On the 26th of October, 1948, Master Masons in the Yokohama area petitioned for, and received, a dispensation from the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines to form, open, and hold a Masonic Lodge. The officers therein named were: Brother Herbert Wolff, Worshipful Master; Brother Herbert Lee Ellison, Senior Warden; and Brother Abraham Jacobson, Junior Warden. Far East Lodge U. D. opened and held meetings under this dispensation until the 31st of December, 1948, at which time the Lodge submitted to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Philippines all records, forms, and transactions of the Lodge activities, together with a petition praying for a charter.
On the 26th of January, 1949, Far East Lodge U. D. was granted charter number 124, thereby becoming another Masonic Lodge legally constituted and chartered under the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Philippines. Consecration ceremonies were conducted by officers of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Philippines on the 17th of March, 1949, and the following officers installed:
Brother Abraham Jacobson | Worshipful Master |
Brother Herbert Lee Ellison | Senior Warden |
Brother Elmer O. Hinman | Junior Warden |
Brother Richard B. Eldridge | Treasurer |
Brother William J. Eichorn | Secretary |
On the 16th of March, 1957, the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Japan was formed. With the formation of the Grand Lodge of Japan, Far East Lodge No. 124 returned the charter under which it had been working to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Philippines, and was issued a charter by the newly formed Grand Lodge of Japan. Far East Lodge No. 124, under the jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Philippines, thus became, on the 16th day of March, 1957, Far East Lodge No. 1, under the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Japan. Elective officers of Far East Lodge No. 1 in 1957 were as follows:
Brother Nohea O. A. Peck | Worshipful Master |
Brother William P. Connors | Senior Warden |
Brother John A. Alford | Junior Warden |
Brother Henry C. Racicot | Treasurer |
Brother Lawrence G. Kaye | Secretary |