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Most Worshipful
Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio -
History 1900 thru 1949
by Antonio
O. Caffey, PM #7
As a new
century approached, the Brethren of The
Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge
of Ohio began building on the foundation
that was already laid. A history of the
Grand Lodge was written by P.G.M.
William Parham and P.G.M. Jermiah Brown
and published in 1906. There were 44
active lodges in the Jurisdiction of
Ohio, with a total membership of 1,173.
At the 55th annual communication of the
Grand Lodge, M.W. William E. Clemens
presided. In his annual address he
stressed the need for Masons to have a
knowledge of their work. He also
commented on the "marked improvement
with almost every lodge of our
Jurisdiction." The Grand Lodge had
firmly established itself as a leader in
Freemasonry.
The Grand Lodge organized many Lodges
during the first part of the 20th
century. Between the years of 1903 and
1904, five new lodges were organized.
The Grand Lodge was invited to lay the
cornerstone of the Carnegie Library at
Wilberforce University. Wor. Bro.
Charles E. Nichols, Worshipful Master of
Wilberforce Lodge No. 21 officiated.
During the Grand communication in 1905,
it was reported that Grand Master
Clemens requested the Grand Secretary to
forward a sum of money, to the Grand
Lodge of Massachusetts. This money was
used to purchase a floral tribute and
laid at the grave of Prince Hall.
According to Charles Wesley, in sending
the sum, the Grand Secretary, W. H.
Buckner stated, "Prince Hall builded
wiser than he knew and today at every
alter of Negro Masons, his memory is
held in bonds of love, honor and
esteem."
As of June 24, 1906, there were 47
lodges with a total membership of 1,269
masons. During the 57 Grand
communication, Grand Master Clemens
commented that " while there were
well-equipped lodge rooms, there was not
one that reported the owning of a lodge
hall of its own." He also stated that ,
"many lodges could own their own halls,
and it would be more credit to them if
they could own not only the lodge rooms
but also their own halls."
The Grand Lodge was always concerned
with providing financial assistance to
its members. A proposal was made in 1908
to create an endowment fund for the
benefit of widows and orphans. The Grand
Lodge also adopted a child and became
the guardian of Gertrude Louisa
Venerable, paying for her expenses while
she was living with her grandparents.
Of the significant undertakings that the
Grand Lodge proceeded with during this
time period, was its fight against
clandestine Masonry in Ohio. During its
62nd Annual Communication, the Grand
Lodge passed the following resolution:
"Whereas, the territory of this Masonic
Jurisdiction is being frequently invaded
by impostors peddling spurious Masonry,
conferring the degrees and organizing
Masonic bodies without legal warrant of
authority and,
"Whereas these fraudulent acts by
irresponsible parties have a tendency to
retard the growth of legitimate Masonry,
of which this Grand Lodge is the
exponent, therefore be it,
"Resolved that this Grand Lodge forbids
the display of the jewels, or use of the
due guards, signs and passwords
recognized by this Grand Lodge before
any organization or individual claiming
to be Masons not in fraternal relation
with this Grand Lodge."
Bro. Wesley remarked that this was one
of the first complete recommendations
concerning clandestine Masonry by the
Grand Lodge of Ohio.
In 1912, the total number of
African-American Masons in Ohio was
1,654. Also in 1912, during the Grand
Communication, W.W. Cordell recommended
that a standardized ritual be made for
the Past Master's degree.
When Grand Master Cory Adams was elected
to the Grand East, he placed an emphasis
on the use of a single ritual. He also
was concerned with Masonic education,
and its impact on the Fraternity. He
stated that "There is a mistaken idea by
many of the Brethren of today that, so
long as we meet, transact business, pay
dues and authorize the wearing of a
Masonic pin, we are Masons and are
conducting a Masonic Lodge." During Bro.
Adams administration, he advocated the
creation of Masonic Schools of
instruction. The first of these schools
were held on November 18, 1913 by St.
