There are many Prince Hall Affiliated (PHA) Freemasons who are unaware of the rich History of Prince Hall Freemasonry. There is also those whom, in the effort to make Prince Hall Freemasonic History seem as a seamless history that traces back to the late 18th century. This is not true and is evident when one reads and learns about the Prince Hall Origin (PHO) Freemasons. With that said, the following history, published on the website of Mt. Olive Lodge # 25 (http://www.mountolive25.com/home/prince-hall-history/), gives the history of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Maryland (PHA). The problem???? It is actually the history of the MW Grand Lodge of Maryland Free & Accepted Ancient York Masons Prince Hall Origin (PHO)- National Compact written by Bro. Christopher Belcher for the National Grand Lodge Historical & Research Society. It reads as follows:
“Following the manifesto of Captain William D. Matthews, he was part of the great effort to re-organize National Compact Freemasonry throughout the United States. For the most part he did, however he did not accomplish this in the state of Maryland. PNGM Captain William D, Matthews died March 2, 1906. Though Captain Matthews was gone the movement continued beyond his death. Thanks to men such as Dr. William Benderson of Virginia, Compact Freemasonry continued in Maryland.
According to Dr. Benderson, at the turn of the 20th century there were Compact Masons residing in the state of Maryland, however there was no Grand Lodge for the state. According to Dr. Benderson the National Grand Lodge organized Mount Sinai Lodge No. 1 November 18, 1918. The Lodge was established through the work of the tenth National Grand Master the Honorable John Wesley Alstork. According to Dr. Benderson, in a matter of a couple of years thirty two more Lodges were established near Baltimore.
Compact Freemasonry in Maryland also serves an important note in that presecedent was set due to an important case brought before the courts in Maryland involving Mt. Sinai Lodge No. 1 of Maryland. The United Grand Lodge of Maryland (now styled MW Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Maryland) sought to stop new membership into Mt.
Sinai Lodge and to stop the National Grand Lodge from organizing Lodges in Maryland. According to Dr. Benderson, if the United Grand Lodge would have secured an injunction against Mt. Sinai, it would have had a ripple effect Nationwide with regards to the National Grand Lodge re-organizaing Compact Freemasonry in other states in the U.S. The Case started December 2, 1919 and ended December 9, 1919.
The Order of the Court was as follows:
“The above entitled cause coming on for hearing, and being considered upon pleadings, testimony and argument of counsel, it is this 6th day of January 1920, ordered, adjudged and decreed that the Bill of Complaint be and the same is hereby ‘dismissed’ and the complainant pay the costs of these proceedings.”
The Grand Lodge of Maryland Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons was established under the jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge September 18, 1920.”
it is truly a pleasure to realize our history as Free and Accepted York Rite MasonsPrince Hall Origin
Interesting article