Information, Definition, History, and Legacy
Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodges
An information and history resource for the Prince Hall Affiliated Grand Lodges and Jurisdictions of the United States of America, and for Prince Hall Affiliated Freemasonry.
What Is a Grand Lodge?
A Grand Lodge is the supreme Masonic authority within its jurisdiction, which in the United States is usually a single state. It grants charters to local lodges, sets the laws they work under, safeguards the ritual, and speaks for the Craft within its territory.
Local lodges, often called Blue Lodges, are where Masons are made and where most Masonic life happens. The Grand Lodge is the body that brings those lodges together under one government, so that every lodge in the jurisdiction works by the same laws and the same standards.
In Prince Hall Affiliated Freemasonry there is no national Grand Lodge over the states. Each Prince Hall Grand Lodge is sovereign, answerable to its own membership and to the Landmarks of the Order.
Autonomy and Unity
Prince Hall Freemasonry in America rests on a balance. Every Grand Lodge governs itself, and yet all of them stand together as one family.
Autonomy
Sovereign in its jurisdiction- Writes and amends its own constitution and laws
- Elects its own Grand Master and officers
- Charters, governs, and disciplines its own lodges
- Decides for itself which Grand Lodges it recognizes
THE LANDMARKS
Unity
United by recognition- Shares the same Landmarks, degrees, and lineage
- Extends mutual recognition and fraternal amity
- Welcomes visiting Brothers from recognized jurisdictions
- Meets with its peers in the Conference of Grand Masters
What connects a sovereign Grand Lodge to its sister Grand Lodges is not a higher authority. It is a shared, faithful adherence to the Landmarks of Masonry, and the recognition that each extends to the others because of it.
The Landmarks of Masonry
The Landmarks are the ancient and unchangeable principles of Freemasonry. No Grand Lodge may alter them. A Grand Lodge that keeps them is regarded as regular, and regularity is the basis on which Grand Lodges recognize one another.
- Belief in a Supreme BeingNo man may be made a Mason without it.
- The Volume of the Sacred LawIt lies open upon the altar in every lodge at labor.
- Qualifications of a CandidateA man, freeborn, of mature age, and of good report.
- The Three DegreesEntered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason, with the legend of the Third Degree.
- Government by a Grand MasterThe Craft is governed by a Grand Master, elected by his Brethren.
- Representation and AppealEvery lodge may be represented in Grand Lodge, and every Mason may appeal to it.
- Non-InterferenceNo lodge or Grand Lodge may interfere in the business of another.
- Subject to Local LawEvery Mason is subject to the Masonic laws of the jurisdiction in which he resides.
Each Grand Lodge adopts its own statement of the Landmarks. Many American Grand Lodges draw on Albert G. Mackey’s widely cited list of twenty-five. The eight shown here are principles common to most such lists.
What a Grand Lodge Does
Practices vary from one jurisdiction to the next, but most Prince Hall Grand Lodges carry out the same core responsibilities.
Charters Lodges
Issues dispensations to new lodges, grants charters, and may suspend or revoke a charter when a lodge fails to meet its obligations.
Makes and Interprets Law
Maintains a constitution, general regulations, and a digest of decisions, and serves as the final court for Masonic trials and appeals.
Guards the Ritual
Keeps the work uniform across its lodges through the Grand Lecturer, schools of instruction, and Masonic education.
Oversees the Lodges
Organizes lodges into districts, each overseen by a District Deputy Grand Master who visits, inspects records, and reports to the Grand Master.
Leads in Relief and Service
Directs charity, scholarships, and community programs, and supports widows, orphans, and distressed Brothers.
Conducts Fraternal Relations
Decides questions of recognition, exchanges Grand Representatives, and corresponds with sister Grand Lodges.
Where the Grand Lodge Meets
Once a year, the Grand Lodge assembles in its Annual Communication, often called the Grand Session. This is where the voice of every lodge is heard and the business of the jurisdiction is decided.
- 1
Credentials and Opening
Delegates are seated and the Grand Lodge is opened in ample form.
- 2
Grand Master’s Address
A report on the state of the Craft, with decisions and dispensations issued during the year.
- 3
Reports
Grand Officers, districts, and committees account for their work.
