|
“Today, we are celebrating a 150 years as a black fraternal
organization. We are about service and expect to continue
our vital partnerships with the community,” explained Mark
Craig McBee, Worshipful Master of Amazon Lodge No. 4
Mark McBee, the Worshipful Master, extended the formal
welcome to lodge brothers, sisters of the Eastern Star and
guests as William Heath presented musical selections for the
audience. Charles Allen facilitated special presentations
and Darryl Smith delivered the program speech.
“Back in the time of civil rights, Prince Hall Masons were
important in this moment in history. Prince Hall is over 239
years old as an organization and 150 years in Ohio. Since
Ohio is the seventh oldest Prince Hall Lodge in the country.
We as Masons deal with civil rights and human rights,” said
Smith, Most Worshipful Grand Master of Grand Lodge of Ohio.
The history of Amazon Lodge includes various milestones: in
1890, the lodge rented rooms for meeting locations on
Superior Street, then moved eventually to their current
location on University Street. Amazon Lodge also has
appendant Masonic orders of Capitular Royal Arch Masons,
Cryptic Royal and Select Masters, Chivalric Knights Templar,
Scottish Rite, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and Order of the
Eastern Star.
“Masonry is a way of life for me. It saved my life as a
young black man. It gave me direction and pride when I
learned our history and our contributions to the growth of
this nation,” said Smith.
The program booklet extended acknowledgements from Alpha
Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Zeta Alpha Omega Chapter, Belle Z
Ballard Girls Assembly No. 6, The C. Brown Funeral Home,
Inc. & Preneed Center, Composite Lodge No. 108, Dale-Riggs
Funeral Home, Inc; Ohio State Senator Edna Brown, Golden
Square Lode No. 23, Gould Development Company, LLC, House of
Day Funeral Services, Jewel Chapter No 20, King Solomon
Lodge, No. 87, Mecca Court No. 73, Poddemeyer Design Group,
St. Matthews Consistory No. 24, The Toledo Chapter of Jack
and Jill of America, Inc; Toledo Yoke Rite Bodies, and
additional individual remarks.
Pictures
·
John Covington Sr, Mark Craig McBee, Bernadette Graham, Rev.
James Willis, Sr, First Lady Willis, Medoria Smith, Darryl
Smith, Clarissa Ledger, Mark Ledger,
·
Medoria Smith and Darryl Smith
·
Mark Craig McBee and Bernadette Graham
·
James Hopkins, Treasurer of Amazon Lodge No.4
|
