Founding and Early Years

In July 1800, Abraham's Lodge was convened and dedicated under a dispensation issued by the Grand Lodge of Virginia. This lodge played a pivotal role in organizing the Grand Lodge of Kentucky on September 8th of that year in Frankfort. On October 17, 1800, the lodge received its official charter as Solomon’s Lodge No. 5 under the newly formed Grand Lodge of Kentucky. The other founding lodges were Lexington No. 1, Paris No. 2, Georgetown No. 3, and Hiram No. 4.

Formation of Abraham Lodge No. 8

On December 21, 1801, a lodge was organized in Middletown, Kentucky, under a dispensation granted by the Most Worshipful James Morrison to James Taylor, Master, Phillip Barbour, Senior Warden, and Samuel N. Luckett, Junior Warden. On April 6, 1802, the dispensation was returned, and the Grand Lodge ordered the issuance of a charter as Abraham Lodge No. 8. The lodge quickly became an integral part of the community, attracting many notable members over the years.

Notable Members and Contributions

Since its founding, Abraham Lodge No. 8 has been home to many distinguished Kentuckians. General George Rogers Clark, an American Revolutionary War hero and founder of Louisville, was among its early members. Henry Pirtle, author of The Kentucky Monitor and The Lost Word of Freemasonry, also played a significant role in the lodge's history. The lodge has contributed to both the Masonic community and the local area, supporting various charitable activities and civic events.

“Mother Eight” and Its Legacy

"Mother Eight," as Abraham Lodge No. 8 is affectionately known, is the oldest continuously existing lodge constituted by the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. While other early lodges either did not act on their charters or merged with other Grand Lodges, Abraham Lodge has maintained its charter and traditions. On April 4, 1803, the lodge was authorized to move to Louisville, Kentucky, marking a new chapter in its history.

Historic Visits and Milestones

On May 11, 1825, at a joint assembly of Abraham Lodge and Clark Lodge, the lodge welcomed its Illustrious Brother, General Marquis de Lafayette, 33rd Degree, a hero of the American Revolution, who was received in the East of the lodge. On the Feast Day of St. John the Evangelist in 1886, Clark Lodge No. 51, Mount Mariah Lodge No. 106, and the Lodge of Antiquity No. 113 were consolidated under the name Abraham Lodge. This occasion was celebrated with a "smoker" on December 21st and a grand banquet on December 27, 1901, marking the lodge’s one-hundredth Annual Communication.

Continuing Tradition and Influence

Abraham Lodge No. 8 continues to be a cornerstone of Freemasonry in Kentucky, honoring its rich traditions while adapting to the needs of modern members. The lodge is known for its commitment to Masonic education, and traditional observance to the craft. It has influenced the formation of other lodges in the region and remains a respected institution within the Grand Lodge of Kentucky.