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HISTORY OF JOB GRAND LODGE |
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| HOME | In the year of our Lord, nineteen hundred, fifty-two Brother Raymond DeLoach and Sister Elizabeth Terry came to Newark, New Jersey with the idea and determination to set up a Masonic organization under the charter of International Free and Accepted Modern Masons. In 1952 the idea materialized with Freestone Lodge #1 and Lady Martha Chapter #2. The Joint council was created with Bro Ollie J. Vinning as its President. In 1954 the first church turn out was held at St. James A.M.E. Church 1955 Job Grand Lodge and Bethune Grand Chapter became a reality. Bro Joseph White was elected the first Grand Master and Bro Joshua Landrum as the Deputy Grand Master. Brother White served two terms, with the help of several Deputies by 1956 Job Grand Lodge grew to nine Lodges in the following cities, Newark, Linden, Plainfield, Jersey City, Trenton, Matawan, East Orange, Paterson and Hoboken. Bethune Grand Chapter grew to thirteen Chapters during the same period. 1956 Bro John Cooper was elected Grand Master and served for a period of one year. 1959 Bro Samuel McCarthy was elected Grand Master in Jersey City, NJ and served for a period of two years. 1960 Bro George Demerest was elected Grand Master and served one year. During his administration Job Grand Lodge and Bethune Grand Chapter's Charters were unveiled at a church service in Trenton, NJ. The first temple was located at 248 Fairmont Avenue in Newark, NJ. 1961 Bro Joseph White was reelected to serve as Grand Master, and served one term. 1962 Bro David L. Lewis was elected Grand Master in Trenton, serving two terms. During his administration Bro Lewis started The Grand Master and Grand Matron Ball, a week of Revival services to be held once a year, and envisioned St. John's Day. 1964 Bro Clifford Alford was elected Grand Master at the State Convention in Jersey City, NJ. Bro Alford served four terms. 1968 Bro William Rutledge was elected Grand Master in Lakewood, NJ serving three terms. Bro Rutledge had served as Most Excellent Grand High Priest prior to becoming Grand Master. Bro Rutledge instituted a program to purchase a larger building which is now the home of Job Grand Lodge and Bethune Grand Chapter (203 Johnson Ave). 1971 Bro Leroy Hudson Nevius was elected Grand Master, serving four terms. Bro Nevius was the first Grand Master to preside over St John's Day, fulfilling Past Grand Master Lewis' dream. not forgetting the mention of St. John's Day as suggested by the late Past Grand Master Bro Lewis, started it off with the first St. John's Day being held in Newark. Bro Nevius Resigned his post as Grand Master when he was elected to National District Grand Master, leaving his Deputy Bro Willie J. Lynn to serve the remainder of his term. 1975 Bro Willie J. Lynn was elected Grand Master serving 3 terms. Bro Lynn served until 1978. 1978 Bro Samuel Eason became Grand Master in and for the State of New Jersey selecting as his Deputy Bro Howard. 1980 Bro Edward Howard was elected Grand Master and presided for 8 terms. His Deputy was Bro Charlie Knight 1988 Bro Charlie Knight was elected Grand Master and presides until this day. ILL. Paul E.Clemons is his trusty Deputy. 2003 ILL. Paul Clemons resigned as Deputy Grand Master for health reasons. ILL James Holmes was appointed by the Most Worshipful Grand Master to succeed Bro Clemons. 2004 With the death of ILL. James Holmes the Most Worshipful Grand Master appointed Bro. Perry Rice from Absalom of David No. 36 to become the next Deputy Grand Master. Bro Rice now serves the ILL. Charlie Knight in his final year as The Most Worshipful Grand Master of Job Grand Lodge. Copyright © 2003 by Absalom of David. All rights reserved. |