History of Pride of Grand Bahama #7
The Pride of Grand Bahama Masonic Lodge #7 (PHA) was chartered on 12th
August 1949 by the first Grand Master of The Most Worshipful Prince Hall
Grand Lodge of the Bahamas, the Most Worshipful William Watson
Thompson. The ‘Pride of Grand Bahama Lodge #7 began operating in the old
courthouse and government administrative building in Eight Mile Rock. Its first
Worshipful Master was an English-born brother named William John Rann.
Past Master Rann was an English-made mason who was an accountant by
trade working the ‘Butling’ hotel chain which we now know as Jack Tar. Whilst
we have no known photo of our founding Master, he apparently being an
artistically inclined man, has left us a signed painting, dated “1950” of symbols
of the Fellowcraft degree. This painting is posted behind the Senior Warden’s
station. Our founding Senior and Junior Wardens, as far we are able to
research were Norman Russell and Clifford A. Davis, respectively.
Several other brothers from throughout the Bahamas and Caribbean, then
domiciling in Grand Bahama came together to found what was to become the
Pride of Grand Bahama Lodge #7. These brothers, included Past Master
Lorenzo Smith, Cyril Barr, etc who having been made members of lodges in
the state of Florida years earlier while working as ‘contract workers’ from the
Bahamas. During this period brothers would travel along poor roads from the
eastern and western ends of the island and all point between to attend lodge.
Those east of ‘the creek’ could drive over the low, single-lane bridge that
merge the island or simply walk through the creek which, I am told was bone
dried at low tide. ‘The creek’ is what we today know as the Freeport Harbour
which has ironically contributed to the legend of the ‘Pride’.
During the early years of the 1950, was the induction of a relatively large
group of Caucasian brothers from the state of Arkansas. These brothers were
in the Bahamas at the time working for the mining company contracted to
dredge and mine Freeport Harbour. At this time back in Arkansas there a
racial unrest and the U.S. Federal Government had instituted school
desegregation which began with the ‘Arkansas Nine’. These nine little negro
children had to be escorted to and from school by armed federal troops to
protect their safety, yet at this time the ‘Pride’ had negro and caucasian
brothers fellowshipping in harmony. These ‘white’ brothers played a significant
role in the construction of our present temple. What is this thing call
‘freemasonry’ that will cause sworn enemy to love each other as brothers.
As legends go, also as result of the racially charged times, there was a
Bahamian mason, raised to the sublime degree in the state of Florida, in or
near Fort Pierce while on the contract, who became prominent member of ‘the
Pride’. One night while in fear for his life severely beat and wounded a white
man and had to flee America to avoid the injustice of those times. To his aid
came our American brothers who packed in his a box onboard a freight ship,
with food and water for the journey and thereby saved this life. This brother
was a good mason and man until the day he died, contributing endlessly to
the Pride and district four. We would not have had the memory of his well-
spent life had it not been for ‘freemasonry’.
The ‘Pride’ has also had it’s low moments. Also in those early years around
1953, accusation of fraud caused the resignation of a Worshipful Master and
almost the withdrawal of our charter by the Grand Lodge. It was only through
the plea of then, Island Commissioner Herman Pyfrom, it is certain that he was
even a mason, that the Charter remained at the Pride.
The membership grew under Worshipful Master Rand’s leadership and on
August 8th, 1950 the corner stone of our present lodge home was laid by
PGM James E. Morley who succeeded Brother Thompson as Grand Master.
This building, a two storey building, stands only one hundred and fifty yards
away from the original building. The original hand-carved cornerstone is now
barely visible on the northern corner of the building having been beaten down
by the elements over the years.
Twenty-five Worshipful Masters have presided at the ‘Pride’ since its
establishment over fifty years ago. The lodge meets on the first and third
Saturday evening of each month. First Saturday is set aside for business and
the third Saturday for work and instruction.
To date twelve Grand Masters have elected to preside over the Most
Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the Bahamas, two of the twelve Grand
Masters were raised and served as Masters of the Pride of Grand Bahama
#7. They are the Hon. Zephaniah A. Bullard II, and the Hon. L. Calvin
Newton having been elected on June 29, 1999.
