T he story of the Most Wor- shipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Louisiana would never be complete without recognizing the contributions of
leadership in the battle for civil rights and instilled that courage in both his sons and the Craft. Not only was GM Lewis Sr. a prominent lead- er and civil rights activist, but he also spearheaded many agendas that set the MWPHGL of Louisiana on its current path. Two actions in particular deserve spe- cial recognition. First, in 1909 the Grand Lodge un- der GM Lewis ’ leadership was able to purchase a printing office and began preparing to publish a Ma- sonic journal that was issued monthly. The next sum- mer, in June of 1910, the first issue of the Plumbline was published and remains in circulation to this day. The second noteworthy milestone occurring during GM Lewis ’ s tenure was moving the Grand Lodge from New Orleans to Baton Rouge, where it presently resides. At the 55th Annual Communication in June 1917, GM Lewis Sr. recommended this change and the move occurred shortly thereafter. GM Lewis Sr. continued to work out of his local lodge in Natchitoches, as there was no facility for the Grand Lodge at that time. GM John G. Lewis, Sr. was the father to the 10th and 11th Grand Masters of the State of Louisi- ana, GM Scott A. Lewis and GM John G. Lewis, Jr. The Lewis family represents over 75 years of Mason- ic leadership within Louisiana and our illustrious Order.
Grand Master John Gideon
Lewis Sr. Born on June 26, 1851, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, he ar- rived in Louisiana soon after the Civil War in the
PGM John G. Lewis, Sr.
late 1860s during the Reconstruction Era. He worked as a teacher in the Natchitoches area, and later re- ceived his naturalization papers in New Orleans in 1877. GM Lewis Sr. quickly became a well - known civic leader and an influential community advocate in which he was a member of many African American - led organizations during the 1870s and 1880s, to in- clude the MWPHGL of Louisiana, then known as Eu- reka Grand Lodge. Following the tragic death of GM Louis R. Price, then - Deputy Grand Master Lewis Sr. was elect- ed the 9th Most Worshipful Grand Master of Eureka Grand Lodge of Louisiana at the 53rd Annual Ses- sion. In 1903, GM Lewis Sr. was not only elected Grand Master, but he was also blessed with the birth of his second son, John G. Lewis Jr., who later be- came the 11th Grand Master of our illustrious organi- zation and arguably one of the most influential lead- ers in Prince Hall Masonry ’ s history. GM Lewis Sr. was a renowned speaker and arguably the one of the leading influences of black orators from the early 20th century who are often overlooked by mainstream historians. As an orator, GM Lewis Sr. provided
PGM Scott Lewis, PGM Jno G. Lewis, Jr .
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