ABOUT

Second Masonic District
by Ludwick Hall

The Second Masonic District of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of New York is comprised of the Lodges located in the geographical areas of Kings (Brooklyn) and Richmond (Staten Island) Counties.  Since the establishment of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge in New York, Nineteen (19) Lodges were warranted/chartered in the geographical area of the Second Masonic District.  Today Nine of those Lodges are currently active.Those Lodges are Widow Sons Lodge No. 11, Hiram Lodge No. 23, Carthaginian Lodge No. 47,  Silver Lake Lodge No. 59, African 459 Lodge No. 63, St. James Lodge No. 114, Epiphany Lodge No.  121, Louis Fair Lodge No. 122 and Sons of Kings Lodge No. 123.
​
The geographical area of the Second District of Eureka Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star consist of Brooklyn (Kings) and Staten Island (Richmond) Counties. Currently there are Six (6) Eastern Star Chapters subordinate to Eureka Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star in the Second District. The active Chapters include Sunshine Chapter No. 34, Silver Queen Chapter No. 43, Victoria Chapter No. 45, Fidelity Chapter No. 54, Mt. Zion Chapter No. 59 and Emerald Chapter No. 81.

History

The first Lodge established in the 2nd Masonic District of the M.W.P.H., G.L.-N.Y. was a Lodge called Rising Sun Lodge
No. 3. According to William Grimshaw in his book: "The Official History of Freemasonry Among Colored People", published in 1903, Rising Sun Lodge No. 3 was established about 1827 by African Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. However, according to the" Proceedings of the 1883 Grand Lodge of Ohio (Colored), Pg. 167", Rising Sun Lodge No. 3 was established by the First Independent African Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. Unfortunately the warrant/charter of Rising Sun Lodge No.3 was subsequently recalled between 1877 and 1900 by what is now the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of New York.

According to the records of the M.W.P.H., G.L.-N.Y. in addition to Rising Sun Lodge No. 3, the warrants/charters of Five (5) other Lodges that were located in the Second Masonic District and chartered by what is now the M.W.P.H.,G.L.-N.Y. were recalled. The records of the Grand Lodge does not specifically give a reason, for recalling those warrants/charters, however the recalling of the warrants /charters may have resulted from the inactivity of the Lodges for specific periods by which the Constitution may have mandated appropriate action by the Grand Lodge.

Grimshaw further stated in his book that on March 16, 1845, Rising Sun Lodge No. 3 united with three other Lodges in the New York area, Boyer Lodge No. 1, Celestial Lodge No. 2 and Hiram Lodge No. 4 to form the Boyer Grand Lodge of New York, This according to him was the first Grand Lodge composed of Prince Hall Masons in the State of New York. Joshua Woodlin, in his book. "The Masonic National Union", published in 1855, the first known published history of the Prince Hall fraternity, list Hiram Lodge No. 4 as being located in Brooklyn at the time.

"By 1847 there were three Grand Lodges operating in the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and there was intense rivalry between them. The first of these was the Hiram Grand Lodge, which was gaining adherents, the second was the First Independent African Grand Lodge, which was losing members." The third Grand Lodge in Philadelphia was the United Independent Harmony Grand Lodge. The problems between these three groups became so embarrassing, that John T. Hilton, Grand Master of the African Grand Lodge of Massachusetts (the Mother Grand Lodge) requested they come to Boston to mediate the problem. In addition to the problems between these groups, there was also intense ill feeling between the individual Lodges of Boyer Grand Lodge in New York. Accordingly, the members of Boyer Grand Lodge were also invited to go to Boston to attempt to arrive at a solution to the problems in New York.

The Boston Conference was convened on June 23, 1847. Lewis Hayden, William Clark and Alexander Elston were Boyer Grand Lodge's delegates to the Conference. While at the conference, they signed a proposed resolution which was subsequently meant to establish "The Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons of these United States of North America, Prince Hall Origin" commonly known as the "M.W. National Grand Lodge of F.A.A.Y.M., PHO or National Compact. According to Matthew Brock a Past Grand Master of the National Grand Lodge in his book, "The History of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge" the Boston Conference was adjourned on June 28, 1847 to allow the delegates to take the information on the proposed formation of the National Grand Lodge to their respective Grand Lodges, for the membership of those Grand Lodges to consider, deliberate and to subsequently instruct their delegates whether they should ratify the membership of those Grand Lodges in the National Grand Lodge. The Conference was then scheduled to reconvene in the City of New York on June 24, 1848, for the confirmation, ratification and establishment of the National Grand Lodge. "On March 14, 1848 when the delegates from Boyer Grand Lodge presented the proposal to the Boyer Grand Lodge, it refused to endorse the actions of its delegates, causing a schism". The rejection by the membership of the proposal led to the formation of an opposing Grand Lodge, the United Grand Lodge of New York, under the leadership of James Barnett, who had been the Senior Grand Warden of Boyer Grand Lodge. By June of 1848 with most of the Lodges subordinate to the new United Grand Lodge of New York, the Boyer Grand Lodge disbanded and the United Grand Lodge became the only Masonic body in the State composed of Masons who could trace the origins of their association to African Lodge 459 of Boston.

By 1849 the United Grand Lodge was composed of Eight (8) subordinate Lodges. Three of those Lodges, Rising Sun, Hiram and Union were in Brooklyn, or what is now a part of the Second District. The other Five Lodges in the United Grand Lodge were: Boyer Lodge in New York City, Celestial Lodge in New York City, King Solomon Lodge in New York City, Meridian Lodge in New York City and Eureka Lodge in New York City.

