The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Jurisdiction, Commonwealth of the Bahamas; Charter Dated February 27 th , 1950. Whose Lineage hails from: The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Jurisdiction, The State of New York; Charter Date, March of 1848,Whose Lineage hails from: The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Jurisdiction, The State of Massachusetts; Whose Lineage hails from: African Grand Lodge Charter date, June 24 th , 1808, via African Lodge No. 459, Charter dated: 29th September, 1784 A.D., 5784 A.L. THE GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND (Moderns via African Lodge #1, under Dispensation July 3 rd , 1776, via Irsh Military Lodge #441, March 6 th , 1775 Prince Hall and 14 other were made
The following Lodges were issued Charters by The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Jurisdiction of the State of New York, within the Commonwealth of the Bahamas between 1898 and 1949,.
It must be noted that The Pride of Eleuthera was recently chartered in 1949: thereby satisfying the criteria for the establishment of a Grand Lodge, in the Jurisdiction of the Bahamas.
At the Annual Grand Communication of Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of New York, on 3rd June, 1949 in Jamestown New York. Worshipful Master, James Ernald Morley of Royal Eagle Lodge No. 45 singularly and successfully petitioned for the establishment of a Grand Lodge in the Jurisdiction of the Bahamas. The request was favorably and unanimously accepted.
February 23 rd 1950 a delegation left New York via train for Miami. The delegation consisted of Grand Master Louis Fair, R.W. Henry A Rhodes Grand Secretary, R.W. James R. Cole Grand lecturer, James McFarlin D.D.G.M First District, R.W. Edward Buffong and Worshipful Master Joseph Dyer of Mt. Olive Lodge No. 2 and his wife.
The delegation arrived in the Bahamas Friday the 24 th of February 1950. They were met by a large delegation at the airport led by W.M. James Morley. The group was warmly received and hosted like royalties for the duration of their time in the Bahamas. Grand Master Fair was hosted at the home of Dr. and Mrs. C.H. Knight on Virginia Street. On that night the group was guests at a welcome dance held at the Zanzibar night club.
The historic meeting for the election of officers and establishment of the Grand lodge was held Monday night February 27 th . The meeting was held in the Improved Benevolent Protective Order, Elks of the World building. It was opened and presided over by the District Deputy Grand Master William W. Thompson of the seventh district, with representation from the four lodges present. Grand Master Fair and his delegation were later received and the meeting was declared open in Ample form. There were remarks followed by a lecture on Prince Hall Masonry by GM Fair. Afterward the Grand Master proceeded to hold election of officers. Elections were held and the first cabinet of Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Jurisdiction of the Bahamas on Monday 27th February, 1950 was elected and installed as follows.
Tuesday 28 th 1950 the delegation paid a courtesy call on the Governor, Sir Richard Sandford at Government house. Later that evening they attended a party in aid of the Red Cross at attorney T. Augustus Toote beach home.
Wednesday March 1 st the delegation took part in the cornerstone laying for St. James No. 3 temple Kemp road. It was a busy week and the group later that evening took part in raising 8 fellow crafts to the sublime degree of master mason.
Thursday March 2 nd the group enjoyed a glass bottom boat tour and later that night were entertained at the famous Silver Slipper for a delicious dinner, where masonic toasts were given. On Friday March 3 rd the group was interviewed by radio ZNS, before attending a farewell reception at the same famous Silver Slipper. The evening was capped off at the home of W.M. James E. Morley.
On Saturday March 3 rd the Grand Master and his delegation were sent off warmly by a large group accompanying them to the airport. It was a hectic, historic, busy, enjoyable and memorable occasion in the life of Prince Hall Masonry within the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
From that time forward Prince Hall Masonry grew, with the formation of new lodges and the amalgamation of some other defunct lodges from different heritage. Columbus lodge No16 is one such lodge in New Providence. The Grand Lodge list of Lodges was up to 28 at one time. Presently the lodges count and membership to date is down. Lodges on the roll to date is as follows.
Our Grand Masters tenure to date is as follows:
Two of our Grand Masters served multiple periods, they were James E. Morley (9 years) and Kenneth Moss (8 years), those periods were broken. The longest serving grand master without broken tenure was Roscow A.L. Davies , he served for seven consecutive years.
The relationship with the English, Irish and Scottish lodges was not as it is today. Royal Victoria 443 was here before Royal Eagle established in 1837 (Sutton). Prince Hall masons did not cross their threshold, neither did they Prince Hall doors. December 10 th 2003 the Grand lodge of England once again recognized Prince Hall Masonry, amity and relationship with the mother Lodge was restored. It signal the beginning of relationship with the local English District Grand lodge. In 2005 PGM Calvin Newton was appointed the G.L. of England local representative or liaison to the Prince Hall Family.
It is said that “Scottish Freemasonry has a long, storied history in The Bahamas, dating back over a few centuries” (DGL). It was defunct for a period of years. The Scottish District Grand lodge was started the 20 th March 1991, some of its it early leaders were former members of the Prince Hall Family, such as Dr. Claudius R. Walker, Rodd Innis to name a few. Dr. C.R. Walker and other like minded masons were very instrumental in the re activation of Scottish masonry in the Bahamas. They formed and had chartered Lodge St. Michael 1634 the 7 th June 1967 which was under the district of Jamaica.. Recognition between The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and The Grand Lodge of Scotland was established on October 28 th , 2004.
Recognition between The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and The United Grand Lodge of Ireland was established on October 2nd, 2004. March 9 th 2005 a delegation led by Grand Senior Warden Ersley Johnson, consisting of D.D.G. Master Everette Mackey and P.M. Eugene Nairn #16 attending the installation Right Worshipful Master Peter Cole of Unity Lodge. This was the first recorded visit of a Prince Hall delegation to one of the three recognized bodies in the Bahamas. Since then many other visits and exchanges have been made.
In 2005 meetings began between the Prince Hall Grand Lodge and the local Scottish District to chart the way forward and formalize interaction between the various bodies. Members appointed to represent both sides and at the first meeting from the District Grand Lodge Bahamas were District Grand Master Idris Reid, P.D.G.M. Arthur Chase, Deputy Elect Edgar Moxey, Substitute District Grand Master David Moncur, Donald Thompson and Calvin Knowles D. Grand Secretary.
Representing the Prince Hall Fraternity was G.S.W. Ersley Johnson, G. Secretary Wendell Barry, P.G.M. Godfrey Huyler, P.M. Peter Whitfield and P.M. Everette Mackey.
The relationship has grown todate and there is still more left to done to foster a closer relationship.
January 22 nd 2007 a delegation of English, Irish and Scottish masons made a formal visit to Royal Eagle Lodge No. 1. It was an evening of regal as the delegations was recieved by Worshipful Master at the time Fred Ferguson, D.D.G. Master Carl Culmer and the Grand Master himself Preston Cooper. It was truly a historic night to remember, never ever seen before and never ever will be.
Your grand lodge is working to re established and strengthen the Prince Hall name brick by brick. It is up to all of us to do our part, to ensure that the Prince Hall Family moves to higher heights.
God Bless the craft.
Bro. Everette Z. Mackey
Grand lecturer