Harmonie Lodge, keeping in mind all of which that name implies - a combination of sounds pleasing to the ear - was well known for its Octet singing at the beginning of the 20^th century.  Vocal music being quite popular, some members of Harmonie Lodge also belonged to “Buffalo Orpheus”, that famous German singing society which featured their splendid rendition of “Gott Gruese Dich”.  Brother Fritz Erfling was the organist, director and choir master of Buffalo Orpheus for many years.

Not until the year 1914, did Harmonie Lodge change from using German to English.  This modernization opened the Lodge’s doors to many non-German speaking sons and relatives, giving them that opportunity to ask for Masonic membership petitions, and increasing our roster membership to nearly 475 Masons.

The 50-year Golden Jubilee was celebrated in 1920, beginning on Sunday, June 13^th.  Worshipful Master Frederick Woelfinger, officers and members, first attended Divine worship at St. Paul's United Evangelical Church.  The address and sermon were given by Reverend Christian G. Haas, who was also the Chaplain of our Lodge.  Reflecting over the past years, he stated, “Good has been our past, as were the material and spiritual accomplishments.  We also know we have not attained perfection in our daily life.  There is always work waiting for our Brethren, for a continued desire to be faithful to mankind.”  Monday, June 14th, Brothers and their wives attended dinner, entertainment, and dancing at the Ellicott Club.  Many notable Masonic dignitaries of various Lodges and concordant bodies were invited.  They expressed their charitable views of Harmonie Lodge’s first 50 years in the Masonic field.  On Wednesday, June 16^th, a regular communication for members and their Masonic friends was held, wherein W:. Frederick Woelfinger presented the history and formation of Harmonie Lodge.

A significant cornerstone laying was that of the Ismailia Temple Mosque in 1965. This cornerstone was laid with the same working tools used for the laying of the cornerstone at our Nation's Capital Building. Many of the Harmonie Lodge brethren took part in this ceremony.

Our Lodge was granted the special privilege by the officers of the Liberty Bank, to hold our 100 year anniversary Lodge meeting on December 3, 1969, at the site of our first meeting; the afore-mentioned Liberty Building in downtown Buffalo.  At this meeting, Charles W. Weiftheimer was elected Worshipful Master, together with the officers for 1970.

In keeping with the tradition of marking important Lodge anniversaries, a Gala Banquet at the Ismailia Shrine Mosque was held to celebrate our Centennial.  We were honored by an address by Most Worshipful Grand Master William R. Knapp.  W:. Donald R. Coe, introduced many Masonic notables while warmly serving as Toastmaster.

Because of the changing community and the reconstruction of our inner city, the Masonic Temple in Buffalo was razed in 1971.  Today, it is the site of the New York State Family Court building of Erie County.  When it became necessary to vacate the Temple property, the equity of each owning body was prorated and then paid to each owning body of the Temple.  After which, Harmonie Lodge rented lodge room space from Ancient Landmark Temple at 318 Pearl Street for two years, and, in 1973 took up Lodge room rental of Depew Masonic Temple.  In September 1994 a move was again made, to Sweet Home Temple in Eggertsville, New York, which is the home of Harmonie Lodge No. 699 today.

R:.W:. Joseph E. Smeller, Jr. served Harmonie Lodge as Worshipful Master in 1975 and 1976, as Secretary, was appointed Grand Sword Bearer 1996; and elected President of the Masonic Service Bureau, Inc. in 1988. He was also a Charter Member of the Western New York Lodge of Research, where he served as Master in 1988.

A special tribute should be made to W:. Alois Altendorfer who served as Master of the Lodge for a record 11 one-year terms in office. Through his dedication Harmonie continues to this day.

After 97 years of a relative absence of inter-Lodge social intercourse, a “German Night” was re-introduced to Erie County lodges in 1979. It was aimed primarily to embrace all Lodges, reminding all Masons of the rich German culture which influenced the three Erie districts.  Modestia Lodge No. 340 was selected as the host for the first meeting, as being a part of that Lodge’s 125^th Anniversary celebration held at Sweet Home Masonic Temple on April 23, 1979.  A special German dinner was served at 6:30 PM, followed by the opening of Lodge at 7:30 PM for a special communication and a welcoming address by R:.W:. Carl A. Luther.  After which was given choral solos and concert by the Buffalo Zither Society, and the special event was concluded with an hour of harmonious Masonic fellowship.

