About the Lodge
A history rooted in stone — a fellowship rooted in spirit.
One of the Older Lodges in South Texas
The History of Atascosa Lodge No. 379
Atascosa Lodge No. 379 traces its origins to 1872, when eleven Master Masons gathered in the small community of Benton City to form a new lodge dedicated to fellowship, moral improvement, and service to their neighbors.
Their efforts were soon recognized by the Grand Lodge of Texas, which granted the lodge its official charter on June 9, 1873. In those early years, the brethren constructed a stone lodge hall in 1876, a sturdy building that served not only as their meeting place but also as a public school, reflecting the lodge's commitment to education and civic life.
As the region grew and communities shifted toward new centers of activity, the lodge made a significant transition. On May 20, 1909, Atascosa Lodge No. 379 relocated from Benton City to the developing railroad town of Lytle, Texas. This move positioned the lodge at the heart of a thriving community and allowed it to continue its mission of leadership and service in a rapidly changing era.
Throughout its long history, Atascosa Lodge No. 379 has been recognized for providing social and cultural leadership to the people of Atascosa County and the surrounding area. Generations of Masons have contributed to the welfare of their community, upheld the principles of the Craft, and preserved the traditions entrusted to them since the lodge's founding.
Today, the lodge stands at 19004 Somerset Road in Lytle, where it continues to serve as a place of fellowship, charity, and Masonic light. Its legacy, rooted in education, community service, and brotherhood, remains a testament to the dedication of the many brethren who have passed through its doors since 1872.
Marks of Our History
Eleven Brethren in Benton City
Eleven Master Masons gather in the community of Benton City to form a new lodge dedicated to fellowship, moral improvement, and service to their neighbors.
The Charter is Granted
On June 9, 1873, the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F. & A.M. grants Atascosa Lodge its official charter — formally constituting it among the lodges of Texas.
The Stone Lodge Hall is Built
The brethren construct a stone lodge hall in Benton City — a sturdy building serving both as the lodge's meeting place and as a public school for the community's children.
Relocation to Lytle
On May 20, 1909, the lodge relocates from Benton City to the developing railroad town of Lytle, positioning itself at the heart of a growing community.
The Work Continues
From the lodge hall at 19004 Somerset Road in Lytle, Atascosa Lodge No. 379 gathers her brethren on the first Tuesday of each month — the labor goes on, faithfully, as it has since 1872.
The Lodge's Legacy
The legacy of Atascosa Lodge No. 379 is one of steadfast service, brotherhood, and dedication to the betterment of its community. Since its founding in 1872, the lodge has stood as a guiding presence in Atascosa County, shaping the moral and civic character of the region through education, charity, and leadership.
Generations of Masons have carried forward the principles of the Craft with humility and purpose, ensuring that the lodge remains a place where good men come together to improve themselves and the world around them.
This enduring commitment to fellowship and service continues to define the lodge today — honoring the work of the brethren who came before, while inspiring those who will follow in their footsteps.
Service to the Community
Service to others is at the heart of what we do. Atascosa Lodge No. 379 supports the people of Atascosa County year-round through programs that focus on education, youth development, public health, civic recognition, and honoring those who serve. Below are the programs we are most proud of — and the stories behind them.
Fantastic Teeth Program
Bright smiles for first graders across Atascosa County
Each year, Atascosa Lodge No. 379 partners with local elementary schools to provide every first grader with a complete dental care kit — toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and educational materials about good oral hygiene habits.
The Fantastic Teeth Program is part of a long-standing Masonic initiative in Texas, recognizing that early dental health is foundational to a child's overall well-being and confidence. For many children, the kit we provide is their first introduction to a real dental routine. Lodge members visit classrooms personally, demonstrate proper brushing technique, and answer questions — turning a simple toothbrush into a moment of connection between the Lodge and the next generation.
Impact: Hundreds of kits distributed annually to first-grade classrooms in our service area.
Annual Student Awards
Supporting graduating seniors on their next chapter
Atascosa Lodge No. 379 presents Student Awards each year to graduating high school seniors in our community who are pursuing higher education. These awards help offset the cost of college, trade school, or other post-secondary programs — giving deserving students a stronger start on their path.
Applicants are evaluated on academic achievement, community involvement, character, and demonstrated commitment to their future. Recipients are recognized at a public presentation, with their families and school administrators invited to celebrate the achievement.
Our Student Awards program is a direct reflection of the Lodge's roots — when the original lodge building in Benton City served as both a Masonic hall and the community's public schoolhouse. More than 150 years later, supporting education remains a defining commitment of this Lodge.
Roy Edwards Honor & Integrity Award
Recognizing character and moral leadership in our youth
Named for a respected past member of the Lodge, the Roy Edwards Honor and Integrity Award recognizes high school juniors who exemplify the very qualities Freemasonry holds dearest: honesty, integrity, personal responsibility, and respect for others.
Recipients are nominated by their teachers and school counselors — not for grades or athletic achievement, but for the quiet, consistent demonstration of strong character. The Lodge believes that recognizing young people for who they are, not just what they accomplish, encourages a culture of integrity that ripples outward through schools, families, and the broader community.
The award is presented annually at a Lodge-hosted ceremony, with each recipient receiving a commemorative medallion and certificate. Many former recipients have gone on to become community leaders themselves — a legacy Roy Edwards would be proud of.
Annual School Supply Drive
Filling backpacks, stocking classrooms, easing the burden
The cost of school supplies has risen steadily, and for many families in Atascosa County, the start of each school year brings real financial pressure. Atascosa Lodge No. 379 organizes an annual School Supply Drive each summer to gather backpacks, notebooks, pencils, crayons, scissors, glue, and other essentials.
Supplies are distributed to local schools and to families directly, with no questions asked. The Lodge accepts both monetary donations and physical supplies from community members and local businesses, multiplying the reach of every contribution. Teachers across our service area receive classroom supplies as well — because we know how often educators reach into their own pockets to make sure every student has what they need.
How to help: Donations are accepted throughout the summer. Contact the Lodge through our Contact page to arrange a drop-off or contribution.
First Responders Breakfast
A community thank-you to those who serve in the hardest moments
Each year, the Lodge hosts a free breakfast for the firefighters, police officers, sheriff's deputies, EMTs, paramedics, and emergency dispatchers who keep our community safe. Members of the Lodge prepare and serve the meal personally — a small gesture for people who routinely put themselves between us and disaster.
The breakfast is also an opportunity for first responders, their families, and the public to meet, share stories, and build the kind of relationships that make a community stronger. Local agencies are invited to bring equipment for display — a draw for kids and a way for residents to learn what these professionals do every day.
We don't make speeches at the First Responders Breakfast. We just feed people, shake hands, and say thank you. That's the point.
Community Builder Award
Honoring those who make Atascosa County a better place
The Community Builder Award is the Lodge's highest public recognition. It is presented to individuals — Masons or not — who have demonstrated exceptional civic leadership and made a lasting, meaningful difference in the lives of others throughout Atascosa County.
Past recipients have included teachers who shaped generations of students, volunteers who built up local nonprofits, business owners who anchored their neighborhoods through hard times, and quiet servants whose work touched countless lives without ever seeking attention. The award is the Lodge's way of saying: we see you, and what you've done matters.
Nominations may come from any member of the public. The Lodge believes that recognizing community service publicly encourages more of it — and that the people who build a community deserve to be known.
Every program above is funded through member dues, voluntary donations, and the time and labor of Lodge members. None of our charitable work would be possible without the continued generosity of our brethren, their families, and the surrounding community. If you'd like to support, volunteer, or partner with us on any of these efforts, we'd love to hear from you.
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