Lynden/Ferndale International Lodge No. 56

  The history of Lynden/Ferndale International Lodge No. 56 traces its origins back to 1888 when a group of 13 Masons in good standing, still under the territorial jurisdiction of Washington, sought to establish a Masonic presence in the area. Sponsored by Bellingham Bay Lodge No. 44, they petitioned the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons (F. & A.M.) of Washington on March 19, 1888, for letters of dispensation, which would allow them to operate as a formal lodge.

The lodge held its first meeting under dispensation on July 27, 1888, with Nels L. Weiberg serving as its inaugural Worshipful Master. The following year, on June 12, 1889, Lynden Lodge received its official charter, marking its full establishment. Between 1889 and 1901, the lodge met in the IOOF (Independent Order of Odd Fellows) hall in Lynden. However, in 1901, the lodge moved to a dedicated building on East Grover Street, which would serve as its home for nearly a century. 

By 1999, the lodge faced challenges with the building no longer meeting modern code requirements. As a result, the members relocated to the Laurel Grange Hall on Guide-Meridian Road, before eventually moving in 2002 to the Ferndale Masonic Hall on 3rd Avenue in downtown Ferndale, Washington, where they continue to meet today.

The lodge experienced several mergers in the 21st century, responding to membership changes. On December 31, 2010, Lynden Lodge consolidated with Kulshan International Lodge No. 186, forming the Lynden International Lodge No. 56. Later, on September 14, 2017, it merged with Ferndale Lodge 264, adopting the name Lynden/Ferndale International Lodge No. 56.

Two members of Lynden Lodge held Grand Lodge positions in the 2007/2008 Masonic year: Very Worshipful Brother John R. Sleeth served as Grand Musician, and Very Worshipful Brother Charles Cunningham held the position of Grand Tyler. These leadership roles further reflect the lodge's active involvement within the larger Masonic community in Washington State.

 The Hiram Award is presented to a Master Mason who has served the Lodge and the Masonic Fraternity with devotion over and above the ordinary. It is the highest honor, other than being Master of the Lodge, that can be bestowed on a member of a Masonic Lodge.

The award may be for service over a long period of time, or it may be for extraordinary service in a single year. The recipients of this award are listed to the right. 

 Hiram Award Recipients

Year Name 

1989T. "Milt" Weidkamp

1990Elbert S. Isom

1991Wm. Leland Dodson

1992Archie C. Crabtree

1993Philip Dorr

1994Kenneth I. Fredlund

1995Claude E. Yates

1996Gordon R. Grahame

1997Frank Juntunen 

 1998John R. Sleeth

2001Glenn G. Boodey

2004Gary E. Prowse

2007James E. Browne

2008Richard H. Decima

2009Richard J. Myhre

2010Jerry L. Mason Jr.

2015Gordon R. Grahame 

The Masonic Service Association (MSA) has announced that Lynden Lodge No. 56 was awarded the Mark Twain Award for 2009. This award was created by the MSA in 2006 to recognize "lodges that demonstrate energy, innovation and initiative in creating a positive Masonic identity in the community and extol the values of Freemasonry". Since creation of the Award, it has been granted to 11 lodges in 2006, 19 lodges in 2007 and 24 lodges in 2008. Up to 50 lodges may be selected in a single year. This marks the second year that Lynden Lodge has received this distinguished award.

Lynden Lodge based it's 2009 application on it's Education Projects, which include Scholarships for Senior students at Lynden and Meridian High Schools, it's Educator of the Year to an educator from the same two High Schools and its Bikes 4 Books Program, in whch 32 bikes were awarded at 7 schools and the Lynden Public Library.

Lynden Lodge received the Twain award again in 2010.