On March 6, 2019 our Grand Master E. Spencer Scott was presented with a resolution at the State House in Columbia recognizing Prince Hall Masonry with 150 years of service in South Carolina.
Prince Hall masons have made significant contributions throughout history to our country and specifically to the state of South Carolina. One of our very own lodges is named after Robert Smalls whom is noted specifically in South Carolina history as a politician and a United States Congressman.
Click Here for more Info on Robert Smalls
Click Here for more Info on Robert Smalls
Photos below submitted by Bro. Kenny Gause
who is prince hall?
Prince Hall, our Founder, was one of our great Americans; a Worthy Grand Master associated with our first Grand Lodge and its expansion. His name is carried and borne by our Masonic organizations in the United States, and thousands of Masons, who regard themselves as descendants from the Grand Lodge of England from which received his authority more than two centuries ago. We in America celebrated in 1976 the two hundredth anniversary of our Declaration of Independence. This is also the two hundred and, first (201st) anniversary of the founding of Prince Hall Masonry. It is a monument to Prince Hall's life, career and leadership.
Many rumors of the birth of Prince Hall have arisen. Few records and papers have been found of him either in Barbados where it was rumored that he was born, but no record of birth, by church or state, has been found there, and none in Boston. All 11 of the counties were searched and churches with baptismal records were examined without a find of the name of Prince Hall. The first record that we have of Prince Hall is a manumission paper filed by William Hall of Boston, and found in the Boston Athenaeum. This document tells us.
"Prince Hall has lived with us 21 years and served us well upon all occasions, for which reasons we maturely give him his freedom and that he is no longer to be reckoned a slave, but has been always accounted as a freeman by us, as he has served us faithfully. Upon that account, we have given him his freedom. As witness our hands this ninth day of April, 1770.
Many rumors of the birth of Prince Hall have arisen. Few records and papers have been found of him either in Barbados where it was rumored that he was born, but no record of birth, by church or state, has been found there, and none in Boston. All 11 of the counties were searched and churches with baptismal records were examined without a find of the name of Prince Hall. The first record that we have of Prince Hall is a manumission paper filed by William Hall of Boston, and found in the Boston Athenaeum. This document tells us.
"Prince Hall has lived with us 21 years and served us well upon all occasions, for which reasons we maturely give him his freedom and that he is no longer to be reckoned a slave, but has been always accounted as a freeman by us, as he has served us faithfully. Upon that account, we have given him his freedom. As witness our hands this ninth day of April, 1770.
the prince hall original charter
WARRANT OF AFRICAN LODGE NO. 459
Warrant of Constitution, A.G.M.
To All and Every:
Our Right Worshipful and Loving Brethren: Thomas Howard, Earl of Effington, Lord Howard, etc., Acting Grand Master, under the authority of his royal Highness, Henry Frederick, Duke of Cumberland, etc., Grand Master of the Most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, send greeting.
Know ye that we, at the humble petition of our Right Trusty and well beloved brethren, Prince Hall, Boston Smith, Thomas Sanderson, and several other brethren residing in Boston, New England, North America, do hereby constitute the said brethren into a regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, under the title or denomination of the African Lodge, to be opened in Boston, aforesaid, and do further, at their said petition and of the great trust and confidence reposed in every of the said above-named brethren, hereby appoint the Prince Hall to be Master; Boston Smith, Senior Warden and Thomas Sanderson, Junior Warden, for the opening of the said Lodge, and for such further time only as shall be thought by the brethren thereof, it being our will that this our appointment of the above said officers, shall in affect any further election said Lodge, but that such election shall be regulated agreeable to such By-Laws of the said Lodge as shall be consistent with the Grand Law of the society contained in the Book of Constitutions: and we hereby will, and require of you the said Prince Hall, to take special care that all and every the said brethren are to have been regularly made Masons, and that they do observe, perform, and keep all the rules and orders contained in the Book of Constitutions; and, further, that you do from time to time cause to be entered, in a book kept for that purpose, an account of your proceedings in the Lodge, together with all such Rules, orders and Regulations as shall be made for the good government of same, that in no wise you omit once in every year to send us, or our Successors, Grand Masters, or Rowland Holt, Esq., our Deputy Grand Master, for the time being, and account of your proceedings, and copies of all such Rules, Orders and Regulations as shall be made aforesaid together with the list of the members of the Lodge, and reasonably be expected toward the Grand Charity.
