Nelson King

NATIONAL MASONIC HOME, HISTORIC NOTES
By Past Grand Master Raciel Martinez Andreu
Translated by Leon Zeldis, FPS

On July 12, 1886, a group of persons that included Masons gathered at the invitation of Jaime Noguera, and decided to establish a private shelter for paupers to be called "La Misericordia" (Mercy), locating the office in the same asylum, at numbers three and five, Buenos Aires street, in the neighborhood now known as Cerro Municipality.

The first Regulations state the objective of the newborn institution:

First Release human beings from the poverty that compels them to beg, deprives them from home and leads them to vice.

Second Provide comfortable shelter to the inmates, decent clothing and plentiful and healthy food.

Third Provide also spiritual and medical assistance.

Fourth Encourage the inmates to abandon their vices, to mend their ways, giving them proper instruction and providing them with occupation according to their aptitudes, within and without the establishment.

"All individuals will be admitted, provided they are at least twenty years old, without distinction of race, sex or age, who are in need of public charity in order to survive, even if as a result of vice; therefore, all those lacking a home, who sleep or stay in doorways, squares and parks, who stay overnight in a municipal building and those referred by competent authority."

A heavy burden was to be assumed by the founders, led by Jaime Noguera Rosés, who put forward the idea, the funds and the work to establish and operate the shelter under such difficult conditions, and for this he is deserving of our gratitude, admiration and respect.

In the first decade of the 20th century, Worshipful Brother Enrique Llansó Simoni and some other Masons came and joined the management. The economic situation of the Republic in its first years was precarious, and this was naturally reflected in the "Misericordia" shelter. It incurred debts, the owners of the building wanted to tear it down and sell the land. The shelter was in desperate financial straits for many years.

In July of 1917 a new Board of Directors was formed, entirely consisting of Masons, presided by W. B. Enrique Llansó Simoni with the collaboration of the following Brethren:

W. B. Enrique Varela Cárdenas, First Vice-President
W. B. Luis M. Sabater del Pozo, Second Vice-President
W. B. José M. Estapó Pagés, Accountant
W. B. Pablo Yodú Hernández, Treasurer
W. B. Antonio Conejo Caro, Secretary

And the following Directors: W. Brethren: Antonio de la Piedra González, Antonio Ruíz Rodríguez, Francisco Sánchez Curbelo, Gerardo Betancourt, Aurelio Silvera, Juan de la Cruz Alsina, Aurelio Miranda Alvarez, Fernando Fuigueredo Socarrás, José Escandell Pujol, Federico de la Paz, Félix V. Preval, José Luis Hevia, Federico S. Gispert, Lisardo Muñoz Sanudo, Pompilio Escobar, Erasmo Regueiferos Boudet, Calixto Fajardo Roselló, Carlos Francisco M. Fernández, José Santiago, Antonio Escandell Moré, Daniel Gispert, José Escadell Moré, Pericles Sorís de la Torre, Miguel González Ferrer, Antonio Hidalgo, Tomás Frías, Gregorio Menéndez, Gregorio Alonso, José Couriel, Celestino Suárez, Dionisio Peón Cuesta, Ciro Nestre Boltá, Hermenegildo Landa Varela, Ramón Garganta Puig, Francisco de Paula Rodríguez y Valdés, Andrés Avelino Orta.
Administrator: Calixto Fajardo Roselló.

The first problem facing the new directors was the building of the "La Misericordia" shelter, which did not fill the conditions required for its normal development, apart from the fact that rental for several months had not been paid, and the owners wanted to tear down the building to sell the land making a profit. The new directors headed by W. B. Llansó decided to find the solution by reorganizing the shelter and building more suitable premises. They bought several acres of land on kilometer 9 of the Bejucal road, and on February 8 the new "La Misericordia" shelter was opened. Several small houses were built in the 50's to accommodate married couples.

In the course of its history, thousands of persons found refuge in the shelter, including some who had been wealthy in previous times, such as Remigio López, eminent Cuban Mason who had been owner of tobacco factories in Tampa and Cayo Hueso and who lived and died in the shelter. "La Misericordia" became home for the widows of the unforgettable brothers Calixto Fajardo and Miguel de la Torre. Also the mother of the famous Cuban pitcher José de la Caridad Méndez, known as the Black Diamond, lived in the shelter until her death.

Worshipful Brothers Martín Herrera and José Dolores Poyo, friends and collaborators of José Martí, were connected with the shelter as Directors.

A night school for workers and a day school for children, as well as a Yoga school, operated at the shelter.

After the death of Illustrious Past Grand Master Enrique Llansó Simoni, on Tuesday, July 5, 1932, the name of the shelter was changed from "La Misericordia" to "Lansó National Masonic Home".

At present, the home has capacity to house 90 Masons or members of their family. Furthermore, in the cemetery of Arroyo Naranjo municipality, where the Home is located, a Pantheon has been built exclusively for inmates whose family requests it.

Cuban lodges support the home the best they can by sending donations. Grand Lodges in amity also send donations in cash and medicines,* contributing to maintain this institution which is the pride of Cuban Masonry yesterday, today and always