On January 6,
1983, The National Supreme Council of America granted a charter to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lodge No. 769 occurred when several
members formally of Israelite Lodge No. 468 also working under the auspices of the National Supreme
Council of America, decided to begin their own lodge and formed, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lodge No. 769. From 1
983-1993, Dr. Martin Luther King Lodge Jr. No. 769 had 5 Worshipful Masters in its 10-years of
existence under the National Supreme Council. During the 1993 National Convention of the National Supreme Council, members from various lodges throughout the country became disenchanted with the workings of the National Supreme Council. On the 8th day of December 1993, the Supreme Council of America A.A.S.R.M. Inc. was formed. Several lodges formally under the National Supreme Council of America requested charters from the newly formed Supreme Council of America. In December 1993, the name of the lodge was amended from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lodge No. 769 to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lodge No. 1
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lodge No. 1, Brooklyn, NY received their charter from the Supreme Council of
America on August 19, 1994. The first Worshipful Master of Dr. Martin Luther King Dr. Lodge No. 1 was
Christopher Baxter. The names, which appear on the Charter from the Supreme Council of America, are
Worshipful Master Christopher Baxter, Senior Warden Jean Daniel Florestan, Junior Warden Lany
Wortham, Secretary Markeith Eley, Treasurer Derek Pritchett, Orator Henry Delsion, Master of Experts
Albert Kelly and Master of Ceremonies Steve Deslandes. Brother Baxter held the position of Worshipful Master from 1993- 2003 when the Lodge's 2nd
Worshipful Master took over Brother Jean Daniel Florestan. Under the leadership of both Past Master
Christopher Baxter and Worshipful Master Jean Daniel Florestan, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lodge No. 1
has flourished to be one of the most well respected lodges not only in Brooklyn, New York, but also
across the country. The lodge holds true to the original values and principles of Masonry. While in our short history there
have been some trials and tribulations. The lodge has endured and built a reputation as one of the most
knowledgeable Masonic Lodges in our national organization. The lodge is often called to conduct
opening ceremonies on both state and national levels as well as Masonic instructions. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lodge No. 1 is a staple within the Brooklyn community. We strive with a focus
on education because children are our future. We are taking the lead in charity by helping to prepare
the future leaders of tomorrow. We welcome the regal minded but pause the just curious because the
commitment is taken by us to be a serious one.