- 4
Legislation
Amendments, resolutions, and the budget are debated and voted on.
- 5
Election and Installation
Grand Officers are elected or appointed and installed for the coming term.
The Grand Officers
Titles, terms, and duties are set by each Grand Lodge’s own constitution. The roles below reflect the typical structure.
The Grand Master
The Grand Master is the highest officer of the jurisdiction and the chief guardian of its laws, ritual, and Landmarks. He presides over the Annual Communication, rules on questions of Masonic law between sessions, grants dispensations, and speaks for his Grand Lodge in its relations with sister Grand Lodges.
His jewel of office, worn with the purple and gold of the Grand Lodge, marks the authority entrusted to him by the Brethren who elected him.
| Office | Typical Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Grand MasterElected | Chief executive and presiding officer of the jurisdiction. Rules on questions of Masonic law between sessions, issues dispensations and edicts, and represents the Grand Lodge to other Grand Lodges. |
| Deputy Grand MasterElected | Assists the Grand Master and acts in his place when he is absent or unable to serve. |
| Senior Grand WardenElected | Assists in governing the Grand Lodge and often oversees assigned programs or committees. |
| Junior Grand WardenElected | Assists in governing the Grand Lodge and supports the work of the senior officers. |
| Grand TreasurerElected | Receives and safeguards the funds of the Grand Lodge and reports on its finances. |
| Grand SecretaryElected | Keeps the records, membership rolls, and correspondence of the Grand Lodge, and publishes its proceedings. |
| Grand ChaplainAppointed | Leads the Grand Lodge in prayer and attends to its spiritual observances. |
| Grand LecturerAppointed | Teaches and preserves the standard ritual and conducts schools of instruction. |
| Grand MarshalAppointed | Directs processions, ceremonies, and the order of the Grand Lodge. |
| Grand Deacons and StewardsAppointed | Assist in the ceremonies and floor work of the Grand Lodge. |
| Grand TilerAppointed | Guards the door and ensures only qualified Brethren enter. |
| District Deputy Grand MastersAppointed | Serve as the Grand Master’s representatives in each district, visiting and inspecting lodges. |
Whether an office is elected or appointed differs by jurisdiction. Many Grand Lodges also appoint Grand Representatives to sister Grand Lodges.
How Autonomy Is Respected
Sovereignty is not just a principle on paper. It shows up in the everyday customs that govern how Grand Lodges and their members relate to one another.
- Territorial JurisdictionA Grand Lodge charters lodges only within its own territory, and does not make Masons of men who live in another jurisdiction without that jurisdiction’s consent.
- Recognition Is Each Grand Lodge’s ChoiceNo outside body can require a Grand Lodge to recognize another. Each makes that decision under its own laws.
- Visitors Follow the HostA visiting Brother abides by the laws, customs, and dress of the jurisdiction he visits, not those of his home Grand Lodge.
- Courtesy Work by RequestWhen a lodge in one jurisdiction confers degrees for another, it does so only at the other’s formal request.
- Grand RepresentativesGrand Lodges exchange representatives who maintain communication and goodwill between sovereign bodies.
- A Conference, Not a GovernmentThe Conference of Grand Masters of Prince Hall Masons is a forum for fellowship and common concerns. It does not govern any Grand Lodge.
From the Blue House to the Grand Lodge
Regalia marks where a Brother serves. Customs differ by jurisdiction, but the colors below are common across Prince Hall Masonry.
The Blue House
In the local lodge, Brothers wear blue, white, and black, with officers’ jewels in silver or gold.
The Grand Lodge
Grand Lodge Officers wear purple and gold regalia and gold jewels, with black suits and ties.
From One Lodge to Many Grand Lodges
Every Prince Hall Grand Lodge traces its lineage to a single lodge in Boston.
The Premier Grand Lodge of England charters African Lodge, later No. 459, with Prince Hall as Master.
The lodges of Boston, Philadelphia, and Providence form the African Grand Lodge.
African Grand Lodge takes the name Prince Hall Grand Lodge in honor of its founder.
More than forty sovereign Prince Hall Grand Lodges serve jurisdictions across the United States and abroad.
PHA Grand Lodge Directory
Visit the official website of any Prince Hall Affiliated Grand Lodge, organized by jurisdiction.
Open the Directory