A Brief History of Prince Hall Freemasonry
A Brief History of Prince Hall Freemasonry
Prince Hall Freemasonry is one of the oldest fraternal organizations in the United States. Our founder Prince Hall and 14 other free men of color were inititated into Masonry in Boston, Massachusetts in an Army Lodge. Strong evidence identifies that Lodge as No. 441, Irish Register, 38th Regiment of foot. The British Army evacuated Boston on March 17, 1776. To enable their brethren of color to function, the Army Lodge gave them a license or permit to meet as a Lodge and to observe certain ceremonies, but apparently, not to confer degrees.
On March 2, 1784, African Lodge #1 petitioned the Grand Lodge of England, the Premier or Mother Grand Lodge of the world, for a warrant (or charter), to organize a regular masonic lodge, with all the rights and privileges thereunto prescribed. However, it was not delivered to Prince Hall until April 19, 1787. This Charter or warrant constituted Prince Hall and his brethren into African Lodge No. 459, formally organized May 6, 1787 with Prince Hall as Master; and insured the permanency, stability and future expansion of masonry among men of color. In accordance with Masonic usage of that time, a General Assembly of Masons of color met in Boston Massachusetts, on June 24, 1791 and formed the African Grand Lodge. Prince hall was elected as the first Most Worshipful Grand Master, which he held until his death in December 1807.
Today, the Prince Hall fraternity has over 4,500 lodges worldwide, forming 44 independent jurisdictions with a membership of over 300,000 masons whereby any good-hearted man, regardless of race, who is worthy and well qualified, can seek more light in masonry. While Prince Hall Free Masonry started as a segregated organization as was the case for many organizations in early American History, we enjoy full Fraternal recongition with our brothers of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Nebraska.