Moreover, we will, and require of you, the said Prince Hall, as soon as conveniently may be, to send an account in writing of what may be done by virtue of these presents.
(SEAL )
Given at London, under our hand and seal of Masonry, 29th day of September, A.L. 5784, A.D. 1784, by the Grand Master's command R. Holt, Deputy Grand Master.
Attest: William White, Grand Secretary.
Warrant of Constitution, A.G.M.
To All and Every:
Our Right Worshipful and Loving Brethren: Thomas Howard, Earl of Effington, Lord Howard, etc., Acting Grand Master, under the authority of his royal Highness, Henry Frederick, Duke of Cumberland, etc., Grand Master of the Most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, send greeting.
Know ye that we, at the humble petition of our Right Trusty and well beloved brethren, Prince Hall, Boston Smith, Thomas Sanderson, and several other brethren residing in Boston, New England, North America, do hereby constitute the said brethren into a regular Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, under the title or denomination of the African Lodge, to be opened in Boston, aforesaid, and do further, at their said petition and of the great trust and confidence reposed in every of the said above-named brethren, hereby appoint the Prince Hall to be Master; Boston Smith, Senior Warden and Thomas Sanderson, Junior Warden, for the opening of the said Lodge, and for such further time only as shall be thought by the brethren thereof, it being our will that this our appointment of the above said officers, shall in affect any further election said Lodge, but that such election shall be regulated agreeable to such By-Laws of the said Lodge as shall be consistent with the Grand Law of the society contained in the Book of Constitutions: and we hereby will, and require of you the said Prince Hall, to take special care that all and every the said brethren are to have been regularly made Masons, and that they do observe, perform, and keep all the rules and orders contained in the Book of Constitutions; and, further, that you do from time to time cause to be entered, in a book kept for that purpose, an account of your proceedings in the Lodge, together with all such Rules, orders and Regulations as shall be made for the good government of same, that in no wise you omit once in every year to send us, or our Successors, Grand Masters, or Rowland Holt, Esq., our Deputy Grand Master, for the time being, and account of your proceedings, and copies of all such Rules, Orders and Regulations as shall be made aforesaid together with the list of the members of the Lodge, and reasonably be expected toward the Grand Charity.
Moreover, we will, and require of you, the said Prince Hall, as soon as conveniently may be, to send an account in writing of what may be done by virtue of these presents.
(SEAL )
Given at London, under our hand and seal of Masonry, 29th day of September, A.L. 5784, A.D. 1784, by the Grand Master's command R. Holt, Deputy Grand Master.
Attest: William White, Grand Secretary.
the annual Prince Hall Freemasons Memorial Service
One of the enduring Memorial Day events in Boston’s North End is the annual Prince Hall Freemasons Memorial Service at Copp’s Hill Burying Ground. It is interesting to compare the similarity of today’s event to the 1908 service. After Hall's death, funeral rites were held for him in accord with Masonic ritual. He was buried in Boston in late March, 1808, after a large procession followed his body to the gravesite. Within a year of his death, Hall's followers renamed the African Masonic Lodge Prince Hall Masons in Hall's honor. Prince Hall is buried in Copp’s Hill Burying Ground in the North End in a marked grave. A monument was erected in 1835 next to the grave.
The prince hall cemetary
The Prince Hall Cemetery on Gardner Street in Arlington is steeped in American history. The Masonic Lodge was founded by Prince Hall in Boston in 1776. In 1864, Grand Master William B. Kendall of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge deeded the Gardner Street parcel he had purchased in 1856 to his lodge’s Masonic Order.Black Americans needed a place to bury their loved ones. The property was to be put in trust to be used exclusively as a Masonic burial ground to be known as Prince Hall Cemetery. Records indicate it was in use until about 1897 when for unknown reasons, it fell into disuse and as time passed it was forgotten.
The cemetery was restored through donations from the Prince Hall Grand Lodge and by the generosity of the town of Arlington through the town’s sharing its Community Development Block Grant funds. In 1990 the cemetery was rededicated. In 1998, the cemetery was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Every year since the rededication, there has been a noontime ceremony on Memorial Day. Masons from the Prince Hall Grand Lodge march into the cemetery where there is held a brief ceremony which includes a benediction, presentation of flags, remarks about the history of the cemetery, an address by the president of the Arlington Historical Society, remarks by the Grand Matron, remarks by the Grand Master, taps, and a benediction.Following the ceremony, members of the lodge proceed to the Copps Hill Burying Ground in Boston where Prince Hall is buried.
