Scenes From Our 275th Anniversary Week Celebration

The Portsmouth Masonic Temple decorated for the 275th

The Portsmouth Masonic Temple decorated for the 275th Anniversary

The Portsmouth Masonic Temple decorated for the 275th Anniversary

The Portsmouth Masonic Temple decorated for the 275th Anniversary

First District Officers Degree Team and St. John’s Officers with newly made EA Jonathan Nichols (third from left; first row). Jonathan received all three degrees during St. John’s Anniversary Week.

St. John’s members prepare to administer the second section of the Master Mason’s Degree

Jonathan Nichols, St. John’s newest Master Mason is congratulated by his father at the conclusion of the Master Mason Degree

MW Paul M. Leary, Grand Lodge of NH, presents Master Mason materials to Jonathan Nichols

Women’s Choral Group “Voices Of The Heart” perform during the 275th Anniversary Banquet

Women’s Choral Group “Voices Of The Heart” perform during the 275th Anniversary Banquet

Lobsters being prepared for the Saturday evening Clam Bake

Those attending Saturday night’s clambake await the Lobster, “Steamer’s” , Corn-on-the-cob”, Potato, and “Hot Dogs” all steamed in the “Clam bake pit”!

Sunday Morning coffee in the auditorium before the march to St. John’s Church

Grand Lodge of NH Officers readying for the parade

Members of the York Rite Knights Templar Commandery in “full dress uniform”

Sunday Morning coffee in the auditorium before the march to St. John’s Church

Shriners assemble with St. John’s Banner to lead off the 275th Anniversary parade

Members of General Sullivan Lodge No.2, Epping NH, who came to participate in the St. John’s 275th Anniversary Parade

Officers of the Grand Lodge of N.H. and members of local N.H. lodges line-up on Miller Ave. for the Parade to St. John’s Church

Ancient Order of Hibernians Pipe and Drums of Manchester leads the parade

The St. John’s 275th Anniversary parade prepares to “step off.”

Shriners lead the parade onto Middle Street with the St. John’s banner

Representatives from New Hampshire’s lodges march on Middle Street

Members of St. John’s Lodge No.1 made up the “end” of the parade

Members of St. John’s Lodge No. 1

M.W. Paul M. Leary, Grand Master N.H (left); R.W. Dan Stolworthy, Master St. John’s Lodge No. 1, (center) and M.W. Philip W. Morton, Grand Lodge V.T.

Knights Templar Commandery leads the Parade down State Street

Members of St. John’s Lodge No. 1 on State Street

The procession continues on State Street

The procession continues on State Street

Turning up Chapel Street towards St. John’s Church

Arriving at St. John’s church on Chapel Street

Lining Chapel Street to await entry into St. John’s Church

M.W. Paul M. Leary, Grand Master N.H (left); R.W. Dan Stolworthy, Master St. John’s Lodge No. 1, (center) and M.W. Philip W. Morton, Grand Lodge V.T. prepare to enter St. John’s Church

The Grand Masters of N.H, and V.T., Master of St. John’s Lodge, and the members of St. John’s Lodge No.1 are escorted into St. John’s Church

The Grand Masters of N.H, and V.T., Master of St. John’s Lodge, and the members of St. John’s Lodge No.1 are escorted into St. John’s Church

Masons begin to fill St. John’s Church

Masons begin to fill St. John’s Church

Members of St. John’s Lodge are greeted by Rev. Robert E. Stevens, Rector of St. John’s Church

A “full house” for St. John’s Sunday

A “full house” for St. John’s Sunday

A “full house” for St. John’s Sunday

A “full house” for St. John’s Sunday

The Service at St. John’s Church

The service at St. John’s Church

During the service, R.W. Dan Stolworthy, Master of St. John’s Lodge No. 1, spoke to the close and historic ties between St. John’s Church and St. John’s Lodge No. 1.

Near the end of the service R.W. Dan Stolworthy presented Rev. Stevens with a check for $1,275 to help with the preservation of the church’s historical records

The closing of Services at St. John’s Church

The return march to the Portsmouth Masonic Temple begins

The return march to the Portsmouth Masonic Temple begins

The return parade enters Portsmouth’s Market Square

Passing Market Square’s North Church

Passing Market Square’s North Church

The return march from St. John’s Church through Market Square

The return march through Market Square

Return march through Market Square

The “turn” back towards Middle Street and The Portsmouth Masonic Temple

The final “leg” of the return march

The “last leg” of the return march

The “last leg” of the return march

Arrival back at the Masonic Temple

The close and salute

The close and salute

Goodbyes and farewells bring the parade and the 275th Celebration week to a close

One last cup of coffee among the “hard core” before heading home

With special Thanks to Brothers Bill Sawyer (left, St. John’s Lodge No. 1) and P.T. Sullivan (right, St. James Lodge No. 102) who donated many of the pictures appearing in this section