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Elgin was host to a centuries- old tradition Nov. 26 as Freemasons from local Lodge No. 328 and the Grand Lodge of Texas performed a cornerstone leveling ceremony at the newly constructed Harvest Ridge Elementary School.
The ceremonial event, a nod to medieval craftsmanship and symbolic history, was led by Grand Master Tommy Chapman, dressed in traditional Masonic regalia.
“This is a beautiful edifice, beautiful building — a beautiful school — and we’re glad to be here today,” Chapman said before the official service began.
Leveling the stone The ceremony commenced with a prayer, seeking blessings for the school and the community it will serve.
As the actual cornerstone is already part of the school’s structure, a replacement stone was used for the event. Masonic leaders took turns performing their roles, using customary tools like the square, level and plumb to confirm the stone’s alignment.
Grand Master Chapman concluded the r itua l by dec laring the cornerstone “well f ormed, t r ue and trusty.” The stone was then dedicated with corn, wine and oil as representations of nourishment, refreshment and joy.
Grand Orator Chance Chapman elaborated on the significance of the event, describing the cornerstone’s placement in the northeast corner.
“It symbolizes progress from darkness to light, from ignorance to knowledge,” he said. “May this school stand ever tall among the citizens of this state and may the wisdom, strength and justice of all who occupy it distinguish this building and this community with paramount integrity, impeccable reputation and outstanding service.”
A tradition rooted in history The practice of leveling cornerstones is a storied one, connecting modern Freemasons with their medieval predecessors who constructed Europe’s grand cathedrals, according to the lodge.
“When we level this cornerstone for this school today, we will be performing a ceremony that is more than 300 years old,” the Grand Master said.
The tradit ion, he added, not only carries symbolic weight but also traces its roots to biblical references and historic events like George Washington leveling the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol in 1793.
These cornerstones, often rectangular and polished, are typically inscribed with details such as the structure’s purpose and construction date. Historically, many were hollowed out to contain small items of the era — early versions of modern time capsules.
The earliest cornerstone leveled in Texas dates to 1838, at the first Protestant church in San Augustine. Since then, hundreds have marked courthouses, schools and places of worship across the state.
A legacy in Elgin
The new elementary school’s cornerstone was crafted by Phipps Memorial in Waco and paid for by the Freemasons. It joins a growing list of cornerstones across Elgin, with about eight placed in recent years.
The next ceremony is expected at the downtown Elgin Police Depa r tment bui lding expansion.
Freemasons only perform these ceremonies by invitation, continuing the age-old tradition of marking new beginnings with reverence and precision, according to the lodge.
