250 Years of Prince Hall Freemasonry in Boston

Photo: WGBH

by Christopher Hodapp

On Memorial Day, the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts celebrated a true milestone for their unique branch of the fraternity of Freemasonry, marking the 250th anniversary of the raising of Prince Hall and 14 other free black men as Masons in Boston. The Boston Memorial Day event saw a large procession to Copp's Hill burial ground, led by Grand Master Justin A. Petty, where a striking monument to WB Hall stands today.

Back in March 1775, Hall and his brethren were initiated by a British military lodge just before the American Revolution broke out. At the time, Boston's established lodges wouldn’t admit them. So after the war ended, Hall took matters into his own hands and got a proper charter from England in 1784 to start African Lodge No. 459. From that beginning, what became known first as 'African,' then Prince Hall, Freemasonry spread across the country, peaking nationwide in the 1960s with 310,000 members in 5,100 lodges. 

Early Prince Hall Masons pushed hard for abolition, education, and community uplift, sponsoring schools, signing petitions, providing for impoverished families, offering scholarships, and more. Arguably, they became as important and influential within their communities as the black churches, frequently cooperating on countless programs. 

Their downtown temples and grand lodge buildings often became important office hubs for black professionals like doctors, dentists and attorneys. During the 1950s and 60s, these places often were home to the headquarters of civil rights organizations. Within the rolls of Prince Hall Grand Lodges you'll find politicians, educators, entertainers, sports figures, community leaders and businessmen. 

So, for Prince Hall Freemasonry to grow, thrive and survive for 250 years as the nation's oldest black fraternal organization is a very big deal. 

Today, Prince Hall Affiliated Freemasonry shares recognition with so-called 'mainstream' grand lodges in all but four states in the U.S.: Arkansas, Mississippi, South Carolina and West Virginia.

WBGH in Boston has a long article about Hall and the festivities that day HERE:
In 1775, Boston’s Prince Hall broke Freemasonry’s racial barrier. His global movement marches on.