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On July 2nd, 1929, R:.W:. Paul S. Chavanas, District Deputy Grand Master of the 10th Masonic District of Manhattan, assembled the Charter Members for ”The First Greek Lodge in the United States” in order to establish them as a duly instituted lodge, designated as Parthenon Lodge U.D. The Lodge worked under dispensation until April 15th, 1930. It received its Charter as Parthenon Lodge No. 1101, on June 18th, 1930, in the Grand Lodge Room, at Masonic Hall, 71 W. 23rd Street, New York, N.Y., and was rededicated on 03/10/1937. From its institution in July 1929 to its constitution in April 1930, Parthenon Lodge No. 1101 had already raised thirty brothers to the sublime degree of Master Mason. Indeed, this thriving Lodge was renowned for its ritual work during the 1930’s and the 1940’s, with noted ritualists and speakers.

During the first 20 years of its existence, the Lodge contributed greatly to Greek causes. During the Second World War, it not only supported the United States War Effort by investing heavily in War Bonds and supported the Red Cross U.S. War Relief, sending cigarettes to servicemen, it also contributed thousands of dollars to the Greek War Relief Fund, to the underprivileged children of Greece, and to the relief of Greek Masons. It held joint dinner dances with Abravanel Lodge No. 1116 to raise funds for these contributions to Greece and to the Building Fund of the Grand Lodge of Greece, to replace its Grand Lodge Building which was destroyed by the Nazis. Twice, Archbishop Athenagoras, a brother, who later was elevated as his All Holiness, The Ecumenical Patriarch, Athenagoras I, personally thanked Parthenon Lodge No. 1101 for its contributions to Greek charities and to the Library of the Greek Theological Seminary. The Lodge received additional thanks for its contributions from M:.W:. Phylatos Papageorge, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Greece. Parthenon Lodge No. 1101 was also a contributor to the two Greek Parochial Schools in the New York City area, The Greek American Institute and The Cathedral, as well as, ST. Basil’s Academy, the Greek orphanage in upstate New York. 

In addition to its close association with Abravanel Lodge, Parthenon Lodge No. 1101 developed a close relationship with Parthenon-University Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, since many of its members and their wives were members of the Chapter. On January 19th, 1949, a few Parthenon Lodge Brethren formed the Hellenic Lodge and donated to it its first bible.    

In its 93-year history, Parthenon Lodge No. 1101 was honored by having twelve of its members commissioned as Right Worshipfuls, beginning with R:.W:. M.B. Petrides, who was appointed Grand Steward in May 1934. Four Members (including an affiliate), were also appointed District Deputy Grand Master. Among the notables received by Parthenon Lodge during its 70 years of existence were, in addition to the M:.W:. Howard E. Cruse, P:.G:.M:. of Grand Lodge of New Jersey, who delivered the Third Degree’s Historical Lecture on 11/09/1929, the first time the Lodge conferred the Degree, the R:.W:.Right Honorable, The Earl of Catogan, D:.G:.M:. of the United Grand Lodge of England and M:.W:. Alexander Tzazopoulos G:.M:. of the Grand Lodge of Greece, who was received jointly in the 1970’s by Hellenic Plato Lodge No.1129; and who was bestowed with honorary membership in Parthenon Lodge No. 1101 and in Hellenic Plato No.1129. 

From 1929 to the 1980’s, the Lodge continued to meet at the Masonic Hall at 71 W. 23rd Street New York, N.Y. (in the small Jacobean room when it was first instituted, and then to the large Renaissance room in 1944, when the Lodge was growing rapidly). The meeting date was also changed several times to meet the needs of its members: from the second and fourth Saturday to the second and Fourth Tuesday, to the First and Third Wednesday. 

Unfortunately, since the 1980’s, poor attendance at the Lodge has caused it to change its meeting place six times. First, to the Masonic Temple in Floral Park, then to the Advance Temple in Long Island City, New York, then back to the Renaissance Room in Manhattan, then Masonic Hall in Bellmore, N.Y., followed by Valley Stream Temple in Valley Stream, N.Y., and back to the Advance Temple in Long Island City, New York. Starting September 2022, Parthenon Lodge 1101 meets at the Masonic Hall at 71 W. 23rd Street New York, New York.