Leroy H. Lieder was elected Worshipful Master in May 1994 and immediately put our 125th Anniversary program into effect.  November 9, 1994, which date closely coincided with our dispensation date, was chosen for a stated communication and champagne dinner.  This was held at Sweet Home Masonic Temple with Bro. William C. Schugardt as chairman.  Gary W. Neureuter was chosen as Toastmaster in keeping with historical precedent.

Harmonie Lodge invited the brethren of Eggertsville Lodge No. 1157, Cheektowaga Lodge No. 1163, and Concordia Lodge No. 143 as our guests for this event.  It is important to note that our sister-Lodge, Modestia No. 340, had previously merged with Concordia Lodge No. 143.  This was a Masonic event highlighting the interconnection between these four lodges.  On this occasion three Dewitt Clinton Awards and one Douglas MacArthur award were presented to non-Masons.

The 125^th anniversary dinner was the traditional German Dinner, with remarks made by the four Masters and our District Deputy Grand Master, Griffith Jones III.  It was an evening enjoyed by over 200 Masons in attendance, who joined with us to celebrate this landmark in the history of Harmonie Lodge.

Many professional, business and dedicated workmen of our Lodge have contributed in no small measure to the growth of our fine City of Buffalo.  So unquestionably the great lesson our Brethren have learned is in the true meaning and sanctity of the 133rd Psalm: “Behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in Unity.”  In the Spirit of those Brethren who led the way, through the last century, we sha1l continue that work for still higher and nobler achievements for the future.

Shortly after the celebration of our 125th Anniversary in 1995, there was a new vigor within our ranks.  Many lodges were already merging, with different combinations put together.  Cheektowaga Lodge No. 1163 was merged into Hiram Lodge No. 105; Grand Island Lodge No. 1138 merged with Eggertsville Lodge No. 1157; Modestia No. 340 was merged into Concordia No. 143.

In many cases the brothers did not feel the strong bond to their new body. Slowly many recognized the unique character of the brothers of Harmonie and began to ask for affiliation in our Lodge. A great number were impressed with our friendliness and our new venue of meeting from April through the summer into the first meeting of December. We were most pleased to share our heritage with the new members. Our new members, who joined through affiliation, became totally involved in the promotion and government of our Lodge. We began to get new candidates to join our Lodge.

Our most important event at the time was our Dewitt Clinton and MacArthur Awards night. We have invited several lodges as guests and we have given these awards to Buffalo’s outstanding non-Masonic citizens over several years. The times since our 125th Anniversary have been extremely fruitful for our Lodge. Our finances and administration have been outstanding.

Our 130th Commemoration was arranged for August 29, 2000 at the Airport Raddison Hotel. The Grand Master, Most Worshipful Carl J. Smith, was our special guest for this most memorable occasion. W:. William J. Ernst was again chosen by the Master to chair the festivities. Many of the Grand Master’s staff were in attendance as well. The brothers of Harmonie considered this an event without recent comparison. In October, we again invited the same group of Lodges as our guests to enjoy the social intercourse of the 130th Anniversary. These were Eggertsville Lodge No. 1157 and Concordia Lodge No. 143. We added Hiram Lodge No. 105 as it now has in its ranks many of the members of Cheektowaga No. 1163 after said previous merger. The date was again near our charter date of 1870. The traditional German Dinner was served and Dewitt Clinton and Douglas MacArthur awards were presented.

III.        Harmonie Lodge in the 21^st Century

The beginning of the 3^rd Millennium has seen a world-wide resurgence of interest in Freemasonry. Much of this can be attributed to popular culture’s recent fascination with our Craft. Books such as Dan Brown’s DaVinci Code and Solomon Key; high profile articles in U.S. News & World Report and the New York Times; movies such as National Treasure; History Channel documentaries; an explosion of Masonic websites; and even the Simpson’s Stone Cutters parody have fueled this resurgence.