In June of 1849, when it was apparent to the National Compact Grand Lodge or Compact which had set itself up as a national body with the self appointed right to subordinate all existing African American Grand Lodges, and to supervise all Colored or Negro (African American) Masons nationwide, realized that the United Grand Lodge had no interest in membership in that organization, it falsely claimed it expelled the new United Grand Lodge of New York. In October of 1849 the Nationals then set up a substitute Grand Lodge in New York, the Union Grand Lodge of New York with John Flamer as its Grand Master. For the next twenty eight years, the two Grand Lodges consisting of Prince Hall Masons existed within the State of New York. Four of the Lodges of the United Grand Lodge (Meridian, King Solomon, Eureka and Union), and some members of Celestial Lodge and Hiram Lodge chose to become affiliated with the new Union Grand Lodge (Compact). In the case of Hiram Lodge, a minority of its members accepted a Charter from the Union Grand Lodge (Compact), and was listed as Hiram Lodge No. 1 on its register. The majority of the members remained in Hiram No. 4, under the United Grand Lodge of New York. This also occurred in Celestial Lodge where a minority of that Lodge's members accepted a Charter from the Union Grand Lodge (Compact), and was listed on its register as, Celestial No. 2. In 1855 when Paul Drayton the first Grand Master of Boyer Grand Lodge became the Grand Master of the Union Grand Lodge, it was renamed the Grand Lodge of New York, F.A.A.Y.M.

On December 26, 1877 the M.W. United Grand Lodge merged with the M.W. Grand Lodge of New York, F.A.A.Y.M. (the successor to the M.W. Union Grand Lodge which was set up by the National Compact Grand Lodge in 1849). The union of these two Grand Lodges formed what is now the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F & A.M. of New York. At the merger of the two Grand Lodges, there was no record of the Union Lodge that was originally a subordinate Lodge of the United Grand Lodge and became one of the Charter Lodges of the Union Grand Lodge F.A.A.Y.M. or Compact Grand Lodge that was established in New York in 1849.

Widow Sons Lodge #11
On March 24, 1859 Widow Sons Lodge, a fourth Lodge composed of Prince Hall Masons was established in Brooklyn. It was chartered by the National Grand Lodge or National Compact, New York affiliate, the Grand Lodge of New York, F.A.A.Y.M. Although not one of the original Lodges which established the National Grand Lodge affiliate, the Union Grand Lodge in 1849, when Widow Sons Lodge became a part of the current MWPHGL-N.Y. at the merger of the two New York Grand Lodges in 1877, it was listed as Widow Sons Lodge No. 1 on the rolls of the Grand Lodge of New York, F.A.A.Y.M. In the new or merged Grand Lodge it was warranted or chartered and renumbered as Widow Sons Lodge No. 11. The historians of Widow Sons Lodge have insisted that it was established in 1849 and was one of the charter Lodges of Union Grand Lodge, the Compact Grand Lodge that was established at the time. However, Joshua Woodlin who in 1855 was the Grand Secretary of the National Grand Lodge, and the author of "The Masonic National Union", which he wrote in 1855, and is accepted as the first official history of the Prince Hall Fraternity, does not list it as having been established in 1849. The date March 14, 1859 which is listed above is the date the MWPHGL-NY indicates it was established. That information was received from the Compact Grand Lodge at the 1877 merger. Widow Sons Lodge is currently the oldest Lodge in the Second Masonic District.

Stone Square Lodge #12
On Wednesday evening, May 4, 1859, a Special Session of the United Grand Lodge of the State of New York was convened to consider a petition from a group consisting of Dr. Peter Ray, J.A. Trower, A. R. Jarvis, B.N.C. Warrick and Moses Pierce to organize a Lodge to be known as Stone Square Lodge in Brooklyn. On May 5, 1859, R.W. John R. Porter, Senior Grand Warden of the United Grand Lodge, acting at the direction of M.W. Alexander Elston, the Grand Master at the time, presented a dispensation which authorized Dr. Ray and his brethren to work as Stone Square Lodge Under Dispensation. The following members were appointed to serve as the Lodge's first officers: B.N.C. Warrick, Worshipful Master; Abraham R. Jarvis, Senior Warden; and Moses Pine, Junior Warden. On January 6, 1860, with M.W. Ransom Wake, the then Grand Master presiding, and with members of the United Grand Lodge Cabinet present, M.W. Wake consecrated the meeting room of the Williamsburg Masonic Hall and warranted the members of Stone Square Lodge U.D., as Stone Square Lodge No. 6, under the jurisdiction of the M.W. United Grand Lodge of New York. At the merger of the two Grand Lodges in 1877 Stone Square Lodge was renumbered, Stone Square Lodge No. 12. Its warrant was subsequently recalled by the Grand Lodge between 1877 and 1900.

Hiram Lodge #23
The next Lodge to be established in the Second District was a second Lodge with the name Hiram Lodge. It was warranted by the Grand Lodge of New York, F.A.A.Y.M. (National Compact) on June 27, 1863 as Hiram Lodge No. 21. At the merger of the two Prince Hall Grand Lodges in New York in 1877 it was warranted and renumbered as Hiram Lodge No. 23. The first Worshipful Master under the current Grand Lodge was W.B., J.F. Foy It is currently the second oldest Lodge in the Second Masonic District. The original Hiram Lodge which was listed by Woodlin as being located in Brooklyn, ultimately was relocated to Manhattan and retained its name and number as Hiram Lodge No. 4. Its warrant/charter was subsequently recalled by the Grand Lodge in the early part of the 21st Century for inactivity.

