Prince Hall Freemasonry

The Prince Hall Freemasonry was an historic event for the black community which led to the tradition of a free independent African American Freemasonry in North America. The Freemasonry consisted of Grand Lodges which were believed to be standard by the United Grand Lodge of England.

Prince Hall, an African American was made the Master Mason in the Irish Constitution Military lodge No. 441, on March 6th,1775 along with fourteen other African-Americans namely, Bueston Slinger, Cyrus Johnston, Prince Rees, Benjamin Tiler, Peter Freeman, Duff Ruform, Prince Rayden, Peter Best, Thomas Santerson, Cato Speain, Forten Horward, Richard Titley and Boston Smith, each one born free.

During the revolutionary war, when the Military Lodge left their area, the group of African Americans was given the authority to create a Procession on the Saint John days by forming a lodge and then following the Masonic funerals, but not to continue with any other Masonic work. These Freemasons applied to the Grand Lodge of England and also obtained a Warrant for Charter to form the African Lodge in 1784. The Lodge restyled itself after being stricken off their rolls and formed the African Lodge # 1 and soon separated from the United Grand Lodge of England recognized Masonry. They formed the tradition of a separate principle African American authority in North America. And this is today known as the Prince Hall Freemasonry.

In North America, racism and segregation was a major issue in the lives of all African Americans which furthermore made it impossible for them to join the mainstream lodges. Moreover thee Grand Lodges in North America refused to consider the Prince Hall Lodges and the Prince Hall Masons legal. For several years, these Prince Hall Lodges and Masons had an integrated membership, while they still remained a policy in the southern states of America. However, today they are recognized by the majority of Grand Lodges in US and other international countries and also by the Grand Lodge of England.

Source: By According to the site Grand Logde of British Culumbia and Yucon[2], the portrait is unattributed.[3] [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons