grand master of masons in virginia
Grand Master of Masons in Virginia Congratulates Grand Lodge of DC on Bicentennial Address by MWB John Mason Chambliss, Jr., Grand Master of Masons of the Commonwealth of Virginia to the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia on the occasion of its Bicentennial Celebration Banquet on February 12, 2011.
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bring fraternal greetings and congratulations to the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia from the 39,000 Masons of the Grand Lodge of Virginia as you celebrate your 200th Anniversary. This momentous occasion points out the spirit of cooperation enjoyed between our two Grand Lodges at that time which continues to thrive today. During the early years of the Federal District, there were three Masonic Lodges operating in the area: Lodge No. 9 of Georgetown and Lodge No. 15 of the City of Washington which were chartered by the Grand Lodge of Maryland and Alexandria Lodge No. 22 chartered by the Grand Lodge of Virginia. The Freemasons of the area had publicly participated in cornerstone laying and other public ceremonies including the laying out of the boundary of the District which encompassed 100 square miles.
appropriate and desirable to consider plans for an independent Grand Lodge. Alexandria, because of its history and standing with the Grand Lodge of Virginia, chose to remain with the Grand Lodge of Virginia; however, Brooke Lodge met with the four Maryland lodges on December 11, 1810, to discuss the advisability of proceeding with plans for establishing and organizing a Grand Lodge in and for said District.
The original officers elected for the new Grand Lodge would include one representative from each of the original lodges and the representative from Brooke Lodge No. 47 from Virginia was RW John Kinkaid who was elected as RW Deputy Grand Master. By the meeting of February 19, 1811, Brother Kinkaid had passed away and RW John Richards, also of Brooke Lodge, was elected to replace him. The Grand On November 26, 1796, the Secretary reported that Grand Lodge of Virginia copies of the proceedings chartered Brooke Lodge of the previous meeting No. 47 at Alexandria in had been forwarded to the honor of the Grand Mas- MWB John Mason Chambliss, Jr., Grand Master of Grand Lodges of Maryland ter of that year. The Lodge Masons of the Commonwealth of Virginia and Virginia, together with built its own lodge hall but an explanatory letter in continued to enjoy friendly relations with Alexandria which he had made the request that the five lodges Lodge and often joined in processions, celebrations, be permitted to retain possession of the charters and banquets. Brooke Lodge was to become one of under which they were each then working. the lodges participating in the formation of the Grand The Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia was Lodge of the District of Columbia. then opened for the first time in ample form. By the beginning of 1811, six lodges were The seniority of the original lodges was working within the area of the District based on the dates of the charters under and the people were aware of the which each was then working and identity of the District being separate Brooke Lodge from Virginia became from the other states and deemed it Brooke Lodge No. 2. (This Lodge closed in 1833.) continued on page 30
The Voice of Freemasonry
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