Morning Star Lodge #15
Morning Star Lodge was the next Lodge established in the Second Masonic District. It was warranted on December 26, 1864 by the Grand Lodge of New York, F.A.A.Y.M (National Compact) as Morning Star Lodge No. 19. At the merger of the two Grand Lodges in 1877 it was renumbered as Morning Star Lodge No. 15. Its warrant was subsequently recalled by the Grand Lodge.

King David Lodge #26
A Lodge by the name of King David was warranted by the Grand Lodge of New York, F.A.A.Y.M. (National Compact) on October 13, 1875, as King David Lodge No. 18. It was subsequently renumbered King David Lodge No. 26, on December 19, 1878 pursuant to the merger of the two Grand Lodges in December of 1877. Its warrant was subsequently recalled by the Grand Lodge.

Just after the beginning of the 20th Century, a group of young men decided to form a new Masonic Lodge in Brooklyn. The plan aroused the interest of the two Masonic Lodges already in operation in the Borough, Widow Sons Lodge No. 11 and Hiram Lodge #23.

Carthaginian Lodge #47
On April 21, 1904 notices relative to the proposed formation of the new Lodge were sent to a number of men in the Borough of Brooklyn, inviting them to a meeting at the residence of Bertrand Logan, 225 DeKalb Ave. On that date a club was formed and was named the Carthaginian Club, in honor of the 3000 year old City of Carthage, which was founded by men of the Kingdom of Tyre. The city of Carthage is situated in the country of Tunisia, in Northern Africa. In the Millennium prior to the birth of Christ, Carthage ruled the Mediterranean basin from Greece in the east to the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) in the west. When Rome began to amass its Empire, Carthage fought three Wars, known as the Punic Wars with Rome. With the conclusion of the third Punic War, Carthage was defeated, and became a part of the Roman Empire. One of Carthage's most famous individuals was the Phoenician General, Hannibal, Historically he was the only known military leader to have crossed the Alps with an army on elephants. With the eventual fall of the Roman Empire, Carthage became part of the Moorish Empire which again ruled the Mediterranean Basin, and which left a rich cultural legacy consisting of literature, architecture and the sciences in Southern Europe. After the Carthaginian Club was organized, Bros. Louis A. Jeppe', Ferdinand L. Washington and Harry Albro Williamson, of Mount Olive Lodge No. 2, and Brother William H. Cook of James H. Farrell Lodge No. 34 were invited to join the club. Since the requirements of the Grand Lodge required a minimum of seven Master Masons to petition for the formation of a new Lodge, at a later meeting, William C. Taylor, Charles A. Moore and Marcy H. Hargrave were selected to submit formal petitions to Boyer Lodge No. 1, where they were initiated, passed and raised. On the night of October 18, 1904, the club having met the formal requirements of the Grand Lodge, M.W. Edward C. Eato, Grand Master at the time presiding, and the members of the Grand Lodge dedicated Sumner Hall, 1586 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, for Masonic use and the consecration of a Lodge. It was at that time that the Carthaginian Club came to an end and Carthaginian Lodge U.D. was established. The first officers of the Lodge while under dispensation were: Louis A. Jeppe', Worshipful Master; Harry A. Williamson, Senior Warden; Charles A. Moore, Junior Warden; William C. Taylor, Treasurer; Ferdinand L. Washington, Secretary; Thomas H. Alston, Acting Senior Deacon; Marcy H. Hargrave, Junior Deacon; Reverend Owen M. Waller, Acting Chaplain; Joseph T. Griffin and William H. Butler, both Acting Masters of Ceremonies; Robert H. Huchless, Acting Marshal and Lube Pulley, Acting Organist. On June 8, 1905 M.W. Eato and the Grand Lodge's cabinet, pursuant to a decision of the Grand Lodge presented the charter/warrant effectively making Carthaginian Lodge U.D., Carthaginian Lodge No. 47 on the rolls of the Grand Lodge. Known as "the Silk Stocking Lodge" in the year 2005 Carthaginian Lodge celebrated 100 years of its continued existence.

Tuscan Lodge #58
In the early part of the 20th Century a group of men who had migrated to Brooklyn from Barbados, the West Indies expressed a desire to form a Masonic Lodge. They having limited knowledge of Masonry in the United States applied to an organization known as "The Hiram Grand Lodge of New York." for membership. Under the name "Globe Lodge" they were subsequently given a dubious charter by the Hiram organization. The organization known as The Hiram Grand Lodge of New York was established without legitimate Masonic authority on August 20, 1908 in Buffalo, N.Y. by John G. Jones of Chicago, Ill. and Dorsey Seville of Washington D.C. Both of these gentlemen were at the time expelled Prince Hall Masons. Seville was expelled on June 26, 1896 by what is now the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, and John G. Jones was expelled on October 14, 1903 by what is now the M.W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois. Both Seville and Jones were expelled for "Unmasonic conduct" . Over time some members of "Globe Lodge" became social acquaintances of members of Carthaginian Lodge No. 47. In discussing the merits of the Hiram organization, they were advised by the members of Carthaginian Lodge that the so called "Hiram Grand Lodge" was of dubious origin, and the legitimacy of "Globe Lodge" was questionable. Their interest sparked by the members of Carthaginian Lodge, they wrote to the United Grand Lodge of England to verify the information they had received. When the response from the United Grand Lodge of England confirmed the information they had received, they surrendered the charter they had received to the Hiram Grand Lodge. In the latter part of 1920, with the assistance of members of Carthaginian Lodge they formed a club and requested a dispensation from the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York. On January 22, 1921, the members of the club which at the time included the requisite number of Master Masons, some of whom were from Carthaginian Lodge, were placed Under Dispensation by M.W. David W. Parker, Grand Master at the time, as Tuscan Lodge U.D. W.B. Joseph Alexander, one of the former members of Carthaginian Lodge No. 47 served as the first Worshipful Master of Tuscan Lodge while it was Under Dispensation. On October 21, 1921, at the Ionic Masonic Temple, 165 Cleremont Ave., Brooklyn, with M.W. Parker presiding, the members of the Grand Lodge chartered the members of Tuscan Lodge U.D. as Tuscan Lodge No. 58. The first officers of Tuscan Lodge No. 58 were: Preston Cumberbatch, Worshipful Master, Claude Lawrence, Senior Warden, Duncan Holder, Junior Warden, Joshua Cumberbatch, Treasurer and John Hoyte, Secretary. Its warrant was subsequently recalled by the Grand Lodge.

