The following education program was presented by Tom Lewis, Education Officer, on June 3, 2025.

James Cash (JC) Penney

James Cash (JC) Penney was born September 16, 1875, on a farm outside of Hami[ton, Missouri, and passed away February 12, 1971. After graduating from high schoot, he attended col.lege with the hope of becoming a lawyer. His father’s untimely death forced him to work as a store clerk and paved the way for his venture into retail stores. The first stores were ca[[ed “Golden Rule ” stores and proved to be the way he chose to live the rest of his tife. By 1930 JC Penney had amassed over 1400 stores across the country.
After relinquishing the daity operating management of the company, he continued to be active in managing the company. He knew and worked with many famous businessmen throughout his tife. These include the Thomas Watson, the founder of IBM; Norman Vincent Peate, minister and inspirational speaker and even trained a young man by the name of Sam Walton during a visit to a store in Des Moines, Iowa.
His large income allowed him to be involved in many philanthropic causes during his life but being a Freemason brought him the greatest joy which he openty expressed by proudty wearing a large Masonic ring. He was initiated into Wasatch Lodge No. 1 of Utah, on April 18, 1911. He became a 33rd degree Mason in both Scottish and York Rites and received a Distinguished Service Award as a Royal Arch Mason in 1958.
Have you ever heard of JC Penney Lodges? Is it a Lodge composed of JC Penney employees? Or is it a Lodge room inside a JC Penney store? The answer to both questions is no, but there seems to be a strong relationship between the JC Penney Company and Masonic Lodges in parts of the United States. lt was common for new Lodges to be constructed with the intent of having a JC Penney store move into the buitding upon its comptetion. Many Lodges met above retail offices that were on the ground ftoor. lt may have been that JC Penney tiked to ptace his stores with Lodges because of the armonious beliefs of both parties, such as being fair, upright and acting on the square and tiving by the Gotden Ru[e. White there is and stitl is no rule that Lodges meet on an upper ftoor, it is common for Lodges to do so. The earliest modern-ear Lodges met in or above taverns, pubs or ale-houses.
So, the next time you are traveting the roads of America, keep an eye out for current or former Masonic buildings. When you find one in the ctassic model with the Lodge upstairs, take note of what is on the street levet. It may have more history than you think!

Resources: Wikipedia, Wasatch Lodge #1 of Utah, Minnesota Masonic Heritage Center