HRAM-History

History of the MEUGC of HRAM, FL PHA

Royal Arch Masonry began in the State of Florida in 1881, when a group of Master Masons petitioned the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the District of Columbia to send a Representative to our State for the purpose of establishing a Royal Arch Chapter. The petition was made to Most Excellent Adolphus Hall, Grand High Priest of the District of Columbia. The requested Representative came and brought with him a sufficient number of Royal Arch Masons to confer the Capitular Degrees properly.

The Degrees were conferred, the Officers were elected, the Chapter was established under dispensation (U.D.) and was named Zerubbabel Chapter U.D. #15. Zerubbabel Chapter worked as a U.D. Chapter for nearly two years. Having been pleased with the work of the Chapter, the Grand Chapter of the District of Columbia saw fit to grant a Charter to this Florida Chapter. The Charter was granted August 12, 1883. Having received its Charter, Zerubbabel Chapter became the Mother Chapter of Royal Arch Masonry in Florida.

Under the authority of the Grand Chapter of the District of Columbia, the following Royal Arch Chapters were established: Hiriam Chapter #17, Jacksonville, 1884; Aaron Chapter #18, Key West, 1884; King Hiram Chapter #20, Fernandina, 1887; Mt. Pleasant Chapter #26, Palatka, 1894; and Keystone Chapter #30, St. Augustine, 1895. These five Chapters forwarded a petition to the Grand Chapter of the District of Columbia requesting the establishment of a Grand Chapter in and for the State of Florida. The request was granted August 29, 1897, and the Grand Chapter was named Union Grand Chapter Holy Royal Arch Masons of Florida, and the Subordinate Chapters were chartered. The elected Grand Officers were: Most Excellent Reubin S. Mitchell, Grand High Priest; Right Excellent Elias Sellers, Deputy Grand High Priest; Right Excellent Lucius H. Littles, Grand King; Right Excellent Benjamin Delworth, Grand Scribe; Right Excellent Joseph Williams, Grand Secretary; and Right Excellent William J. Henry, Grand Treasurer.

During the years of the Economic Depression from 1901 to 1907, the Union Grand Chapter did not convene. In 1902, under the leadership of Professor John G. Riley, St. James #26, Holy Royal Arch Chapter was established in Tallahassee, Florida. Professor Riley was named the Excellent High Priest for the Chapter. During the Grand Convocation in Ocala, Florida in 1908, John G. Riley was elected Grand High Priest. The membership hastily increased and Chapters were established in many cities over the State of Florida. Grand Master John H. Dickerson encouraged many Master Masons to obtain higher degrees in support of this then Grand Senior Warden, John G. Riley. Grand High Priest Riley died in October of 1953, and Deputy Grand High Priest W.M. Solomon carried on the works and presided over the Grand convocation in April of 1954. At this convocation, Fred Alexander was elected Grand High Priest, along with the following Officers: Right Excellent W. M. Solomon, Deputy Grand High Priest; Right Excellent Charles H. Henry, Grand King; Right Excellent Preston Rainey, Grand Scribe; Right Excellent W.K. Kicklighter, Grand Treasurer; and Right Excellent James A. Foster, Grand Secretary.

Most Excellent Fred Alexander brought to the office dignity, and a vast amount of Masonic knowledge. A new concept of Royal Arch Masonry was created. In 1969, the Union Grand Chapter became a member of the General Conference of Grand Chapters. Grand High Priest Alexander established the Education - Charity Program, and in 1968, the Royal Arch Relief Fund and Benevolent Fund with Charles T. Maxwell as Chairman of the Benevolent Fund. During the Grand Convocation of 1970, the following Grand Officers were elected: Most Excellent Fred Alexander, Grand High Priest; Right Excellent Carey P. Bentley, Deputy Grand High Priest; Right Excellent Curtis Sams, Grand King; Right Excellent William A. Gibson, Grand Scribe; Right Excellent Charles A. Tillis, Grand Treasurer; and Right Excellent James A. Hawkins, Grand Secretary.