Silver Lake Lodge #59
In late 1919 a group of young men in the West Brighton area of Staten Island, under the leadership of Phoenix Armstrong, and including Henry White, Thomas Butler and Percy Owens wanted to form a Masonic Lodge. Based on the advice of their acquaintances who were Masons, they formed a Club and applied to the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge to be placed Under Dispensation. On May 28, 1921 during the administration of M.W. David W. Parker, Grand Master at the time presiding, they were placed Under Dispensation as Silver Lake Lodge U.D. At the 76th Annual Grand Session of the M.W.P.H.,G.L. in June of that year, permission was granted to M.W. Parker to issue a Warrant/Charter to the Lodge, if in his opinion its officers showed suitable proficiency in the work. On December 27, 1921, the members of the Lodge in the opinion of the M.W. Parker having shown suitable proficiency, and with him presiding and members of the Grand Lodge including the Grand Secretary, R. W. Arthur Schomburg in attendance, a charter was granted to the Lodge to work and act as Silver Lake Lodge No. 59. Phoenix Armstrong was elected and installed as its first Worshipful Master. Silver Lake Lodge being the only Lodge on Staten Island, have for most of its history owned the building where the Lodge held its meetings. For most of the time between the 1970's and 1990's they met at a building owned by the Lodge at 134 Faber Street, in Staten Island. Ultimately selling that property For the period between the early 1990's and the early 21st Century they met at several locations including the Snug Harbor Center. In the early part of the 21st Century, they purchased the current location, 203 Port Richmond Ave,, in Staten Island. That location, known as the Silver Lake Masonic Temple is where they currently hold their meetings.

African 459 Lodge #63
Also in the year 1919, a group of outstanding members of the Brooklyn African American community were desirous of forming a Masonic Lodge. After seeking the advice of members of the Masonic Fraternity, they formed a club. Choosing to conduct the meetings of the club at the Ionic Masonic Temple, 165 Cleremont Ave., in Brooklyn, they named the club, "The Ionic Fraternal Club." Present at their first meeting were Bro. Francis F. Giles of Widow Sons Lodge No. 11, A.P. Portias, J. Francis Mickens, W.R. Lee, William Odell, Cornelius Moore, and Samuel Green. Presiding over that first meeting was the then District Deputy Grand Master of the Second Masonic District, R.W. Walter A. Marable. After having met for an unknown number of times, and with their knowledge of the history of the Prince Hall fraternity increased, they decided to rename the club, African Club 459 to honor the first Lodge of African Americans to receive a legitimate Masonic charter from the Grand Lodge of England. They then applied to the M.W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge for membership in the fraternity. On Saturday November 19, 1921, pursuant to the authority of the then Grand Master, M.W. David W. Parker an Occasional Grand Lodge was convened at the Ionic Masonic Temple and the members of the Club were placed under dispensation as African 459, Lodge U.D. On June 8, 1922 after having shown suitable proficiency in the work, the members of African Lodge 459 U.D., pursuant to the authority of the Grand Lodge, and with M.W. Parker and members of the Grand Lodge including R.W. Arthur Schomburg Grand Secretary present, they were officially warranted as African 459 Lodge No. 63. Bro. Francis F. Giles, having demitted to the Lodge served as its first Worshipful Master.

St. Cecile Lodge #68
Because of its composition during the latter part of the 19th Century and the early part of the 20th Century, the former Hiram Lodge No. 4 which by that time was located in Manhattan, was known as the "Musicians Lodge". In Brooklyn during that same period there were young men, some of whom were Masons who wanted to have a Lodge in Brooklyn whose membership consisted primarily of musicians and entertainers. On the advice of, and with the assistance of R.W. Walter Marable, the District Deputy Grand Master of the Second Masonic District at the time, the young men which included a Band Leader, Jack Hutton, formed a club (The St. Cecile Club). The name St. Cecile was chosen by the members of the Club because she is considered to be the patron Saint of Musicians. With the assistance of R.W. Marable, the members of the Club submitted a petition to the Grand Lodge to form a Lodge. The Grand Lodge acted favorable on the petition, and on May 12, 1923 pursuant to the authority of M.W. David W. Parker, Grand Master at the time presiding, an Occasional Grand Lodge was convened at the Ionic Masonic Temple, where the members of the Club were Entered, Passed and Raised, and the Grand Master issued a dispensation declaring the Club to be St. Cecile Lodge U.D. The first officers of St. Cecile Lodge U.D. were; James R. Lawson, Worshipful Master; Emanuel Howard, Senior Warden; Louis B. Pertillo, Junior Warden; Louis B. Smith, Treasurer and Harold E. Shruesbury, Secretary; On June 6, 1923 at the 78th Annual Session of the Grand Lodge, permission was granted for the members of St. Cecile Lodge U.D. to be warranted as St. Cecile Lodge No. 68. On December 18, 1923 with members of the Grand Lodge in attendance at the Ionic Masonic Temple, the Charter was officially presented to the Lodge. Its warrant was subsequently recalled by the Grand Lodge.