It is a matter of history that PM Godfrey Knowles is the youngest Master to
grace the ‘East’ at our lodge in Hepburn Town, at the tender age of twenty-five
years old. Past Master Vincent K. Russell, had the sole distinction of being the
only mason to serve a Master in two lodges in our district. Past Master
Vincent Russell was raised and worked his way to the ‘East’ serving as Master
of the Pride in 1959. After Nebo #21 branched from ‘the Pride’, Past Master
Russell was elected and serve as the first Master of Nebo Lodge #7 at West
End, Grand Bahama.. It is not conclusive, but it would appear that Past
Master Arthur Martin, may have served two non-consecutive terms as Master
of the Pride, the records of those early years are lost. During the summer of
1954, while Past Master Hugh Campbell was presiding, his term was abruptly
ended when he was transfer back to Nassau. Past Master Hugh Campbell is
that renown school teacher for who a primary school is named after in
Freeport. In so far as can be traced, Past Master Arthur Master being the
Senior Warden, presided in his stead and may have been elected Master the
following year, the history is vague.
Because of her age and the evolution of freemasonry in the northern
Bahamas, the Pride of Grand Bahama #7 can rightfully be called the ‘mother
lodge’ of the district. On researching archives and reading the charters of the
earlier masonic institution of district four, the Pride of Grand Bahama #7
standout as tower symbol and strength. A continuing echoes testaments to
those gone before us that hail from a venerable proud temple that sit on the
seafront in that quaint little settlement of Hepburn Town. Joshua Chapter #2
Holy Royal Arch Masons, Grand Bahama Consistory #83, Nebo Lodge #7, St.
Nicholas Lodge #22, and Harmony Lodge #25 all have deep roots within the
‘Pride’.
As I went about talking to elderly surviving members of our ‘the Pride’, to recall
those earlier days, they would tell of found memories of brothers like Tee
Eden ‘Boy’ Grey, John Rolle Sr., Harman Roberts, and B. Moore. These
brothers have laid a firm foundation, they began this good work. This proud
lodge, emanating from a proud group of black brothers in a time when they
had no real reason to feel pride except from the deep inner knowledge of their
self worth and the knowledge that they and descendant are and should never
be made to feel inferior to anybody. They have laboured in this vineyard and
to erect the structure that we call our lodge, yet we have but faint memories of
so great a contribution.
The ‘Pride’ retains membership of approximately forty brothers and is the
seventh oldest lodge in this jurisdiction (Bahamas).
Compiled by
P.M. Godfrey Smith
The Pride of Grand Bahama Masonic Lodge #7 (PHA) was chartered on 12th
August 1949 by the first Grand Master of The Most Worshipful Prince Hall
Grand Lodge of the Bahamas, the Most Worshipful William Watson
Thompson. The ‘Pride of Grand Bahama Lodge #7 began operating in the old
courthouse and government administrative building in Eight Mile Rock. Its first
Worshipful Master was an English-born brother named William John Rann.
Past Master Rann was an English-made mason who was an accountant by
trade working the ‘Butling’ hotel chain which we now know as Jack Tar. Whilst
we have no known photo of our founding Master, he apparently being an
artistically inclined man, has left us a signed painting, dated “1950” of symbols
of the Fellowcraft degree. This painting is posted behind the Senior Warden’s
station. Our founding Senior and Junior Wardens, as far we are able to
research were Norman Russell and Clifford A. Davis, respectively.
Several other brothers from throughout the Bahamas and Caribbean, then
domiciling in Grand Bahama came together to found what was to become the
Pride of Grand Bahama Lodge #7. These brothers, included Past Master
Lorenzo Smith, Cyril Barr, etc who having been made members of lodges in
the state of Florida years earlier while working as ‘contract workers’ from the
Bahamas. During this period brothers would travel along poor roads from the
eastern and western ends of the island and all point between to attend lodge.
Those east of ‘the creek’ could drive over the low, single-lane bridge that
merge the island or simply walk through the creek which, I am told was bone
dried at low tide. ‘The creek’ is what we today know as the Freeport Harbour
which has ironically contributed to the legend of the ‘Pride’.
During the early years of the 1950, was the induction of a relatively large
group of Caucasian brothers from the state of Arkansas. These brothers were
in the Bahamas at the time working for the mining company contracted to
dredge and mine Freeport Harbour. At this time back in Arkansas there a
racial unrest and the U.S. Federal Government had instituted school
desegregation which began with the ‘Arkansas Nine’. These nine little negro
children had to be escorted to and from school by armed federal troops to
protect their safety, yet at this time the ‘Pride’ had negro and caucasian
brothers fellowshipping in harmony. These ‘white’ brothers played a significant
role in the construction of our present temple. What is this thing call
‘freemasonry’ that will cause sworn enemy to love each other as brothers.
