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Robertson Fellowcraft Team disbands
after 65 years of Raising brethren

By Archie Davis

Edward Eiborg, M.S.A., left and Ross Thompson, M.S.A., right display the Robertson Fellowcraft 50th Anniversary banner that will be displayed in the Cleveland Masonic Library. The banner was presented to the Team by Denison Lodge in commemoration of their 50 years of service in 1988.

After 65 years in existence, the Robertson Fellowcraft Team is disbanding; many of our brethren are wondering why are we taking this step.

Over the past several years, we have been losing quite a number of our faithful members through death and sickness. We have tried several ways to try and attract new members but with no luck and, as you can see, we are getting up in age and each year it is becoming harder to floor a full team.

I can’t give you the number of candidates we have raised, but several years ago I was told it was over six hundred and we have raised quite a few since then.

We have had some great times over the years visiting lodges in Ohio and out of the state....and those members who were on our two trips to Scottish lodges have some great memories.

I often wonder when John Robertson formed this team if he visualized it going for so many years. We wish it could go on but I guess it is a sign of the times. Without enough members we have been fighting a losing battle.

I think I speak for the whole team when I say we had a sense of pride every time we marched into a lodge. I don’t think there will ever be another team quite like it again. The members of the team are saddened to see it come to an end after so many years. As many of you know, the team was started by the old Denison Lodge (now Quarry Lodge). They always sponsored us when we went out of state or overseas and I think, in a way, they looked upon us as their team.

The oldest member of our team was Pete Buchanan, our Junior Steward who was with the team since it’s beginning and missed few meetings. He was a dedicated 50 year mason, and nobody could give the Bible presentation as well as Pete. Pete died last June.

In closing, the Robertson Fellowcraft Team would like to give a big thank you to all the lodges who over the years made us welcome. We will miss our visitations. We still have a few old timers with the team and without their dedication over the years, we might not have lasted as long as we have.