The cemetery was restored through donations from the Prince Hall Grand Lodge and by the generosity of the town of Arlington through the town’s sharing its Community Development Block Grant funds. In 1990 the cemetery was rededicated. In 1998, the cemetery was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Every year since the rededication, there has been a noontime ceremony on Memorial Day. Masons from the Prince Hall Grand Lodge march into the cemetery where there is held a brief ceremony which includes a benediction, presentation of flags, remarks about the history of the cemetery, an address by the president of the Arlington Historical Society, remarks by the Grand Matron, remarks by the Grand Master, taps, and a benediction.Following the ceremony, members of the lodge proceed to the Copps Hill Burying Ground in Boston where Prince Hall is buried.
the prince hall monument
An effort was launched , 10 years ago, for a Memorial to Prince Hall on Cambridge Common. Prince Hall to be the First African American Honored on Historic Ground. A committee was formed by , then , Mayor E. Denise Simmons and was gained preliminary approval from the Cambridge Historic Commission to design and place the memorial on the Common’s rotunda – near the George Washington Memorial.
This is the first monument in recognition of any African American on the Cambridge Common, historic for being the site where General George Washington formed the Continental Army.
“Prince Hall’s life and legacy in the days before and after the American Revolution proved to be the foundation on which the modern civil rights movement was built,” said Mayor Simmons. “He advocated for the inclusion of African Americans in the Continental Army, an end to slavery, and for the education of black children. He formed organizations where African Americans could gather and speak that remain vital to this day – all at a time when it was dangerous to do so.”
“The Cambridge Common is in many ways hallowed ground, with monuments to important people and events in the history of Cambridge, and the entire nation. Yet, it is sadly absent any reference to the experience of African Americans in that history. By memorializing Prince Hall, and the principles he stood for, we pay homage to those that suffered through slavery, and honor those that fought against it, and provided a foundation for what would become the modern Civil Rights Movement,” said Mayor Simmons.
This is the first monument in recognition of any African American on the Cambridge Common, historic for being the site where General George Washington formed the Continental Army.
“Prince Hall’s life and legacy in the days before and after the American Revolution proved to be the foundation on which the modern civil rights movement was built,” said Mayor Simmons. “He advocated for the inclusion of African Americans in the Continental Army, an end to slavery, and for the education of black children. He formed organizations where African Americans could gather and speak that remain vital to this day – all at a time when it was dangerous to do so.”
“The Cambridge Common is in many ways hallowed ground, with monuments to important people and events in the history of Cambridge, and the entire nation. Yet, it is sadly absent any reference to the experience of African Americans in that history. By memorializing Prince Hall, and the principles he stood for, we pay homage to those that suffered through slavery, and honor those that fought against it, and provided a foundation for what would become the modern Civil Rights Movement,” said Mayor Simmons.
the phylaxis society
THE PHYLAXIS SOCIETY is an international organization of Prince Hall Freemasons dedicated to studying the life of Prince Hall and researching the history of Prince Hall Freemasonry. The Phylaxis Society was designed to create a bond of union for Masonic writers and to educate Universal Freemasonry about Prince Hall Freemasonry. The Society has become the leader in its field: encouraging Prince Hall Masonic Study and stimulating the writing of accurate and interesting articles for our own publication. In this manner it fosters the close, human relationship that is the ideal of Freemasonry. The Society in no way interferes with the legislative and ritualistic affairs of any Masonic body. The word PHYLAXIS is pronounced fil-lak-sis. Phyl is Greek for tribe, clan, race, and is akin to the Greek word 'phyein' which means to bring forth - more to be. PHYLAXIS means to guard and preserve. Symbolically we interpret it as to bring forth more light in Masonry, and to guard the Prince Hall Fraternity against its enemies using the truth to preserve our Masonic heritage
The PHYLAXIS Magazine is one of the finest publications in all of Freemasonry. Members will find it interesting and informative Masonic reading. Members also receive information about current Masonic research projects, and they are provided an opportunity to make contributions to the magazine.
chi rho fraternity, inc
prince hall affiliated
The Chi Rho Fraternity is indebted to our Beloved Prince Hall for revealing information about our forefathers, who belonged to the Order of St. John, from whence came the Chi Rho Fraternity. Found in Prince Hall’s charge (1792) is a most interesting account of our Order. In that charge, Prince Hall suggested that the members of African Lodge, were descendants of African masons who were members of a Christian masonic knighthood called, the Order of St. John.
