Virtus Junxit Mors Non Separabit
Trenton Lodge No. 8 was granted the authority to work under Dispensation on March 14, 1854, and the Charter was granted January 11, 1855, the Lodge being dedicated on January 16, 1855. The three officers who were appointed to work under Dispensation were: Harry Sanders, Worshipful Master, N. C. Alvord, Senior Warden, and James I. David, junior Warden. One of the peculiar things and certainly very interesting, is the fact that James I. David was not a Master Mason at the time of this appointment, but was made a Master Mason on March 24, 1854.
Trenton Lodge No. 8 was given a number of a defunct Lodge near Jackson called St. John's Lodge. The Grand Lodge presenting the Charter, jewels and other things to Trenton Lodge No. 8 in January of 1855. According to Grand Lodge proceedings another Lodge at Jackson may have used the number for a short time but not with authority.
Until 1856 the Lodge met above Duddleson's store. In March, 1856, they rented a hall above Jaquith's store. The same hall was used by the Oddfellows. They continued meeting there until June, 1863, when they purchased Hudson's store, which stood on the lot now owned by Brother Aaron Simmons. They met at this hall until March, 1868, when that building was destroyed by fire. Then they rented Saunder's Hall, which stood on the southeast corner of St. Joseph and Front Street, where the Edison Office now stands. In 1869 they built a new building on this site at the cost of $2,200.00, the old building was moved to another location and is now known as the Trenton Inn. The new building was dedicated December 27, 1869. The cornerstone was laid June 1, 1869, by Bro. Alex McIlhenny acting as Grand Master. This building was occupied until April 7, 1920, when the Lodge was moved into the present Temple.