Fidelity Chapter No. 54
On January 29, 1903 the first Eastern Star Chapter in the Second District, Queen Esther Chapter No. 9 was established at the Ionic Masonic Temple, 165 Claremont Ave. in Brooklyn.13 Little is known about the history of Queen Esther Chapter No. 9. But In 1937, the withdrawal from the Prince Hall Fraternity by the then Worthy Grand Matron Alice Campbell and her supporters divided the loyalties of the members of Queen Esther Chapter No. 9, some of its members including the Principal Officers of the Chapter chose to leave Eureka Grand Chapter and align themselves with Sis. Campbell’s new organization. Eventually with the reorganization of Eureka Grand Chapter, those members of the Queen Esther Chapter No. 9 who remained loyal to Eureka Grand Chapter petitioned the new Worthy Grand Patron, Bro Roland Johnson to form a new Chapter. On November 7, 1938, pursuant to the powers vested in him, Past Grand Patron Johnson, issued a Charter to the remaining members of Queen Esther Chapter No. 9 who remained loyal to Eureka Grand Chapter to work and act as Fidelity Chapter No. 54. The first officers of Fidelity Chapter No. 54 were Monica Harrison, Worthy Matron and Emma Mitchell Associate Matron. 

Sunshine Chapter No. 34
Sunshine Chapter No. 34 was the second Eastern Star Chapter to be organized in the Second District. On June 5, 1922 at the Ionic Masonic Temple 165 Claremont Ave. in Brooklyn the then Worthy Grand Matron, Sis. Alice Campbell and her cabinet issued a Charter to 40 ladies (the wives, widows, mothers, sisters and daughters of Master Masons) to work and act as Sunshine Chapter No. 34. On November 20, 1938, pursuant to the reorganization of Eureka Grand Chapter, the Chapter was re-warranted. The officers of Sunshine Chapter at the time it was re-warranted were: Sadie Hill, Worthy Matron; Albert Robertson, Worthy Patron; Cleopatra Williams, Associate Matron; Cora Meyers, Conductress; Grace Hawkins, Associate Conductress: Louise Graves, Treasurer; Hattie Gould, Secretary; Cora Gormin, Warder and John Hill, Sentinel. 

Silver Queen No. 43
In 1925 Silver Queen Chapter No. 43 was organized in the West Brighton Section of Staten Island. It was the third Eastern Star Chapter to be organized in the Second District. Most of the charter members of the Chapter were also members of St. Phillips Baptist Church on Staten Island. The first officers of Silver Queen Chapter were: Gertrude Clayton, Worthy Matron and Thomas Butler, Worthy Patron. As with Silver Lake Lodge which is the only Prince Hall Lodge on Staten Island, Silver Queen Chapter remains the only Prince Hall Eastern Star Chapter on Staten Island. It currently meets at the Silver Lake Masonic Temple, 203 Port Richmond Ave. in Staten Island. 

Victoria Chapter No. 45
The fourth Eastern Star Chapter to be established in the Second District was Victoria Chapter No. 45. The warrant to establish the Chapter was issued on November 17, 1923. The first officers of the Chapter were Sis. Mereta Green, Worthy Matron; Bro. William Tebuce, Worthy Patron and Sis. Mabel Eubanks, Associate Matron. As with all of the subordinate Chapters of Eureka Grand Chapter, as a result of the problems resulting from the withdrawal from the Prince Hall family by the then Worthy Grand Matron Alice Campbell and her followers, and the subsequent reorganization of Eureka Grand Chapter, on November 26, 1938 Victoria Chapter was re-warranted. The first officers of the Chapter at the time it was re-warranted were: Olive Tebuce, Worthy Matron; Samuel I. Greene, Worthy Patron; Jane Eason, Associate Matron and Diane Harris, Treasurer. 

Mt. Pisgah Lodge #83
In the year 1910 a group of friends desirous of receiving Masonic Light applied to an organization known as the Hiram Grand Lodge of New York and were granted a charter to work as Mount Pisgah Lodge. Not satisfied with the regularity of the Hiram organization, in 1944 during the tenure of its Worshipful Master Samuel Johnson the members of the Lodge formed a committee consisting of R.W. Edgar Venable, P.M. Herman Bullock and Chester Berks to explore the possibility of becoming affiliated with the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York. A meeting was held between members of the Committee and the then Grand Master, of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, M.W. Louis Fair. As a result of the meeting with M.W. Fair and pursuant to his authority, an Occasional Grand Lodge was convened on December 21, 1945 which concluded in the members of Mount Pisgah receiving the degrees of Masonry and being established as Mount Pisgah Lodge Under Dispensation. At the 101st Annual Session of the Grand Lodge on June 5, 1946, the members of Mount Pisgah Lodge U.D. having shown suitable proficiency, were granted a Charter to work and act as Mount Pisgah Lodge No. 83. On October 18, 1946 at the Brooklyn Prince Hall Temple, which at the time was located at 1255 Bedford Ave., Brooklyn, the Lodge was officially chartered as Mount Pisgah Lodge No. 83. Its warrant was subsequently recalled by the Grand Lodge.

