Brooklyn District Grand Jurisdiction
A Divisional Branch
IUOM FS Western Hemisphere Incorporation
In 1956, after almost fifteen years operating under its original Dispensation and in isolation within the New York Metropolitan area, the Brooklyn District Grand Lodge #1 under the leadership of the Hon. Charles Peters DGM, petitioned the Executive Committee of Grand Council to be amalgamated with the Western Hemisphere.
The soon to be long process of negotiation began when Bro. Charles Peters, then District Grand Master of the Brooklyn District Grand Lodge #1 appointed a delegation, under the Chairmanship of Bro. Jeffers Dalmanuther Thorne with the following members, Bro. James Barry, Bro. Gladstone Hinkson and Bro Alphaeus Jellicoe Nimrod as Secretary to meet with a delegation from Grand Council and to negotiate the terms and processes of the amalgamation of the District into full relationship with the Western hemisphere.
The delegation appointed by the Grand Council to represent the Order was led by a three-man delegation under the Chairmanship of Hon. Allan E, Lewis Grand Deputy Master of the Order, Hon. Noel Phillips and Hon. Clayton C. Stamford, as Secretary The negotiations between Grand Council and the Brooklyn District delegations lasted for seven years. Then, on March 18, 1963, the Brooklyn District Grand Jurisdiction was finally inducted a Division of the Independent United Order of Mechanics Friendly Society, Western Hemisphere Inc., and received its new Dispensation from the Executive Committee of Grand Council.
At the induction ceremony of the Brooklyn District Grand Lodge #1, the following were installed as the inaugural Officers of the Brooklyn District Grand Lodge #1, under the Dispensation of the Western Hemisphere:
Bro. Charles Peters D.G.M.
Bro. Jeffers D. Thorn DGDM
Bro. John Stephens D. G. Secretary
Bro. Aubrey McNaughton D.G. Treasurer
Bro. Milton Bryant D.G.S.D
Bro. Theophilus Baptiste D.G.J.D
Bro. Gladstone Hinkson D.G. Tyler
Bro. Septimus Sawney Inn. Guard
Bro. Joseph Forde D.G.O.G.
Bro. Wesley Tamar Conductor
Bro. James Barry Conductor
Bro. Alphaeus J. Nimrod D.G. Reorder
Shortly after the amalgamation with the Western Hemisphere, the Loyal Mizpah Lodge #16 and Perseverance Lodge # 4 became defunct, and the existence of Brooklyn District Grand Lodge #1 was again threatened, having lost the required number of Units to remain a viable District Grand Lodge. With this threat in mind, Bro. Jeffers D. Thorne immediately began to organize the Excelsior Association to meet the required minimum number of Units. Then, on May 29, 1965, the Excelsior Chapter No. 1, was inaugurated as a member Unit of the Brooklyn District, thereby satisfying the four Units requirements as directed by Grand Council. Shortly thereafter, Bro. Sydney Parker Wildman P.D.G.M. began to organize the Pride of Brooklyn Lodge #8 sponsored by Blazing Star Lodge #7 and the Pearl of Brooklyn Chapter #2, sponsored by Excelsior Chapter #2, inaugurated October 31, 1966.
The District continued with its rapid expansion beginning with the Glen of Brooklyn Lodge #9 and the Glen of Brooklyn Chapter #3, organized by Bro. Alfred Mark P.D.G.M, visiting from the Trinidad and Tobago District Grand Lodge, and sponsored by Pride Lodge #8 and the Pearl Chapter#2 respectively, inaugurated February 3, 1974;
Mt. Horeb Lodge # 10 in Boston, MA, organized by Bro. Anthony Albon Peters, sponsored by Blazing Star Lodge #7, inaugurated March 26, 1977.
Then were the Rising Star Chapter # 5 in Boston, MA, organized by Bro. Anthony Albon Peters, sponsored by Excelsior Chapter #1, inaugurated November 10, 1979.
Triumphant Star Lodge # 11 and Triumphant Star Chapter #4 organized by Bro. Septimus Sawney P.D.G.M. and sponsored by Glen of Brooklyn Lodge #9 and Glen of Brooklyn Chapter #3 respectively, inaugurated February 18th, 1979.
The Bronx Mizpah Chapter # 6 organized by Bro. Fred Boatswain Bro and Sis. Ena Benjamin and sponsored by Glen of Brooklyn Chapter #3, inaugurated October 17, 1982.
Star of Bethlehem Lodge #12 and the Star of Bethlehem Chapter #7 organized by Bro. Edward F. Barrow and Bro Herman Williams; and sponsored by Brooklyn Pride Lodge #8 and Triumphant Star Chapter #4 respectively; inaugurated August 7, 1983.
Bronx Mizpah Lodge #14 organized by Bro. Herman Spencer and sponsored by Glen of Brooklyn Lodge #9; inaugurated May 19, 1985.
Mt Sinai Lodge #15, organized by Bro. Eric Smith P.D.G.M. and sponsored by Blazing Star Lodge #7; inaugurated December 13, 1987.
King Solomon Lodge # 5 and Rachael Chapter #5 organized by Bro. Edgar Craigg and sponsored by inaugurated in 1998.
Rose of Sharon Chapter #8 organized by and inaugurated March 21, 1992
Brooklyn District Past Matron Conclave inducted May 4, 1988
Brooklyn District Past Illustrative Grand Conclave inducted April, 2010
Esther Past Matron Conclave #2 inaugurated January 13, 1990
St. John’s Grand Christian Encampment #1 inaugurated September 24, 1989
Brooklyn District Youth Sector inducted
St Peter’s Grand Christian Encampment #1
St John’s Grand Christian Encampment #1
St. Theresa’s Grand Christian Encampment #1 inaugurated September 24, 1999
College of Past Grand Masters
Grand Council created a New Divisional Branch of the Order called the College of Past Grand Master for qualified Past Grand Masters of the Order to be the reservoir of knowledge and from which the Grand Jurisdiction and its membership can be enriched in the arts and science of Mechanism.
The College of Past Grand Masters, Brooklyn Jurisdiction was inducted in September 1994 and given its authority by the Executive Committee of Grand Council. The inaugural Patriarch of the College was the Venerable Theophilus Baptiste. Successive Patriarch were Ven. Winston Gaskin, Ven. Hubert Belgrave and Ven. Ancil J. Harding.
Members of the College included the follows:
Ven. Ancil J. Harding PGM Patriarch
Ven. Orton Guy PGM Dean
Ven. Joel Jack PGM Scribe
Ven. Denzil S Clarke PGM
Ven. Sherlock Coppin PGM
Ven. Adrian Watts PGM
Ven. John Kerr PGM
Ven. Edward F. Barrow PGM