In 1971, Right Excellent John A. Smith was elected Grand King, and Right Excellent Samuel A. Bolden was elected Grand Scribe, with Reverend Charles E. Pinkston serving as Grand Chaplain.
In 1975, Right Excellent James A. Hawkins, Grand Secretary, was summoned home to that Mansion above to be with the Grand Architect of the Universe. His term was completed by Right Excellent Daniel L. Lauray, who also served the Grand Chapter as Grand Medical Director for several years. In the month of September 1975 Elizabeth Royal Arch Chapter #60 (Daytona Beach, Florida) was Chartered. The Charter was later surrendered by District Deputy Oscar Hughes for lack of members in April 1996. Some members became affiliated with Waymon Chapter #78 (Daytona Beach)

In 1979, the Grand Chapter was dealt a severe blow when Most Excellent Grand High Priest Fred Alexander was called by the Supreme Grand High Priest of the Universe to serve the Grand Chapter above. His accomplishments are too numerous to mention. Right Excellent Carey P. Bentley was elected to succeed Grand High Priest Alexander. He served faithfully for one year and resigned due to ill health. He was elected Grand High Priest Emeritus. Those serving under his administration were: Right Excellent Cleveland J. Mackey, Deputy Grand High Priest; Right Excellent Charles T. Maxwell, Grand King; Right Excellent Herbert Chisholm, Grand Scribe; Right Excellent Richard B. Brown, Grand Treasurer; Right Excellent Albert E. Fogle, Grand Secretary; and Right Excellent W.H. Richardson, Grand Chaplain.

In September 1980, the role of leadership was undertaken by Most Excellent Cleveland J. Mackey(Harmony #107), who served the Grand Chapter faithfully until 1987 when his health began to fail him. Those serving under his administration were: Right Excellent Charles T. Maxwell, Deputy Grand High Priest; Right Excellent Johnny McCray, Grand King; Right Excellent Roston Bullard, Grand Scribe (1980-1983); Right Excellent Carl Finerson, Grand Scribe (1983-1987); Right Excellent Albert E. Fogle, Grand Secretary; and Right Excellent Richard B. Brown, Grand Treasurer. Grand High Priest Mackey served the Grand Chapter admirably and was held in very high esteem by all members of the Masonic Family. One of the first acts of his administration was to change the accounting system procedure. He was assisted greatly by the expertise of Grand King, Right Excellent Johnny McCray, a certified public accountant. Exceptional peace and harmony prevailed under this administration.

In November, 1987, Grand High Priest Mackey passed to his celestial home above. Right Excellent Charles T. Maxwell (A.J. Junius #70), Deputy Grand High Priest, who had worked very closely with Grand High Priest Mackey, especially during his period of illness, was called upon to serve out the unexpired term of Grand High Priest Mackey.

In April 1988, during the 85th Annual Convocation, Deputy Grand High Priest Charles T. Maxwell was elected Most Excellent Grand High Priest. Those serving under his administration were: Right Excellent Johnny McCray, Deputy Grand High Priest; Right Excellent, Carl Finerson, Grand King; Right Excellent Eugene C. Johnson, Grand Scribe; Right Excellent Richard B. Brown, Grand Treasurer; Right Excellent Henry B. Parker Jr., Grand Secretary and Right Excellent Henry Ely, Grand Chaplain. One of the first acts of Grand High Priest Maxwell, was to move the daily operations of the affairs of the Grand Chapter back into the Masonic Temple, in Jacksonville. This operation had been in Clemont, Florida for several years with Grand Secretary Fogle.

In updating the Grand Chapter's Official records, it was discovered that during the transition of records and documents of the Grand Chapter, all records were lost between Clermont, Florida and the Grand Chapter's Office in the Masonic Temple at 410 Broad Street in Jacksonville, Florida. An improved method for updating of the Grand Chapter's official records was launched, the two room office suite was revitalized and redecorated and a multifunctional copy machine was purchased. The financial status of the Grand Chapter was put on a sound basis.

Under the capable and dynamic leadership of Grand High Priest Maxwell and his very efficient Cabinet, the expectations for growth and expansion were tremendous. Grand Master George Washington and the Grand Trustees of The Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge of Florida designated the 4th floor of the Masonic Temple for office space and activities of the York Rite Bodies, which included the Holy Royal Arch Masons and the Heroines of Jericho. The office was expanded to a 4 room suite which includes offices for : (1) The Most Excellent Grand High Priest, (2) Right Excellent Deputy Grand High Priest, (3) Right Excellent Grand Secretary and Right Excellent Grand Treasurer, (4) Office Clerk and daily operations. Also, the entire 4th floor, with the exception of the kitchen space, was painted red and white.

The Grand Chapter has always been a great supporter of education and, under the administration of Most Worshipful Grand Master Dr. George Washington, supported the Education Commission with an annual donation of $2150.00. This annual donation continues today.