About M.W. St. James Grand Lodge

Our History

A Legacy of Brotherhood Since 1936

The M.W. St. James Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. (after the death of the Ill. John G. Jones, many factions arose as John G. Jones Affiliates) reorganized on September 30, 1936, under the leadership of Walter Shaffner as Grand Master, at 10 West 47th Street, Chicago, Illinois. In 1937, Brother William Moody was elected Grand Master and served until his death in November 1948. Brother Moody was responsible for the acquisition of the property at 5444 S. Wentworth. Rev. Bro. Charles I. Miller was elected in December 1948 and fulfilled the dream of Grand Master Moody by paying off the mortgage on that property. Bro. P.M. Carter, who served one term, succeeded Grand Master Miller. In December 1952, Bro. C.H. Cole succeeded G.M. Carter in office, purchasing the property at 6902 S. Normal, and remained in office until 1963. Bro. Evin Dials was then elected Grand Master in December 1963 and served two terms. In December 1965, Bro. Clarence Redfield was elected Grand Master and also served two terms.

In December 1967, Bro. John D. Means was elected Grand Master and served until December 1980, during which time the property at 8220 S. Western Ave. was purchased. Bro. Barnett McWhorter was elected Grand Master in December 1980 and served one term. In December 1981, Bro. John D. Means was re-elected, becoming the first Past Grand Master to do so, serving until December 1983. In August 1992, he became President of the General Grand Masonic Congress of America. Bro. James Foster was elected Grand Master in December 1983 for one term. In December 1984, Bro. Barnett McWhorter became the second Past Grand Master to be re-elected, serving three terms. In December 1987, Bro. George P. Henry was elected Grand Master and served until 1994, noted for coalitions providing college scholarships and extending the hand of fellowship to King David Grand Lodge and Queen Naomi Grand Chapter, who later merged into the jurisdiction. In December 1994, Bro. Raymond Pryor was elected Grand Master and served until his death in August 1996.

In December 1997, Bro. Larry Spires was elected Grand Master and served faithfully until December 2002. Under his leadership, knowledge, charity, and community involvement were emphasized. He introduced the executive cabinet retreat, the 'Bowling for Widows & Orphans' fundraiser, reinstated 'Family and Friends Day', and organized the 'Gospel Extravaganza', which hosted major gospel recording artists and brought significant recognition to the Grand Lodge throughout the Chicagoland area. In August 2002, M.W. St. James G.L. and Queen Beatrice G.C. hosted the 91st Biennial Session of the General Grand Masonic Congress at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare — a historic occasion for Illinois — and honored Bro. Means with the John D. Means Testimonial Dinner, celebrating nearly five decades of service. In December 2002, Ill. Thomas E. Lawrence, 33°, was elected Grand Master, continuing the promotion of charity, truth, and community involvement. He invited community figures and government officials including Alderman Thomas Murphy, Alderman Theodore Thomas, Congressman Danny Davis, and City Clerk Dorothy Brown to speak at various events. Grand Master Lawrence re-established the Education & Scholarship Fund committee, awarding over $10,000 in scholarships and grants over three years, and established a Precious Metals Association to honor donors to the fund.

In December 2007, Ill. Bro. Anthony K. Young, 33°, of Mt. Calvary Lodge #2 was elected Grand Master for 2008. In December 2008, Ill. Kenneth R. Neal Sr., 33°, of John G. Jones #7 was elected, his tenure coinciding with the historic election of President Barack Obama. In December 2012, Ill. George Hutcherson, 33°, of Wilson Lodge #3 was elected Grand Master. During his tenure the building at 8220 S. Western Ave. received a new roof after nine months out of service, and several other renovations were completed. Grand Master Hutcherson's vision of Unity brought the jurisdiction together under his leadership. In December 2016, Ill. Richard L. Coleman Sr., 33°, was elected Grand Master, emphasizing transparency, charity, and self-reliance. In December 2019, Ill. Renard Bates, 33°, was elected Grand Master and guided the Lodge through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic — M.W. St. James Grand Lodge became the first Grand Lodge to hold a successful Grand Lodge Session via Zoom. He also implemented the Capitol Campaign Fund, raising thousands of dollars to reduce the mortgage on the Lodge building at 8220 S. Western Ave. In December 2023, Ill. Thomas J. Barksdale, 33°, was elected and installed as Grand Master, dedicated to leading the Grand Lodge into the future with the conviction that, by working together, nothing is impossible.