06/16/2026
The Grand Lodge of Alabama was established..kind of! Below are some screenshots from the proceedings. Here is what our team deciphered:
The document records the proceedings of a multi-day convention held in Cahawba, Alabama (in the Halo Lodge Room), starting June 11, 1821, where delegates from existing Masonic lodges in the state met to form a Grand Lodge of Alabama.
▪️June 11: Delegates from several lodges (Halo No. 21, Madison No. 21, St. Stephens, Rising Virtue No. 30, Alabama No. 51, Farrar No. 41, and others) assembled. The meeting was adjourned to allow more attendees.
▪️June 12: The convention formally resolved that it was "expedient" to establish a Grand Lodge of Master Masons for Alabama. A committee was appointed to draft a Constitution. Officers were then elected: Thomas W. Farrar as Most Worshipful Grand Master, along with Senior and Junior Grand Wardens, Secretary, and Treasurer.
▪️June 13–14: The Constitution was debated, amended, and finalized. On the afternoon of June 14, the elected officers were installed "in Ample and Solemn Form," additional officers were appointed, and the Constitution was formally presented and recommended for adoption. This marked the effective formation and constitution of the Grand Lodge.
▪️June 15: The new Grand Lodge adopted a resolution accepting the surrender of existing lodge charters/dispensations and re-issuing them under its jurisdiction with new numbering (e.g., Madison Lodge as No. 1, etc.).
The document ends with the new lodges being chartered under the newly formed Grand Lodge.
When was the Grand Lodge of Alabama actually formed? June 14, 1821 (A.L. 5821).
This is the date the officers were formally installed in solemn Masonic form, the Constitution was presented to the body, and the Grand Lodge began operating as such. While the convention began on June 11 and continued through June 15 with organizational steps and charter re-issuances, June 14 is the pivotal day of official formation and installation.
Hope this clarifies some things!
