St. John’s Masonic lodge in Peru installs officers

Steven J. Brown of Ladd assumed the top job of Worshipful Master, as St. John’s Lodge No. 13 Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Peru held its 184th annual installation of officers during an open ceremony on Saturday at the Peru Masonic Center.

Brown, who was installed by Area Deputy Grand Master for the Northern Area, Richard Spahn of DeKalb, takes over from Benny L. Nooks of Princeton, who served the previous two one-year terms as Master. Nooks leaves some big shoes to fill, as St. John’s earned two statewide awards for membership growth and a 2024 Silver Grand Master’s Award of Excellence honor during his tenure. The lodge also awarded $4,000 in scholarships to local students over those two years.

Elected to serve St. John’s Lodge for the upcoming 2025 year, along with Brown, are Eric M. Lynch of Peru as Senior Warden; Raymond W. Miller, Sr. of La Salle as Junior Warden; Lucas W. Matson of Ottawa as Treasurer; and Larry E. Lawson of Princeton as Secretary.

Officers appointed by Brown for the 2025 year are: Jeffrey L. Glade of Mendota, Senior Deacon; Scott E. Heyob of La Salle, Junior Deacon; Eric T. Mrowicki of Oglesby, Senior Steward; Jacob Erickson of La Salle, Junior Steward; Alexander J. Zarka of La Salle, Chaplain; Richard Brown of Peru, Marshal; and Gary E. Olson of Peru, Tyler.

St. John’s Lodge No. 13 is one of the oldest continuously operating organizations in La Salle County, established on Oct. 4, 1842, and meeting in the same location on Fourth Street in Peru since 1896. For more information on Masons in Illinois, or to consider applying for membership, check out www.ilmason.org.