D E M OLAY C ONSISTORY N O .1, V ALLEY OF P HILADELPHIA
Masonic district of Pennsylvania. Their work led to the formation of Martin Luther King Consistory, No. 86 which was chartered in 1971. In 1972, under the leadership of S.G.I.G. William Hill, 33°, Deputy for the Orient of Pennsylvania, fraters from DeMolay No. 1 traveled to Erie, Pennsylvania to form Whitney Young Consistory, No. 88. In 1981, DeMolay held its 100th anniversary commemoration and celebrated in conjunction with the other consistories of the AASR, the historic milestone of the USC centennial. DeMolay was proud of its record for the largest enrolled membership in Pennsylvania which numbered some 1700 fraters in 1981. DeMolay, throughout its history, has had fraters who contributed their time, resources and leadership abilities in advancing the Pennsylvania Council of Deliberation and who had the privilege to serve as officers in the USC. Following in the footsteps of S.G.I.G. George W. Roper, 33° as the first Deputy for the Orient of Pennsylvania were other distinguished fraters, including: S.G.I.G. William H. Miller, 33°, S.G.I.G. Henry H. Gilbert, 33°, S.G.I.G. Wilson L. Underwood , 33°, S.G.I.G. Howard D. Gould, 33°, S.G.I.G. Charles H. Polk, 33°, S.G.I.G. Walter C. Beckett, 33°, S.G.I.G. Patrick H. Hughes, 33°, S.G.I.G. Herbert N. Gibbons, 33° and our current Deputy, S.G.I.G. Leonard A. Heard, 33°. There are several fraters of DeMolay No. 1 who went on to hold esteemed offices in the USC: S.G.I.G. Robert N. Davis, 33° and S.G.I.G. Lorenzo Cruger, 33° held the position of Secretary General of the Holy Empire; S.G.I.G. Winston O. Williams, 33° served as Cathedral Secretary and S.G.I.G Roland K. Lee, 33° currently serves as the Grand Treasurer of the Holy Empire. Fraters of DeMolay have been active in the civic, cultural and political life of the city of Philadelphia, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the nation over the years. Men such as, Judge Herbert E. Millen, the first African American ever appointed to the judiciary in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Dr. Leon H. Sullivan, renown pastor of Zion Baptist church and founder of the Opportunities Industrialization Centers,
Congressman Lucian Blackwell who served in local and state positions and in the United States House of Representatives from 1991 to 1995; the Honorable Ronald B. Merriweather, Philadelphia Municipal Court judge, Mark Hyman, author, Kenneth Gamble, Musician and Entertainer of the famous team of Gamble and Huff, jazz musician and band artist, Jimmy Shorter and State Senator Sharif T. Street , Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, representing the 3rd District – are just a few of the notable dignitaries whose names have been placed on DeMolay’s rolls. DeMolay Consistory No. 1 has remained actively engaged and relevant in the community through its benevolence, scholarship programs and other efforts. DeMolay has sponsored a kidney fund drive to aid underprivileged persons having kidney disorders. It holds on a yearly basis an annual Community Service and Achievement Awards Banquet and a Barbeque/Food Drive for the seniors living in the Scottish Rite Towers. DeMolay has made significant donations to the NAACP, United Negro College Fund and other worthy causes. The consistory continues to provide student aid and support to college bound high school scholars. In closing, DeMolay Consistory No. 1 is proud of its rich heritage and place as being the first consistory chartered by the USC. It has weathered the many economic, political, civil rights and social justice battles over the past 143 years but remains steadfast, strong and a light in the community.
Sources:
• Walkes, Joseph A History of the United Supreme Council, AASR of Freemasonry, PHA, N.J., U.S.A. 1881-1998 (USC publisher) • DeMolay Consistory No.1, Philadelphia, PA Centennial Celebration Photo Journal • The United Supreme Council, AASR of Freemasonry, PHA, N.J., U.S.A. One Hundredth Anniversary Souvenir Journal • Many thanks to GIG Walter J. Sims Jr., 33°, President of the William R. Greenwood Class of 2000 and a member of DeMolay Consistory No. 1 since 1984 for his review of the material, feedback and assistance
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