Mark's Lodge No. 7.
As a Jurisdiction, we started moving
closer to conforming with the "Accepted"
Ancient Landmarks and charges. Lodges
were urged to observe St. John's Day. It
was stressed by Grand Master John C.
Logan that no candidate should be passed
or raised unless he made necessary
proficiency in the proceeding degree.
Financial stability and uniformity was
also stressed during this time period.
Recommendations were made to the Grand
Lodge that they adopt a unified
bookkeeping system, that will be used by
all of the subordinate Lodges. The
position of district Grand Lecturer was
also created during this time, in the
Jurisdiction.
In 1923, the Grand Lodge purchased a
home for elderly and disabled brethren
of this Jurisdiction. This Masonic home
was located at Urbana, Ohio on 25 acres
of land. Once again an emphasis was
placed on caring for our ill and aged.
The Order of the Eastern Star also
provided the linens and blankets for the
home. The Grand Lodge officially
incorporated the name of Prince Hall
into its title.
During the 76th Grand Communication, a
resolution was passed to invite the
Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern
Star, to hold their Grand Communication
with the Grand Lodge. This action
brought the two bodies closer together.
Going along with the Grand Lodges idea
of building our own temples, the
brethren of St. Mark's No. 7 erected
their own Masonic Temple. Grand Master
Frank A. B. Hall attended the dedication
of this edifice in 1928. This was the
first newly constructed Masonic Temple
in Ohio during this time period.
During the great depression of the 30s,
there was a substantial decrease in
membership. Even though times were hard,
the Grand Lodge still continued to meet
in its annual sessions. The Grand Master
ordered that all Brothers who were
suspended because of non-payment of
dues, may be reinstated for a fee of
$2.20.
Bro. Harry E. Davis of Excelsior Lodge
No. 11 with the Grand Master's
permission, began communicating with
Brethren across seas. He sent
information relative to Prince Hall
Freemasonry's legitimacy to Brothers in
Norway, Denmark and London.
The 40s saw the world involved in a
world war. Showing its support of
America's effort, the Grand Lodge urged
all subordinate lodges to purchase war
bonds. Organizations were encouraged by
the Office of the Defense
Transportation, to postponed all
conventions and limit travel.
Accordingly, the Grand Communication of
1943 was canceled, with only the
Trustees meeting to conduct business.
Under the recommendations of the
International Conference of Grand
Masters and Grand Secretaries in 1944,
Grand Lodges were urged to change their
names to Most Worshipful Prince Hall
Grand Lodge F. & A. M. of (State)...
This was desired because The Prince Hall
Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was so
named. Prior to this name change, Grand
Lodges were using "Prince Hall
Affiliation." Grand Master John Wesley
Dobbs of Georgia stated that this was
too similar to the titles of bogus
bodies such as "Prince Hall Origin" and
"Prince Hall Descent." It was also
recommended by this body that F. & A. M.
be used. According to Charles Wesley,
this was due to the fact African Lodge
No. 459 was warranted F. & A. M. and the
Grand Lodge of England which granted
this warrant was also F. & A. M.
Again, because of the war, the Grand
Lodge met in a special session in 1945
on the Campus of Central State College
in Wilberforce, Ohio. This began a long
tradition of meeting on this
predominately Black campus.
In 1945, the Order of Pythagorans were
established. This youth organization
provided a positive outlet for youth in
the communities throughout Ohio. Another
development was the Prince Hall Masonic
Bulletin. This newspaper was published
monthly and kept Brothers and Sisters
around Ohio informed of Masonic events.
The year of 1949, saw the Grand Lodge
celebrate 100 years of existence.
Through brotherly love, relief and
truth, The Most Worshipful Prince Hall
Grand Lodge of Ohio has managed to add
on to its legacy. The men who made that
trip to St. Cyprian Lodge No. 13, in
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, and became
Masons, would have been proud of where
their Grand Lodge stood during this
time. |
