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Friday, July 17, 2020

Nebraska's Prince Hall Grand Lodge Building Vandalized


by Christopher Hodapp

 The Omaha headquarters of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Nebraska was vandalized and robbed last Monday night. According to a report on KETV-7, a brick was thrown through the glass front door of the 100-year old Masonic hall, and thieves then entered the building.


In addition to the shattered door, MW Grand Master Freddie L. Clopton, Jr. reports that swords and robes were stolen from the lodge room, which usually points to bored teenagers in these cases. (The TV station misspelled his name on the chyron.) But Grand Master Clopton had a remarkably sanguine and charitable response to the TV reporter on Thursday when asked about the damage. "Hopefully the person who did that – if there's anything we can do to help, that's what we're about."

The reporter was a bit hyperbolic describing the items as 'sacred.' They are merely used in putting on the ceremonial degrees of Freemasonry, but are by no means considered to be 'sacred.' Masonry is not a religion, nor are Masonic ceremonies religious in nature. The Prince Hall brethren would simply like their items returned. 



The north Omaha Prince Hall building is also home to a chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Joshua David Kelley Consistory No. 27 of the United Supreme Council of Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite NMJ (PHA), and Zaha Temple No. 52 AEANOMS.

 The MWPHGL of Nebraska has been raising money to help repair and renovate their historic hall, so this damage and burglary comes at a lousy time for them. If you are so inclined, they have a GoFundMe fundraising campaign going on at this time.

Back on June 12th, GM Clopton and Grand Master Ronald D. Stites of the Grand Lodge F&AM of Nebraska issued a joint message about recent violence and demonstrations across the country. "We do not approve of the hatred of racial discrimination or the destructive actions we have seen," they wrote. "But we do approve of emulating the brotherhood Masonry is built upon. We stand together as a sacred Brotherhood."


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3 comments:

  1. Bro Albert C Johnson 32Tue Jul 21, 07:11:00 PM 2020

    The Masonic Temple in Sacramento, California was vandalized as well during the BLM uprising. Bro Albert C. Johnson, Philomathean Lodge #2, Sacramento, California

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bro. Paul RichWed Jul 22, 01:37:00 PM 2020

    It would perhaps be a nice gesture if one of the lodges that is giving up its building offered its furnishing to the PH grand lodge. Some magnificent sets have been lost and the pictures indicate the PH might provide a home and thus preserve the history.

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownSun Oct 25, 02:03:00 PM 2020

    Wow this is sad... Moving to Nebraska omaha in November I'm P.H.A capstone #30 will do what I can to help as a brother..

    ReplyDelete

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