Mt. Zion Lodge #90
In 1947 with the intentions of becoming a part of the Prince Hall fraternity, another organization, under the jurisdiction of the Hiram Grand Lodge, that was known as Mount Zion Lodge sought information on becoming affiliated with the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of New York. Based on advice they received from members of the Prince Hall fraternity, they formed a Club, the Mount Zion Club. On April 24, 1948 the members of the club received the degrees of Masonry in an Occasional Grand Lodge. On June 12, 1948 at the 103rd Annual Session of the M.W.P.H. Grand Lodge of New York pursuant to the authority of M.W. Louis Fair, an Occasional Grand Lodge was convened and the members of the Mount Zion Club were placed Under dispensation as Mount Zion Lodge U.D. On October 15, 1948, at the Brooklyn Prince Hall Temple, with Grand Master Fair presiding and the Officers of the Grand Lodge present, the members of Mount Zion Lodge U.D. having shown suitable proficiency in the work, the Lodge was warranted as Mount Zion Lodge No. 90. The charter officers were: James Evangelist Frazier, Worshipful Master; Albert Johnson, Senior Warden; Alphonso Allen, Junior Warden; Nathaniel Tucker, Treasurer; Charles Mason, Financial Secretary; Roosevelt Abernathy, Recording Secretary; Boyce Brown, Senior Deacon and Thomas Futrell, Junior Deacon. Its warrant was subsequently recalled by the Grand Lodge.

Mt. Zion Chapter No, 59
During that same period, there were female relatives of the members of Mount Zion Lodge who were members of an Eastern Star Chapter, under the jurisdiction of the United Grand Chapter of New York, the female auxiliary of the Hiram Grand Lodge. With Mount Zion Lodge having become a part of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York, 14 members of that Mount Zion Chapter applied to Eureka Grand Chapter to be admitted as a Chapter. On June 5, 1951 during the second administration of Worthy Grand Matron, Sis Frances E. Francis and Worthy Grand Patron, Bro. Charles C. Quander, those females along with some members of Mount Zion Lodge No. 59 were chartered/warranted as Mount Zion Chapter No. 59, a subordinate Chapter of Eureka Grand Chapter. The first Worthy Matron of Mount Zion Chapter No 59 was Sis. Lillie Abernathy and the first Worthy Patron was Bro. James Evangelist Fraser. 


St. James Lodge #114
In June of 1979 Charles Simmons, acting as a representative of the members of a group known as St. James Lodge who were under the jurisdiction of an irregular organization known as the International Free and Accepted Modern Masons in Jamaica N.Y., sought information about gaining admission into the Prince Hall Masonic fraternity. He was referred to Past Grand Master William Jordan of the M.W.P.H.,G.L.-N.Y .. Based on P.G.M. Jordan's advice the group Simmons represented petitioned the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge for membership. Pursuant to an Occasional Grand Lodge convened on September 29, 1979 by M.W. Paul J. Cooper, Grand Master at the time presiding, fifteen {15) members of the group were raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. On March 1, 1980 the brethren previously raised on September 29, 1979 in an Occasional Grand Lodge, were at the direction of M.W. Cooper placed under dispensation as St. James Lodge U.D. On May 2, 1981, at an Occasional Grand Lodge convened at the direction of M.W. Cooper at the Brooklyn Prince Hall Temple, which by that time had been relocated to its current location, 70 Pennsylvania Ave., Brooklyn, the members of St. James Lodge U.D. were chartered/ warranted as St. James Lodge No. 114. The first officers of St. James Lodge No. 114 were: Charles Simmons, Worshipful Master; Edward E. Fulmore, Senior Warden and Richard S. Johnson, Junior Warden.

Emerald Chapter No. 81
On June 1, 1982 at the first Ladies Night program of St. James Lodge No. 114, the then District Deputy Grand Master, Esteban Castillo suggested to the female relatives of the members of the Lodge, that they consider the possibility of forming an Eastern Star Chapter. The Ladies considered the suggestion, and along with some female relatives of Widow Son’s Lodge No. 11, they formed a Club (the Emerald Club). On Saturday October 14, 1984 an Occasional Grand Chapter was convened at the Brooklyn Prince Hall Temple by Sis Alvia S. Jones of Electa Chapter No. 14, Worthy Grand Matron and Bro. Walter Howell of Gardenia Chapter No. 41, Worthy Grand Patron, at which time 40 members of the Emerald Club were initiated into the Order of the Eastern Star, and placed Under Dispensation as Emerald Chapter. On October 5, 1985 under the direction of Worthy Grand Matron, Alvia S. Jones and Worthy Grand Patron, Walter Howell, the members of Emerald Chapter U.D. were warranted as Emerald Chapter No. 81. The first officers of Emerald Chapter No. 81 were: Mary Boyd-Foy, Worthy Matron; Leo Johnson, Worthy Patron; Myrtle Spencer, Associate Matron; Alexandra Phips, Conductress; Patricia Bumbrey-Moore, Associate Conductress; Maxine Owens, Treasurer and Dorothy Harris, Secretary.