Harmonie Lodge has benefited greatly from this exposure and has seen an up swell in young, enthusiastic, new members. These neophytes are often the grandchildren of Masons and the children of that generation of men who decided that Masonry was not the hip thing to join. Thus, we have brought back into the fold many family lines nearly lost to Masonry. With this breath of fresh air Harmonie has overcome the demographic problems still plaguing most Lodges throughout the United States.

We owe a great debt to the old guard of past masters, DSAs, and sideliners who carried the Lodge through the lean years of the late 20^th century and into the new millennium.  Their institutional knowledge and wizened leadership brought fiscal responsibility to the Lodge in the first few years of the 21^st century and helped pass the torch to a new generation of leaders. The years 2003 to 2008 saw an explosion of worthy and well-qualified young men petitioning Harmonie Lodge. These enthusiastic new brethren have been drawn from a diverse set of professional backgrounds including: students, teachers, doctors, lawyers, soldiers, salesmen, businessmen, bartenders, waiters, computer techs, project managers, security guards, municipal employees, and even a professional wrestler. This proliferation in young talent has also brought about an increase in Masons affiliating from other Lodges.

A common thread among out new brethren is their voracious quest for knowledge. These curious life long learners have access to information that the previous generations of Masons could not even dream of. Masonic websites offer the most ancient medieval manuscripts to the most recent articles on the Craft – and all at the click of a mouse. With this access to knowledge Harmonie has had a renaissance of learning and a new focus on Masonic history and philosophy.

In 2004, R:. W:. James M. Kipler was appointed Grand Sword Bearer of the 1^st Erie District. He served in this capacity from 2004 to 2006. R:. W:. Bro. Kipler is a famous musician, who is well-known for his excellence in ritual work, his commitment to veterans, and Masonic fellowship. He has been an inspiration to our newest members by his commitment to leading by example.

In the spring of 2004, Grand Master Edward R. Trosin, put out a call for Lodges to get back to presenting lectures and papers on famous Freemasons, Masonic history and philosophy. Bro. J. C. Litwin took up the call and resurrected the lost art of the Lodge program. Since that time Bro. Litwin has presented lectures and seminars on topics such as “Introduction to Masonic History, Philosophy, and Symbolism,” “Masonic Presidents of the United States,” “Ely Parker: Masonic Warrior in Two Camps,” “Famous Masonic Native Americans of Western New York,” “The Jurisprudence of John Marshall,” “Freemasonry in Mexico,” “The Morgan Affair,” “Symbolism of the 1^st Degree Tracing Board,” “Symbolism of the 2^nd Degree Tracing Board,” “Symbolism of the 3^rd Degree Tracing Board,” “Papers, Presentations, and Primary Sources,” and “The Principle of Equality in Freemasonry.” These programs have led to a host of new members researching and presenting their own educational programs.

In 2005, V:. W:. Ronald J. Keel was appointed Assistant Grand Lecturer of the 1^st Erie District. He was well known throughout WNY for his knowledge of Masonic ritual and stellar Middle Chamber Lecture. V:. W:. Bro. Keel had been sought after for may years to be a Grand Lodge officer and finally decided that it was his time to more widely spread his knowledge. When V:. W:.  Ronald J. Keel was untimely called to the Great Architect of the Universe on December 31, 2005 the brethren of Harmonie Lodge were deeply affected by his loss. On January 11, 2006 they established the Ronald J. Keel Fellowcraft Club to honor his memory.

The Ronald J. Keel Fellowcraft Club affords new members the opportunity to learn, socialize and work together in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. It is the only pan-Lodge Fellowcraft Club in Erie County. The Club is dedicated to the three pillars of charity, education, and fellowship. From 2006 - 2008, proceeds from its pool tournaments and pasta dinner & auctions have helped support disabled veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; the Shriners Hospital for Children in Erie, PA; Hospice of WNY; and the Ward A. Peterson Benevolence Fund. The Club’s educational courses foster a free and open exchange of ideas and cover topics such as Masonic history, philosophy, symbolism, and jurisprudence; featuring Lodge-walkabouts, tracing board lectures, and intensive seminars. Its fellowship events include an annual trap shooting event, annual picnic, as well as social outings to the Buffalo and Erie Historical Society, US Navy Sea-Bees Memorial, and the Queen-City Roller Girls to name a few.