As legends go, also as result of the racially charged times, there was a
Bahamian mason, raised to the sublime degree in the state of Florida, in or
near Fort Pierce while on the contract, who became prominent member of ‘the
Pride’. One night while in fear for his life severely beat and wounded a white
man and had to flee America to avoid the injustice of those times. To his aid
came our American brothers who packed in his a box onboard a freight ship,
with food and water for the journey and thereby saved this life. This brother
was a good mason and man until the day he died, contributing endlessly to
the Pride and district four. We would not have had the memory of his well-
spent life had it not been for ‘freemasonry’.
The ‘Pride’ has also had it’s low moments. Also in those early years around
1953, accusation of fraud caused the resignation of a Worshipful Master and
almost the withdrawal of our charter by the Grand Lodge. It was only through
the plea of then, Island Commissioner Herman Pyfrom, it is certain that he was
even a mason, that the Charter remained at the Pride.
The membership grew under Worshipful Master Rand’s leadership and on
August 8th, 1950 the corner stone of our present lodge home was laid by
PGM James E. Morley who succeeded Brother Thompson as Grand Master.
This building, a two storey building, stands only one hundred and fifty yards
away from the original building. The original hand-carved cornerstone is now
barely visible on the northern corner of the building having been beaten down
by the elements over the years.
Twenty-five Worshipful Masters have presided at the ‘Pride’ since its
establishment over fifty years ago. The lodge meets on the first and third
Saturday evening of each month. First Saturday is set aside for business and
the third Saturday for work and instruction.
To date twelve Grand Masters have elected to preside over the Most
Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the Bahamas, two of the twelve Grand
Masters were raised and served as Masters of the Pride of Grand Bahama
#7. They are the Hon. Zephaniah A. Bullard II, and the Hon. L. Calvin
Newton having been elected on June 29, 1999.
It is a matter of history that PM Godfrey Knowles is the youngest Master to
grace the ‘East’ at our lodge in Hepburn Town, at the tender age of twenty-five
years old. Past Master Vincent K. Russell, had the sole distinction of being the
only mason to serve a Master in two lodges in our district. Past Master
Vincent Russell was raised and worked his way to the ‘East’ serving as Master
of the Pride in 1959. After Nebo #21 branched from ‘the Pride’, Past Master
Russell was elected and serve as the first Master of Nebo Lodge #7 at West
End, Grand Bahama.. It is not conclusive, but it would appear that Past
Master Arthur Martin, may have served two non-consecutive terms as Master
of the Pride, the records of those early years are lost. During the summer of
1954, while Past Master Hugh Campbell was presiding, his term was abruptly
ended when he was transfer back to Nassau. Past Master Hugh Campbell is
that renown school teacher for who a primary school is named after in
Freeport. In so far as can be traced, Past Master Arthur Master being the
Senior Warden, presided in his stead and may have been elected Master the
following year, the history is vague.
Because of her age and the evolution of freemasonry in the northern
Bahamas, the Pride of Grand Bahama #7 can rightfully be called the ‘mother
lodge’ of the district. On researching archives and reading the charters of the
earlier masonic institution of district four, the Pride of Grand Bahama #7
standout as tower symbol and strength. A continuing echoes testaments to
those gone before us that hail from a venerable proud temple that sit on the
seafront in that quaint little settlement of Hepburn Town. Joshua Chapter #2
Holy Royal Arch Masons, Grand Bahama Consistory #83, Nebo Lodge #7, St.
Nicholas Lodge #22, and Harmony Lodge #25 all have deep roots within the
‘Pride’.
As I went about talking to elderly surviving members of our ‘the Pride’, to recall
those earlier days, they would tell of found memories of brothers like Tee
Eden ‘Boy’ Grey, John Rolle Sr., Harman Roberts, and B. Moore. These
brothers have laid a firm foundation, they began this good work. This proud
lodge, emanating from a proud group of black brothers in a time when they
had no real reason to feel pride except from the deep inner knowledge of their
self worth and the knowledge that they and descendant are and should never
be made to feel inferior to anybody. They have laboured in this vineyard and
to erect the structure that we call our lodge, yet we have but faint memories of
so great a contribution.
The ‘Pride’ retains membership of approximately forty brothers and is the
seventh oldest lodge in this jurisdiction (Bahamas).
Compiled by
P.M. Godfrey Smith
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