OUR HISTORY

 

International Free & Accepted Modern Masons

History of William V. Banks Grand Lodge

State of Illinois

 

 

In 1950, International Free & Accepted Modern Masons was born.  The Ill. Williams V. Banks, 33°, was the first Supreme Grand Master, and later became the first Supreme President of this great organization.  He was followed by the Illustrious Turner Hartfield, 33°, Illustrious George Matthews, 33°, and our current President Illustrious James O. Dogan, 33°.

 

Having been Incorporated and chartered in August of 1950, our charter empowered International Masons to practice Free Masonry, and operate as a Masonic Fraternal Order throughout the United States, and its possessions and foreign territories.  This American-issued charter gave International Masons the same right as those charters issued directly from the Grand Lodge of England or Grand Orient of France.

 

On January 8, 1958 The William V. Banks Grand Lodge of Illinois was chartered with our first Grand Master, Bro William H. Jackson.  The Past Grand Masters of this great state are as follows:

 

Illustrious Andrew Clark 33°

Brother Burton Hill

Brother Percy Robinson

Illustrious Sidney Hurst 33°

Brother Pearl Green

Brother James Palmer

Brother Sam Wilson

Illustrious H.T. Pilcher Sr., 33°

Illustrious Robert Marable, 33°

Illustrious Theopolis Moore, 33°

Illustrious Deldre Capshaw, Jr. 33°

Illustrious Steven Henderson, 33°

Illustrious Lee Cross, 33°

Brother Donald Rivers

Brother H.T. Pilcher Jr.

Our current Grand Master is Illustrious Henry E. Ollie, 33°

 

 International Masonry was founded upon those Christian principles that deny no person the right to Fraternalism, regardless of race color or creed.  The cardinal principles of this organization are to appeal to its membership in such a manner as to;

• Promote better understanding and coordination

• To improve such fields thought which tend to ensure sound judgment

• To install in the minds of youth the necessity of intellectual progress

• To regard all that tends to develop character and wholesome personality traits

 

 

As of today, the Most Worshipful William V. Banks Grand Lodge has a membership of over 200 brothers.  We currently have lodges throughout the state Illinois, in newly formed cities such as Springfield, Aurora and Chicago Heights.   We will continue to grow and expand in new territories in the state of Illinois.