From Saint-Domingue to New Orleans

Origins in Saint-Domingue

Perseverance Lodge No. 4 was originally organized in 1806 at Jérémie, Saint-Domingue (present-day Haiti), under a charter issued by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
During the uprisings in Saint-Domingue, the Lodge emigrated to Santiago de Cuba, where it remained during 1807 and 1808.

Arrival in New Orleans

In the latter part of 1808, the Lodge established itself in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1810, it received a new charter from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania under the designation No. 118.

In 1812, Perseverance Lodge became one of the five founding lodges that constituted the present Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana and received its current designation as No. 4.

Annexations and Consolidations

Amis Remmis Lodge No. 6 and Trimosphes Lodge, which were organized in 1829 and 1833 respectively, were later annexed to Perseverance Lodge.

Foyer Macommique Lodge No. 44, chartered on October 6, 1838, consolidated with Perseverance No. 4 in September 1879.

The Historic Temple

During its early days in New Orleans, Perseverance Lodge met in the temple of Etoile Polaire Lodge. On May 25, 1819, it acquired from the City of New Orleans the location at St. Claude and Dumaine Streets.

The building was completed on April 1, 1820, with no major modifications except the addition of some outbuildings and changes to the fences.

The building remained in use for its original purpose until it was sold to the City of New Orleans on November 10, 1970, during the redevelopment of the Tremé area that would later become associated with Armstrong Park.

Landmark Recognition

For many years, the Grand Lodge of Louisiana used this temple for its meetings. It is recognized as one of the oldest surviving Masonic temple buildings in Louisiana.

The building was later restored and became associated with the section now known as Armstrong Park. It was designated a landmark of the City of New Orleans by the Louisiana Landmark Society on August 22, 1965.

Germania Hall and the Modern Era

While preparations were being made to purchase property to build a new lodge, Perseverance Lodge No. 4 met in the temple of Germania Lodge No. 46 from January 28, 1971 to December 12, 1974.

The Lodge then moved to its new temple located at 232 Industrial Avenue in Jefferson, Louisiana.

The temple at 232 Industrial Avenue was sold on October 18, 1996 due to financial problems, primarily upkeep and maintenance. Perseverance Lodge moved back to Germania Hall No. 46, located at 4415 Bienville Avenue in New Orleans, Louisiana, on November 1, 1996.