History
of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge
In New Mexico
(Click on Photos for larger image)
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The Seal of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge
F. & A. M. of NM, organized September 21, 1921. |
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The Original Charter of the African Lodge #459, held by
G. M. Ellison; the charter is kept in a vault in Boston, MA |
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The Memorial to Prince Hall in Boston, MA |
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| Note: The Original Charter is so delicate and precious
that it is brought out of the vault in Boston only once every 10 years. |
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Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New Mexico currently meets in their
Masonic Building located at 525 San Pedro Drive NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico at Prince Hall
Square.
The Grand Lodge of New Mexico was organized September 21, 1921 and elected the
Honorable T. B. J. Barclay, Grand Master. However, there was some difficulty
experienced with regard to Lodges working under the authority of a Sister
Jurisdiction. These conditions continued until August 17, 1937, when a Board of
Arbitration composed of members of several neighboring jurisdictions was called.
The board included a Grand Master from Nebraska, a Past Grand Master
from Kansas, a Deputy grand Master from Arizona and a Deputy Grand Master from Colorado.
The recommendations of this board were accepted by all parties concerned, thus ending a
sixteen year conflict.
True to the very nature of these rugged individuals of
the west, a dissatisfied group set up what was styled a four letter (1938) Masonic body.
In June of 1949, a Board of arbitration was called to meet at Albuquerque, New
Mexico - A Past Grand Master of Louisiana. After two days of earnest negotiations,
the effort to unite the two groups failed. The Fraternal Press of Baton Rouge, La,
published the entire proceedings called "The New Mexico Situation".
In 1957 the Supreme Court of the State of New Mexico
upheld a lower court decision, holding that Prince Hall Grand Lodge is the Supreme Masonic
Authority in the State of New Mexico under Masonic Law. Today a member of this
jurisdiction is Deputy Grand Master, who was State Treasurer of the opposing group.
We thank God and the many Fraternal Brothers, from Sister Jurisdictions, for their
unselfish help, especially are grateful to Grand Master Amos T. Hall for leading the legal
effort in out behalf. And too, Grand Master John G. Lewis, Jr., for his continuous
effort in the interest of progress.
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