Above / Naperville artist Marianne Lisson-Kuhn addressed a gathering on Oct. 12, 2019, with brief remarks about the mural she painted for the Freemasons back in 2011. During her comments, she paid tribute to her mother, Rita Rott Lisson, who passed away earlier this year at age 95. Lisson-Kuhn expressed gratitude to her mother for teaching her to appreciate history that she expresses through her paintings as well as several Century Walk murals such as “Faith, Hope & Charity.”
Chartered October 2, 1849, Euclid Lodge No. 65 A. F. & A. M. has had a presence throughout downtown Naperville for 170 years, noted Paul Felstrup for the Freemasons during the recent celebration that began with a re-dedication of the Century Walk Masonic Mural “Faith, Hope & Charity.” Back in 2011, the mural was designed and painted by Naperville artist Marianne Lisson-Kuhn. Formerly gracing the wall at Main and Jefferson outside of Russell’s Dry Cleaners, the mural was relocated to the exterior wall near the intersection of Main Street at Jackson Avenue, on the south side of the Gap store, thanks to use from property owner Steve Rubin.
During the ceremony on a blustery cold afternoon, Century Walk President Brand Bobosky, Lisson-Kuhn and Felstrup provided a little history about the mural that includes the names of 12 famous American Masons on one side with a portrait of George Washington, and 12 well-known Naperville Masons on the other, including the likeness of city founder Joseph Naper. An 18-inch border painted to simulate wood and rope illustrates how Masons are tied together around the world.
‘The grand object of Masonry is to promote the happiness of the human race.’ —George Washington
Neville Diamond, the Worshipful Master of Euclid Lodge in 2011, came up with the idea for the Century Walk mural first unveiled later that year when Freemasons from Euclid Lodge No. 65 revealed a few of their secrets to the community during an open house that followed.
Six years later when plans surfaced to demolish the corner building owned by Russell Breitwieser and replace it with a new one, the mural was placed in safekeeping for nearly two years.
Last month Felstrup helped reset the “Faith, Hope & Charity” mural on the wall at its new location.
“We’re so secret,” said historian Timothy Ory, mindful that some folks think Freemasons are an international secret fraternity, “that we have our logo on the awning at the entrance and our meeting dates listed.”
During tours, Ory revealed some of the meaningful symbolism in the upstairs lodge found in photos, wall hangings, seating, and a mural on the ceiling that leads up to the Masonic All Seeing Eye. A wealth of information details the very close connection of the lodge with the rich history of Naperville that began in 1831.
In the top row of a framed photo of 25 Past Masters, Joseph Naper is pictured among fellow members with recognizable names such as Scott, Ellsworth, Wright, Royce, Strubler and Mather.
The ceiling mural, Ory explained, depicts the starry heavens with the Masonic All Seeing Eye as it watches from above. Jacob’s ladder with three angels in Freemasonry appears to represent Faith, Hope and Charity.
Throughout the lodge the letter “G” is prevalent. When integrated with the square and compass, in America the G stands for Geometry to remind Masons of the science that allows individuals “to build massive structures from simple drawings, determine seasons, fix the orbit of planets, and explain the universe.”
A Masonic Lodge confers the three masonic degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason. According to Ory, members found artwork rolled up that now has been restored and framed to grace the walls of the lodge to help tell their story in three sections.
A hand-carved wooden “Oriental Chair” built at Kroehler Manufacturing was given to the Masonic Lodge back in 1934 to honor the time when W.E. Houchton served as Master in 1933-34. The back of the chair is carved with Houchton’s name. The front of the handsome chair is carved with “Euclid No. 65 Lodge” and “Presented by D.L. Kroehler.” Delmar Kroehler owned the furniture factory at the time.
In recent years, the Freemasons in Naperville have been significant benefactors to Loaves & Fishes Community Services and the Naperville Riverwalk as well as to many other charities including Shriners’ Hospital, DuPage PADS, Chicago Honor Flight and Bridge Communities.
Ory explained that members need to have a belief in God. It doesn’t need to be a certain religion, he said, as long as individuals have a belief in a higher power.
Freemasonry is a fraternity; comprised of men from every race, religion, opinion, and background who are brought together as brothers to promote friendship, morality and brotherly love among members.
Men find a sense of community when they join the Freemasons.
For more information about the oldest Masonic Lodge in DuPage County, visit Euclid Lodge No. 65.