The founders of the Ronald J. Keel Fellowcraft Club were Bro. J. C. Litwin, Bro. John P. Balk, and Bro. Frederick G. Clark, II. The first set of officers and chairman of the Club were:

President:                      Bro. John P. Balk

Vice-President:              Bro. Walter D. Kolt

Treasurer:                      Bro. Willard A. Genrich, III

Secretary:                      Bro. J. C. Litwin

Charity Committee Chair:          Bro. Frederick G. Clark, II

Education Committee Chair:      R:. W:. Ward A. Peterson.                   

It should be noted that Bro. Balk displayed tremendous leadership in his two terms as president. The Club continues to grow and has attracted members from four separate Masonic Lodges. It has turned into the proving ground for Lodge leadership, by thoroughly cultivating the potential of each of its members.

In the spring of 2006, R:. W:. John L. Leszak was appointed Grand Director of Ceremonies for the 1^st Erie District by Grand Master Neil I. Bidnick. In his position R:. W:. Bro. Leszak spearheaded educational efforts from 2006 to 2008 throughout Erie County. He is well known for his leadership in Freemasonry and its concordant bodies.

In September of 2006 the Lodge celebrated the 225^th Anniversary of the founding of the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of the State of New York. R:. W:. James Kipler presided over the Lodge rededication ceremony, in which the brethren renewed their obligations to the Craft.

Past Master W:. Gerard E. Schultz was installed in June of 2007 and had an ambitious trestle board. The year was full of rich educational programs, important charity work, and a renewed commitment to fun and fellowship. The 3^rd Degree was performed by the brethren Harmonie Lodge in its entirety for the first time in recent memory. Bro. J. Litwin sat in the East, next to M:. W:. Edward G. Gilbert, then Deputy Grand Master. It was a memorable night when R:. W:. John L. Leszak raised his son, Bro. John Andrew Leszak. On November 28, 2007, Bro. Nathan Shoff presented one of the finest scholarly works in modern Freemasonry, “The Ancient Landmarks: Our Indefinite Boundaries.” And in the spring of 2008, Bro. John P. Balk gave a lecture on the “Lesser Known Masonic Founding Fathers.”

In June of 2008, R:. W:. Henry Zip Lang retired as Lodge Secretary after many years of dedicated service. It was chiefly through his investment strategies that Harmonie Lodge has remained fiscally solvent to this day. He is a past Grand Steward of the 1^st Erie District and is well-known for his charitable works and knowledge of the Craft.

On June 11, 2008, W:. J. C. Litwin was installed as the first master of Harmonie Lodge to be raised in the 21^st century. W:. Bro. Litwin has distinguished himself with degree work, Masonic scholarship, a commitment to charity, the recruitment and education of new brethren, and the propagation of enjoyable social events. He has been at the forefront of modernization efforts and the introduction of new technologies. In December of 2007, W:. Bro. Litwin unveiled Harmonie’s first web page and in 2008 modernized the position of organist with digital orchestral music. He and Secretary Schultz have moved from paper reporting to an on-line data base. And a “2020 Committee” was founded to provide strategic planning for the future of the Lodge.

The most ambitious trestleboard to date was unveiled in June of 2008, with traditional favorites such as German Table Lodge and Ladies Night. The Lodge picnic was a big success, due chiefly to the work of Bro. Frederick G. Clark, President of the Fellowcraft Club. The Club took over both the financing and operation of the picnic. On June 25^th, W:. Bro. Litwin gave a lecture on the “47^th Problem of Euclid,” and a “1^st Degree Tracing Board” lecture on September 10^th. On October 8^th, Bro. Frederick Clark gave a speech entitled “The Life & Times of Bro. Harry Houdini,” On October 22^nd, Bro. Daniel Dinatale gave a lecture on “The Lost Symbol of Masonry,” and on November 26^th Bro. Shoff presented a paper entitled, “Hiram Abiff: the Man & Myth.” The Brethren of Harmonie 699 believe that "every Lodge should be a Lodge of Research."

In 2008, Harmonie initiated six members, raised four master masons, and affiliated three brothers from other Lodges. And 2009 has so far proved to be another great year for Harmonie Lodge No. 699!