masonry and as a result he was honored by Grand Council in 1968 by elevating him to the station of Most Puissant Grand Master of Royal and Select Masters of PennsyIvania position and he served well and ably. After his term he would serve as Grand Treasurer of the Grand Council.
 
The year of 1963 was an important milestone in Creigh Council's history. it was in this year that all Blue Lodge and York Rite bodies moved from the Masonic Temple 125 North 5th Street, Reading to the Masonic Center Foundation, 300 South Seventh Avenue, West Reading. The membership of our Council was not entirely in accord with this venture. However, there was no choice in the matter and we moved leaving many pleasant memories of the old Masonic Temple we all liked so well.
 
From 1964 to 1969 our Council continued to function in a normal manner. The Illustrious Companions having adjusted themselves to the new building. Parking is no longer a problem. The Council Chamber is air-conditioned which is indeed a factor. The last milestone 1970 of the first Fifty years is about to be recorded in our history.
 
People make history. Hence in recording history we find names appearing and personalities mentioned. Therefore, in all good faith, we sincerely trust we have not omitted anything of great importance in recording this portion of Creigh Council's history. As we begin our second half century of service. Let us do so with pride of our accomplishments knowing that we have a proud heritage to look back upon. One has only to review the promises made by each of us to realize that the solemn rites of which we have been partakers and our parts in them are as binding on our consciences out of our Beloved Council as within it. They are truly links in life for eternity. In closing may Creigh Council No. 16 increase in Splendor and Greatness.
 
Special Thanks to the Following Contributors:
 
John G. Bachofer, PTIM
Franklin T. Shimer, PTIM
Daniel P. Berger, PTIM
Samuel W. Leinbach, PTIM

Last Updated: 2/9/2022

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