POULSBO — The Warren G. Harding Masonic Lodge No. 260 isn’t going anywhere.

Despite beginning to act in 2012 on plans to build a new lodge on Rude Road, just outside Poulsbo, the lodge will remain in the building it’s occupied for 95 years — and will continue to do so for the time being.

In 2012, the North Kitsap Herald reported that the lodge had purchased new land, installed fencing, held a blessing ceremony, and had plans to clear the grounds for construction. Recently, lodge leader Mark Brooks said the lodge changed plans and will not be moving.

Brooks declined the Herald’s requests for more information, saying he and the lodge would not comment on the issue.

In an earlier interview, though, Brooks suggested that moving is not off the table entirely and the lodge may move sometime in the future, but to a location within Poulsbo’s city limits.

The lodge has occupied the third floor of the 1907 retail building facing Front Street — near where it curves and becomes Hostmark Street — since the lodge’s inception. It became a lodge in August 1923, two days after the death of President Warren G. Harding, and the lodge was named in honor of the chief executive and fellow Mason.

Among the original 18 members of the lodge were Poulsbo Mayor Otto K. Strizek; Paul Paulson, who would become mayor the next year; and past, present or future City Council members Alf Hostmark, Elmer Borgen, Elias J. Eliason, Melvin A. Borge, and Andrew Fosse.

The lodge purchased the building from the Kitsap County Co-Operative Association in 1960. The lodge sold the building in 2004 due to the anticipated costs of renovation and, for the time in 81 years.

The lodge awards scholarships and supports a host of activities, such as youth sailing programs, school bands, and Viking Fest.