Epiphany Lodge #121
In the winter of 1969 a small group of brothers from Steadfast Lodge No. 683, which is located in Belize City, in the country of Belize, and who were residing in New York, met at the New York home of Bro. Hendicott Coye. The country of Belize is located immediately south of Mexico on the eastern coast of Central America on the Caribbean Sea. Steadfast Lodge No. 683, although located in Belize City, Belize is a subordinate Lodge of the M.W. Union Grand Lodge of the Jurisdiction of Florida, {PHA). The purpose of the meeting was to form a committee to assist any members of the Lodge who were traveling to New York from Belize in any way the committee saw fit. In January of 1978, Worshipful Master Dalton Usher of Steadfast Lodge No. 683 empowered the committee to act as the representatives of Steadfast Lodge No. 683 in the State of New York. under the guidance of M.W. Dr. Rudolph Bradley Grand Master of Union Grand Lodge at the time. As this could have been a violation of the exclusive territorial jurisdiction of the M.W.P.H., G.L.-N.Y., on November 20, 1979 the Secretary of the Committee wrote to M.W. Bradley requesting advice on the legality of the Committee, as they were a Committee of a Lodge under the jurisdiction of the Union Grand Lodge, and they were functioning within the geographical area of the MWPH,GL-NY. M.W. Bradley informed the committee that to avoid any conflicts, they should attempt to become affiliated with the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York .. In 1987 members of the committee met with Most Worshipful Solomon Wallace, Grand Master of Prince Hall Masons in the State of New York and advised him of their desire to become affiliated with the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York. He advised them to demit from Steadfast Lodge to any Lodge of their choice in the New York area. They at first considered demitting to Tuscan Lodge No. 58, a Lodge in the Second Masonic District, but after having second thoughts they reconsidered. In a subsequent meeting with M.W. Wallace, and with the advice and consent of the then Grand Master of Union Grand Lodge, M.W. George Washington 111, they decided to form a new lodge. On April 2, 1988 in an Occasional Grand Lodge convened pursuant to the authority of M.W. Wallace, they were placed under dispensation as Epiphany Lodge U.D .. On Saturday March 11, 1989, in an Occasional Grand Lodge convened by M.W. Wallace, Epiphany Lodge U.D. was chartered as Epiphany Lodge # 121.. The first officers of Epiphany Lodge No. 121 were Henry Nunez, Worshipful Master; Ralston Coye, Senior Warden; Ralph Carr, Junior Warden; Charles Smith, Treasurer and Charles Tucker, Secretary.

Louis Fair Jr. Lodge #122
In 1986, Brothers Herman Poyer, Hubert S. Williams, Alfonso Williams and Alonzo Ivery Jr., all of Trinity Lodge No. 51, a Lodge under the jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of New York, decided they wanted to start a new lodge in Brooklyn, They conferred with the then Grand Master, M.W. Soloman Wallace, who advised them to form a club and become non-affiliated Masons. Pursuant to the Grand Masters advice they formed a club, 'The Genial Gents' . They at first met at the home of Bro. Poyer, but as the membership of the Club grew, they changed the meeting place several times. Among them were: the Fountain Avenue Jewish Center, Wayside Baptist Church and finally at the Brooklyn Prince Hall Masonic Temple. On December 16, 1989, pursuant to the authority of M.W. Wallace they were placed Under Dispensation as Louis Fair Jr. Lodge U.D. The first officers were: Herman Poyer, Worshipful Master; Alonzo Ivery Jr., Senior Warden and Hubert Williams, Junior Warden. On June 20, 1992, with the advice and consent of the Grand Lodge, M.W. Wallace, Grand Master at the time presiding and with the members of the Grand Lodge present, chartered Louis Fair Jr. Lodge U.D. as Louis Fair Jr. Lodge No. 122,. The first officers of the Lodge after being chartered were: Bro. Herman Poyer, Worshipful Master; Bro. Alonzo Ivery Jr. Senior Warden and Bro. Hubert S. Williams Junior Warden.

Sons of Kings Lodge #123
Sons of Kings Lodge #123 is the newest Lodge in the Second Masonic District. It is composed of the former members of four lodges Dr. Martin Luther King Lodge No. 1, Sons of Timothy Lodge No.l, Kings County Lodge No. 1 and Westgate Lodge. These lodges are affiliated with an organization known as the New York State Grand Council A.A.S.R.M. and are under the Jurisdiction of The Supreme Council of America A.A.S.R.M., Inc, which is located at 317 Clermont Avenue Brooklyn, New York. Because of the dissatisfaction of the members of those lodges with their Jurisdiction, on June 21, 2002, they met to determine how they could best resolve their problems. Subsequently with the help of Right Worshipful Robert Hansley, a member of Meridian Lodge No. 93 of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of New York, they were able to arrange a meeting with the then Grand Master, M .. W. Daniel W. Simmons, of The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of New York and his cabinet. At the meeting it was decided that the interested members should petition the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge for membership. On October 26, 2002, in an Occasional Grand Lodge convened pursuant to the directions of M.W. Simmons, the three degrees were conferred on the interested members On November 8, 2002 P.G.M. Simmons and his cabinet placed the brothers who had received their degrees at the Occasional Grand Lodge on October 26, 2002, Under Dispensation, as Sons of Kings Lodge U.D. On Friday, September 10, 2004 M.W. Calvin Martin, Grand Master of the M.W.P.H.G.L of New York at the time presiding, officially chartered the members of Sons of Kings Lodge U.D. as Sons of Kings Lodge No. 123 .. The Charter officers were: Derek Pritchett, Worshipful Master; Barry Joseph White, Senior Warden; Dwight Reid, Junior Warden; Harris Grant, Treasurer and Damon Wright, Secretary.

