Prince Hall a Freemason

Prince Hall was the first African American who was made a Mason Grand Master by the Military Lodge No.441 on 6 March 1775. The Freemasonry seemed to be quiet welcoming to the black community. Prince Hall a Freemason worked hard at spreading the idea of equality, peace and liberty. It was not very common to have black men work as the Masons in Lodge. With unanimous petition Prince Hall worked for the rights of the African Americans in the newly free formed United States. As the Masonic Lodges generally excluded the African Americans during those days, Prince Hall a Freemason had to face many challenges. The limited power given to black Masons was not accepted well. Rights to meet at the Mason, to participate in processions and burying the dead as per their Masonic rites were allowed. The functioning of one fully operational lodge was not given under the control of black freemasons.

After waiting and petitioning for 9 years, the lodges were ready to accept the black and whites as equal in handling the Masonic authorities. Duke of Cumberland gave permission to separately operate Lodge no 459 as African lodge. Prince Hall a Freemason had worked with the establishment of African Lodge in many cities. After many years of consideration, abandonment and postponing the black Freemasons came together in 1791 and formed their own African Grand Lodge in North America. At that time Prince Hall was chosen to be the Grand Master unanimously. Prince Hall a Freemason of repute served the Lodge until his death in the year 1807. Now there are Prince Hall Grand Lodges in nations like Canada and Caribbean, Liberia and many more places. Though the Prince Hall did not get recognition rightaway, thorough analysis and controversies led to the study of matter. Later the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts got the due recognition as a Mason.