Masonic Lodge Building

Duane's take

Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Now, picture this. Somewhere in Lavaca County, there's a building that has lived more than one life.

Not a lot of buildings can say that. This one can. The story goes back to a man named David Kokernot.

He built this place. And then, in 1889, he moved it. The whole thing.

Picked it up and moved it to the very site where it stands today. Now, the marker doesn't linger on the how of that, and neither will I. Let's just say moving a building in 1889 was not a casual Tuesday afternoon errand, and leave it at that.

Kokernot didn't just move it, though. He gave it away. Handed it over to two outfits at once: the Methodist church and the Masonic Lodge.

Two very different kinds of gatherings sharing one roof. Under that roof, the very first local Sunday School was held. First one.

Right there in that building. That's not nothing. That is a community finding its footing.

The Methodist church made use of the place for years, until 1914, when the church was relocated. The Masons, however, stayed put. And in time, the entire hall came to be owned by the Masons alone.

One builder. One move. One gift.

And a building that's been standing its ground ever since.

What the marker says

Moved to this site, 1889, by David Kokernot, the builder. Given to Methodist church and Masonic Lodge. First local Sunday School was held here. In 1914 church was relocated. Entire hall is now owned by Masons. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1967