04/29/2026
Honoring Ohio’s Pilgrimage to the Mother Jurisdiction: A Reflection on Legacy and Continuity
The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio, under the leadership of the 67th MWGM Honorable Maurio D. Powell, I, proudly acknowledges the distinguished Brothers of this great Jurisdiction who pilgrimaged to the Jurisdiction Massachusetts and the City of Boston—the cradle of our Masonic origin—to participate in the 12th Biennial Reopening of African Lodge No. 459, hosted by the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.
African Lodge No. 459 occupies a singular and sacred position in the historical landscape of African American fraternal life. Its genesis on September 29, 1784 when Prince Hall and fourteen free Black men were initiated in Boston, represents not merely the founding of a lodge, but the emergence of a transformative institution that has shaped Black civic leadership, intellectual tradition, and communal responsibility for nearly two and a half centuries. The legacy born in that moment continues to inform our identity, our moral charge, and our collective labor as Prince Hall Masons.
The presence of the Jurisdiction of Ohio Brothers at this historic reenactment stands as a testament to our enduring commitment to historical preservation, jurisdictional fellowship, and the sacred duty of honoring the lineage from which we descend. By returning to the site of our institutional birth, we reaffirm our connection to the struggles, triumphs, and visionary leadership that define Prince Hall Masonry.
We extend profound gratitude to every brother who represented the MWPHGLOH with dignity, discipline, and pride. Your willingness to step away from professional obligations and family responsibilities to participate in this commemoration reflects a deep reverence for our shared heritage and an unwavering dedication to the Craft.
2026 African Lodge No. 459 Reenactment
April 22–25, 2026 — Boston, Massachusetts
67th MWGM Maurio Powell, I
RW Alan D. Tucker, Grand Treasurer
RW Traylon Smith, GLDF
RW Sephan Frazier
RW Sir Carrington Melton
RW Eugene Greenfield
RW Robert LeSure
RW Royston Snowden
RW Kenneth Rhynehardt
RW Julian Harper
WM Robert L. Ferguson Sr.
WM Craig A. Anderson, Jr.
Bro. Dustyn Stevens
Bro. Abdur Siddiq
Bro. Fernando Smith
Bro. Demarcus Calhoun
Bro. Elvis Terron
Bro. Issac Moore
Bro. Travis Johnson
PM Sam Rucker
PM Fernando A. Smith
PM Steven Alston
PM Gordon Amegboh
Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio F&AM
OES - Amaranth Grand Chapter, Inc. PHA - State of Ohio