The members of the Lodges of the Second Masonic District down through the years have been major contributors to the history and legacy of both the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of New York and the communities in which their Lodges are located. Among them were Dr. Peter Ray, a member of Stone Square Lodge No. 6, who served as Grand Master in 1868. He was an abolitionist, one of the first African American Surgeons in the U.S. Army Colored Troops in the Civil War, one of the founders of the Brooklyn College of Pharmacy of Long Island University. He was also one of the representatives of the Grand Lodge to the Centennial Celebration of Prince Hall Masonry in Boston Massachusetts in 1875. He was also one of the founding members of the Supreme Council of the United States, the Scottish Rite Masonic organization in the State of New York. Other notable former members of the Second District were Grand Master W.C.H. Curtis who presided over the merger of the two Grand Lodges in the State who at the time could've traced their lineage to African Lodge No. 459, Francis F. Giles of African 459 Lodge No. 63, who served as Grand Master in 1933 and was one of the Charter members of Long Island Consistory, No. 61, the Scottish Rite organization in the Valley of Brooklyn, Brother Edward A. Lawrence of Widow Sons Lodge No. 11 who served as Grand Master in 1957, and who presided over many of the Grand Lodge's projects in the area of Civil Rights in the late 1950's, Past Grand Master Paul J. Cooper of Widow Sons Lodge No. 11 who, because of his contributions to the Brooklyn community in the field of Human Resources and Mental Health, has had one of the largest providers in the Mental Health field in the area named in his honor. Another prominent former member of the Second Masonic District was former Deputy Grand Master, Harry A. Williamson, of Carthaginian Lodge No. 47. Bro. Williamson was one of the first of the Great Prince Hall researchers and bibliophiles. An acquaintance of Bro. Arthur Schomburg, he was primarily responsible for the Grand Lodges who can trace their lineage to the original African Lodge No. 459 of Boston, with the exception of the Massachusetts, Illinois, Florida and Mississippi adopting the title Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge. Massachusetts adopted the title in 1848 when it trisected the original African Lodge No. 459 to comply with the requirement for the formation of a Grand Lodge. Illinois and New York adopted the title in the early part of the 20th Century and Florida and Mississippi were legally prevented from adopting the title because it had been copy righted by bogus organizations in their respective states. Another prominent former member of the Second District was Bertrand Baker of Carthaginian Lodge No. 47. Bro. Baker, when elected a New York State Assemblyman, was the first African American to be elected to statewide office in the State of New York. It was one of Bro. Baker's many first. A former
columnist for the now defunct newspaper "The Brooklyn Eagle", he ultimately became the first African American to serve as the Speaker of the New York State Assembly. Although a listing of other prominent members of the District is too numerous to mention here, some other prominent members of the District included Bro. John Coleman, #47, the first African American to serve on the New York City Board of Education, Bro. Joscelyn Smith, #63, a New York State Supreme Court Justice and fifteen (15) term United States Congressman from the 10th Congressional District of New York, Bro. Edolphus Towns, #63. These are but a few of the many distinguished men and Masons who have been members of the Lodges in the Second Masonic District of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State and Jurisdiction of New York.

During the 109 year history of the Eastern Star Chapters’ existence in the Second District their members have served as the principal officers and/or made numerous significant contributions to Eureka Grand Chapter and the Prince Hall Affiliated Appendant Bodies in the State and Jurisdiction of New York. Among these were Sister Octavia Giles Stitt, Sunshine Chapter No. 34 (1940-42), Sister Gladys I. Jones, Victoria Chapter No. 45 (1976-78) and Sister Julia F. Holland Mount Zion Chapter No. 59 (2009-11), all of whom served as Grand Worthy Matrons in the years indicated. In addition to the exemplary service of our Sisters, the following Brothers, Roland R. Johnson Sunshine Chapter No. 34 (1938-40), Samuel I. Greene, Victoria Chapter No. 45 (1940-42), James Usher, Sunshine Chapter No. 34 (2002-04) and Bro. Harvey Ross of Sunshine Chapter No. 34 (2007-2009) all of whom served as Grand Worthy Patrons in the years indicated. Sis Bettie Barbour of Victoria Chapter No. 45, a Past Most Ancient Grand Matron, of the Prince Hall Grand Court, Heroines of Jericho and Past Royal Grand Perfect Matron of the Prince Hall Grand Court, Ladies of the Circle of Perfection who for her long years of service and dedication to the Prince Hall Fraternity was afforded the honor of being named Honorary Past Grand Worthy Matron of Eureka Grand Chapter, P.M. Patricia Bumbrey-Moore of Emerald Chapter No. 81, P.M. Phyllis Johnson and P.M Edna Mayfield both of Fidelity Chapter No. 54 are Honorary Past Imperial Commandresses, of the Imperial Court, Daughters of Isis. Other members of the Second District who have served as the principal officers of a Grand body are: P.M. Maxine Colden, of Mount Zion Chapter No. 59, who served as Most Ancient Grand Matron, of the Prince Hall Grand Court, Heroines of Jericho, P.M. Bobbie O’Garro, Mount Zion Chapter No. 59 who served as the Royal Grand Perfect Matron of the Prince Hall Grand Court, Ladies of the Circle of Perfection and Royal Grand Commandress of the Prince Hall Grand Court, Order of Cyrene. P.M. Grace H. Racker, Sunshine Chapter No. 34, P.M. Alexandra Phips, Emerald Chapter No. 81 and P.M. Minnie L. Hall, Mount Zion Chapter No. 59, all of whom served as State Grand Loyal Lady Rulers of the New York State Grand Assembly, Order of the Golden Circle. P.M. Laura Green and P.M. Hazel Searles of Mount Zion Chapter No. 59, both of whom served as Royal Grand Commandresses of the Prince Hall Grand Court, Order of Cyrene. P.M. Mary Boyd-Foy of Emerald Chapter No. 81 served as the Associate Grand Conductress of Eureka Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star of the State of New York, P.M. Dorothy Denard Williams served as the State Grand Loyal Lady Priestess of the New York State Grand Assembly, Ladies of the Golden Circle, P.M. Mary Glover, Sunshine Chapter No. 34 served as the Vice Most Ancient Grand Matron of the Most Ancient Grand Court, Heroines of Jericho of the State of New York. P.M. Glover also served as the Royal Grand Martha of the Prince Hall Grand Court, Order of Cyrene of the State of New York. Last but not least, Sis Ruth Ellerbee of Fidelity Chapter No. 54 served as the 43rd Imperial Commandress of the Imperial Court, Daughters of Isis, the Auxiliary of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.