History of Hiram Grand Lodge
In 1919, a group of regularly initiated masons applied for three masonic charters from the Oriental Grand Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New Jersey, to work as masonic lodges. These three lodges worked as subordinate lodges of the Oriental Grand Lodge in the city of Baltimore. On March 29, 1921, those three subordinate lodges (Eureka Lodge No. 1, Success Lodge No. 2, and King Solomon Lodge No. 3) met in convention to be a right and regular Grand Lodge to be known as THE MOST WORSHIPFUL HIRAM GRAND LODGE, ANCIENT FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS (A.F. & A.M.), JURISDICTION OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND. The officers and members of the Oriental Grand Lodge of the State of New Jersey and the Hiram Grand Lodge of the State of New York participated in this convention.
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The Most Worshipful Hiram Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M. was incorporated on May 1, 1924, under the Maryland State Law governing corporations, and holds a charter as a fraternal organization. It was the first African American, A.F. & A.M. to be organized and incorporated in the State of Maryland.
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The Most Worshipful Hiram Grand Lodge was organized according to the rules of Ancient Craft Masonry; as stated by Albert G. Mackey, M.D.
During the month of July 1924, The Most Worshipful Hiram Grand Lodge was accepted as an affiliate Grand Lodge of the Original General Grand Masonic Congress of Grand Masters of the United States of America and Canada, Inc., and also became a member of The United Supreme Council of Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Southern and Western Masonic Jurisdiction, United States of America and Canada, Inc.
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The female auxiliary is known as Naomi Grand Chapter, Order of The Eastern Star, and was adopted for all fraternal purposes in the year of 1925. Under the laws of Masonry, this female auxiliary is so governed by the rules and regulations as outlined in Macoy's Ritual of the Adoptive Rite of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
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The Most Worshipful Hiram Grand Lodge resided at 1622 Madison Avenue from 1921 to 1946, when it added and purchased 1620 Madison Avenue. In 1949 The Grand Lodge purchased 1203-05 Eutaw Place, and later acquired 1201 Eutaw Place in the city of Baltimore. In 1961 we purchased 121 Oak Street in Dundalk, MD to accommodate the members in that area. The property at 25 North Cedar Hill, Glen Burnie, Maryland was purchased in 1974, also to accommodate members in that area of the State of Maryland.
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The additional property known as 1207 Eutaw Place, in the City of Baltimore was purchased in 1978. In 1995, Hiram Grand Foundation was created and the State of Maryland granted the Foundation a 501(c)(3).
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Some of the important highlights of the history of the organization are the consistent contributions to many charitable causes. A few of the organization's given contributions during the history of the Masonic order are: N.A.A.C.P., The Annie Mae Hunter Foundation for the Blind, The Kernan Children's Hospital, The Baer School for the Handicapped, The American Red Cross, The Boy Scouts of America, The March of Dimes, The Provident Hospital, and other local and national organizations.
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This organization and the various lodges, chapters, and affiliate departments under its jurisdiction have vigorously supported and promoted the many achievements of the Order during its years as The Most Worshipful Hiram Grand Lodge, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, State of Maryland Jurisdiction, Inc.