The traditions of the Chi Rho Fraternity (Alpha Omega) are among the oldest and most honorable found within the Knighthood Orders associated with Freemasonry. The Greek letters Chi Rho (pronounced the same as Cairo) were utilized by the Order just after the battle of Saxa Rubra (Red Stones) on October 28, 312 A.D. According to Masonic tradition (Red Cross of Constantine) and Christian tradition (Catholic Encyclopedia), on the eve of the battle, Flavius Constantinius (hereafter called Constantine) drew apart from his army to commune with his pagan gods (one of which was named Sol Invictus), beseeching them to give him assurance of victory. It was then that he was given a vision of the Monogram of Christ (Chi Rho, which are the first letters of Christos; Greek for Christ) in the heavens with the inscription “En Touto Nika”.
A candidate to be installed as a member of the Order shall be a Master Mason (in good standing of a regular and recognized masonic body) and a current member of the Phylaxis Society. Only those candidates, who are willing to commit themselves to follow the teaching of Jesus (Yeshua), pledge themselves to love God with all their heart, mind, soul and might, and love others as they love themselves, will be eligible for membership.
The traditions of the Chi Rho Fraternity (Alpha Omega) are among the oldest and most honorable found within the Knighthood Orders associated with Freemasonry. The Greek letters Chi Rho (pronounced the same as Cairo) were utilized by the Order just after the battle of Saxa Rubra (Red Stones) on October 28, 312 A.D. According to Masonic tradition (Red Cross of Constantine) and Christian tradition (Catholic Encyclopedia), on the eve of the battle, Flavius Constantinius (hereafter called Constantine) drew apart from his army to commune with his pagan gods (one of which was named Sol Invictus), beseeching them to give him assurance of victory. It was then that he was given a vision of the Monogram of Christ (Chi Rho, which are the first letters of Christos; Greek for Christ) in the heavens with the inscription “En Touto Nika”.
A candidate to be installed as a member of the Order shall be a Master Mason (in good standing of a regular and recognized masonic body) and a current member of the Phylaxis Society. Only those candidates, who are willing to commit themselves to follow the teaching of Jesus (Yeshua), pledge themselves to love God with all their heart, mind, soul and might, and love others as they love themselves, will be eligible for membership.
William m. curtis
texas prince hall library museum
The Library Museum serves as the institutional memory for the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas and its jurisdiction. It maintains a collection of records including multimedia and artifacts that are ordered to be available for research and have historical value and interest. The Library Museum also maintains the non-current records of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas and its jurisdiction that have historical or enduring value.
|
prince hall public school
Prince Hall was instrumental in the initiation of the establishment of one of the first public schools for Blacks of Boston in 1798 at No. 8 Smith Court, where the first Black church in Boston was located. Prince Hall School is the only school in the United States named after this great gentleman.
The Prince Hall Pledge
I do promise to accept and follow the ideals of the Prince Hall School. P Promptness each day! R Respect for teachers and one another! I Improvement in school achievement! N Neat in appearance, uniform and work! C Conscientious! E Enthusiastic, efficient in all I do! H Helpful to those around me! A Ambitious and eager for success! L Leadership having the strength to guide others! L Loyal to school, family and friends! |
Prince Hall School is located in the West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia. Prince Hall opened in 1973. Originally the school was to be named the West Oak Lane School. The community, Mrs. Virginia Lee, Past Matron of Henry R. Shockley Chapter No. 68 Order of Easter Star, Deborah Grand Chapter PHA.PA (1st President of the Home and School), and Past Grand Master Howard A. Accooe, Past Master of Tuscan Morning Star Lodge No.48 PHA, PA petitioned the School Board of Philadelphia to name the school PRINCE HALL. Prince Hall School’s mascot is the “Wise Owl" and our colors are Sky Blue and Grass Green which accounts for the school’s motto: “THE BEST BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH.”
the prince hall family support center
The Prince Hall Family Support Center, named to honor Prince Hall was opened in March 1994 in the former Central Medical Center building at 4411 North Newstead Ave in St. Louis, Missouri It is dedicated to changing the way in which federal, state, and community family-support services are delivered. The facility at 155.000 square feet, not only is the largest family-support center in the nation, but also is potentially the best example of a centralized community based, collaborative effort of its kind