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Fayette Lodge No. 69 in Ellington Rebuilds After Suspected Arson, Emphasizes Community Service
Summary
Fayette Lodge No. 69, a Freemason lodge on Orchard Street in Ellington, discussed its 200-year history, membership and charitable activities and its recovery after a suspected arson; a GoFundMe raised almost about $20,000, and the lodge is hosting events and blood drives as it resumes programming.
Laurie Burstein, identifying herself as "for Selectmen of Ellington," interviewed Ray Chouinard of Fayette Lodge No. 69 about the lodge’s history, community work and recovery after a fire investigators later treated as arson.
Chouinard said Fayette Lodge has occupied its Orchard Street property since 1948 and was chartered in 1825. "We've actually been physically there since 1948," he said, and he traced the lodge’s earlier meetings to local taverns and other venues in Ellington.
The lodge emphasizes local philanthropy. Chouinard described regular food drives (rotating between Ellington Human Services, Cornerstone in Rockville and the Crystal Lake Food Pantry) and an annual schedule of blood drives; he listed one already held in January and two planned drives on March 29 and May 31. "We definitely love giving back to our community," he said.
Chouinard also described membership and program structures: local lodges report to the Grand Lodge of Connecticut, and he serves as district deputy for District 9B. Men 18 and older may petition to join a lodge; interested residents should contact Fayette Lodge to begin the petition process.
Laurie and Chouinard addressed a major disruption to the lodge: a fire on New Year’s Eve 2023 that he said was later determined to be arson. A Channel 3 Eyewitness News report quoted police as saying they "believe the fire was started intentionally." Chouinard said a neighbor observed the blaze and called it in, and the lodge organized recovery support, including a GoFundMe that "was able to raise almost about $20,000," which Chouinard said helped cover insurance deductibles and rebuilding costs.
The lodge marked its bicentennial with a large celebration last year and has since rebuilt and resumed events. Chouinard highlighted affiliated organizations—Shriners, Tall Cedars of Lebanon (Nutmeg Forest 116) and local youth groups such as DeMolay and Rainbow Girls—and noted the Tall Cedars’ historical role with the Manchester road race.
Chouinard invited residents to connect via the lodge’s Facebook page (facebook.com/fayettelodge60nine) and listed upcoming local events referenced during the interview: a Polar Plunge at Crystal Lake on Feb. 28 and an Ellington Earth Day celebration on April 25; he also said an America 250 observance will be held Oct. 3 to better involve schools.
The interview closed with thanks from Burstein and Chouinard, who said the lodge is "back up and running" and continuing its community activities.
