Chartered on October 6, 1846 by the Grand Lodge of Illinois, Olive Branch Lodge #38 A.F. & A.M., is a Masonic Lodge in Danville, Illinois. The Lodge meets the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m. The Lodge meets in the Blue Room of the historic Danville Masonic Temple, located at 109 W. North Street, Danville, Illinois.
In 2007, March 25th was recognized as National Medal of Honor Day. Every year since, it has been the official day honoring service members of the U.S. military who’ve demonstrated actions of valor that inspire generations and the nation.
In keeping with this tradition, we once again share with you a bit about John Charles and William Perkins Black. These two brothers from Danville volunteered and fought in the Civil War, joined Olive Branch Lodge 38 after the War, had long and distinguished careers as attorneys and in public service, and eventually became the first pair of brothers to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery in combat during the War.
Here is a link to a website with a collection of documents and photos concerning the brothers.
http://www.blackbrotherscollection.com/index.html
William Perkins Black 1862
John Charles Black 1862
DANVILLE, IL, December 16, 2025- Olive Branch Lodge 38 installed its officer for 2026 on Tuesday December 16, 2025, at the Danville Masonic on North Street. Here are some pictures.
DANVILLE, IL, November 19, 2025- Members of Olive Branch 38 Masonic Lodge presented donation checks to representatives of Rose’s Food for the Children and Fair Hope Children’s Ministry, at their meeting Tuesday November 18, 2025. The checks to each organization were from lodge funds and matching grants from the Illinois Masonic Children’s Assistance Program or IMCAP, a charity of the Grand Lodge of Illinois which is Olive Branch’s parent body. The checks totaled $1000 for each organization. Jerry Askren, the Treasurer of the lodge said, “Olive Branch has supported each of these groups for several years and is blessed to be able to help them fill needs that are critical in the community right now.”
Rose’s Food for the Children provides weekend meals for food insecure elementary and middle school aged children during the school year. In 2024, they provided weekly meals for nearly five hundred Danville children who might not otherwise get meals. The lodge’s donations will help them purchase the food needed for the program.
Fair Hope Children’s Ministry provides clothing for children, newborn to 18 years of age, referred to them by pastors, case workers, nurses, doctors, and school social workers. In 2024, they served nearly two thousand children. The lodge donations will help them with the purchase of clothing, especially winter clothing.
IMCAP partners with local Masonic lodges to serve children and young adults in their communities. Over the last few years, IMCAP has worked through Masonic Lodges in Vermilion County to award several thousand dollars in grants to help children. From help with winter clothing for those in need, to help providing Wi-Fi internet access to students, to help with construction costs for ADA bathrooms at a summer camp for youth with disabilities and more, Illinois Masonic Children’s Assistance Program grants have enabled the Masons of Vermilion County to help hundreds of children in our local communities.
Olive Branch Lodge No. 38 is a local unit of the Fraternity of Freemasons whose members support each other in their efforts to improve themselves and their communities. For more information about Freemasonry or the lodge, email the lodge at olivebranch38@gmail.com.
Members of Olive Branch Masonic Lodge, present checks to Chris Lucas of Rose’s Food for the Children. Front row, left to right: James Peplow, Bob Gill, Chris Lucas, Wayne Scarlett, and Bill. Middle Row, l to r: Bob Gill, Bill Lucas, Brian Pettice, Ron Vadeboncoeur, and Tom Church (all Olive Branch). Back row, l to r: Jason Shaffer, Mike Williams, Dyke Rothenberger, and Jerry Askren (all Olive Branch).
Members of Olive Branch Masonic Lodge, present checks to representatives of Fair Hope Children’s Ministry. Front row, left to right: James Peplow and Bob Gill (both Olive Branch), Karel Volpert, Dick Brazda, Paula Meece, Oliva Humphreys, and Debbie Krilcich (all Fair Hope Children’s Ministry), and Bill Lucas (Olive Branch). Middle Row, l to r: Jack Jones, Jason Shaffer and Jerry Askren (All Olive Branch) Back row, l to r: Ron VadeBonCoeur, Dyke Rothenberger, Wayne Scarlett, and Brian Pettice (all Olive Branch).
