PRINCE HALL LODGE NO. 61

     The Grand York Rite Body convened on December 29, 1874 in Petersburg, Virginia with a total of fourteen Lodges represented. Lodges# 1,2,3,6,7 and 8 were located in Petersburg, VA.; Lincoln #4 in Alexandria, VA.; Lodges # 5,9,11, and 13 in Richmond, VA.; and Lodges # 10 and 14 in Lynchburg, VA. In 1890, the Grand Lodge convened at Petersburg, VA., by then there were sixty lodges on the record, Prince Hall Lodge No. 61 was under dispensation of the Most Worshipful Grand Master James H. Hayes. Prince Hall Lodge No. 61 of Fredericksburg, VA was issued a Charter on November 6, 1891, with the following officers and members on the rolls.

 

Officers

Worshipful Master - Rev. J. E. Brown

Senior Warden - Rev. Albert Ray         Junior Warden - Matthew Garnett

Treasurer - Stapleton Miller                   Secretary - E.L. Washington

Senior Deacon - A.U. Taylor                 Junior Deacon - James D. Johnson

Chaplain - Joseph Walker                   Tiler - Robert Wright
 

The Officers held their stations until 1892

 

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Members THEN:

Spencer Lewis, S. Charles Willis, James Anderson, Solomon Willis, Evans WormleyJoseph Walker, Warren Thrashley, John Lucas, William White, Lindsey Robinson, & John Russell

    

     In 1899, a petition was favorably received from Mr. Warren W. Lee to become a Master Mason in Prince Hall No. 61. He later became Grand Lecturer for the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge and in 1934 was elected Most Worshipful elected Most Worshipful Grand Master (Served two years). There have been over sixty (60) Worshipful Masters of the Lodge to date. Its membership consists of approximately 60 members. These men come from all walks of life; ministers, doctors teachers, politicians, tradesmen, military, government employees (federal, local, and state), and so forth. For over eighty years the lodge did not own a building. At the settlement of Pitts Estate and Enterprises, the site at 609 Sophia Street was purchased and being renovated. There are still active brothers in the Lodge that worked long tiring hours to make the Lodge what it is today.

     This is the present site/location (3418 Shannon Park Dr. Fredericksburg VA) for Prince Hall Lodge No.61 and hosts the members of Celestia Chapter No.38 - Order of the Eastern Star PHA, Warren W. Lee No.72 - Holy Royal Arch Masons, Hiram Abiff Council No.7 - Royal & Select Masters, Solomon Temple No.40 - Knights Templar, Fredericksburg Consistory No. 346 - Scottish Rite, Pride of Celestia Youth Department, and Alwina Court No.6 - Lady of the Circle Perfection.

 

     Today, we are proud that the brothers before us left a legacy to uphold and build upon. The Worshipful Masters, officers and members continue to work harmoniously in every endeavor to dispense faith, hope, and charity by diligently aiding those that are less fortunate. We continue to uphold the charter from The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Virginia, Inc. as well as its constitution. As we move forward, we must carry the torch of the brothers who paved the way by leaving the working tools for the building in our care.

 

Therefore, we must continue to work in peace and let every moral and social virtue cement us!!! 

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