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It was in the year 1870-71 when a number of Germantown men, with Isaac Thomas as their leader, formed a Masonic Club and named it the Morning Star Masonic Club. At the annual meeting of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania Free & Accepted Ancient York Rite Masons, with Bro. Lemuel Googins of Pittsburgh, PA as its Grand Master, the Morning Star Club made applications for a Charter which was granted to them with the number 55, there being at that time two Grand Lodges of Black Masons in Pennsylvania.
On December 17, 1882, the representatives of the two Grand Lodges held a meeting in Philadelphia and agreed to merge into one Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania (at that time there was another Morning Star Lodge in Pennsylvania with the No. 48). In the merging of the two Grand Lodges instructions by its first Grand Master, Bro. William H. Miller who lived at 731 Uber Street, Philadelphia, were the Morning Star Club Number 55 select another name, but keep the original number, which it did by choosing the name Star in the East Lodge No. 55 on that date.
After meeting in different rented halls for many years, this Lodge with Bro. Ross Grant as its Worshipful Master, took title to the property located at 79 East Sharpnack Street, Germantown, in 1934 and remodeled the building where meetings were held on the first and third Mondays of each month at 8PM, except the months of July and August. On April 1, 1940, the mortgage was paid off. In 1943 the first floor was made into one apartment, putting in a hot water system throughout the building. In the year 1945, Bro. William S. Carter, Worshipful Master, started a building fund to raise money.
In February, 1946, the J. Henry Sellars Senior Square Club was organized to assist in raising money toward the building fund. In the year 1948, Bro. Andrew Slater, being the Worshipful Master, and the Star in the East Lodge bought the adjoining three-story building at 81 East Sharpnack Street with a two-car garage. In December, 1949, Star in the East Lodge held its first banquet at the Rittenhouse Street YMCA. Bro. Emmanuel Johnson was Worshipful Master by then.
In the oratorical contest, sponsored by the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Star in the East Lodge, under the leadership of Bro. James W. Kelley, Worshipful Master, presented Miss Hariette Highsmith, a talented senior at Germantown High School and a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, to compete in the contest. Miss Highsmith won first prize.
In 1952, it was decided owing to the growth of the membership that more room was needed for Lodge meetings. Under the guidance of Bro. James W. Byrd, - Worshipful Master, a new building at 79 E. Sharpnack Street was being replaced with a new two-story cinder block building, with a red brick front. The foundation of this building was started by the members of the Lodge. Later, it was decided to employ the service of a more experienced builder. The contract for completing the work was given to Vernon Cunningham of Germantown. The three-story building at 81 East Sharpnack Street was converted into two apartments, with the help of the J. Henry Sellars Senior Square Club.
In 1968, Hubert J. Little, Worshipful Master, held a mortgage burning for 79 & 81 East Sharpnack Street at the Lodge Hall, with Grand Master Thomas S. Logan, Pastor William B. Toland of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church and Sisters of the adopted Rites Rebecca Chapter No. 51 and members of Star in the East Lodge. In 1969, Bro. Donald U. Dade, Worshipful Master, took upon himself to start a program to renovate the present structure with the help of many members donating pledges and working hard in all endeavors.
