The National Grand Lodge was established June 24, 1847, in Boston, Massachusetts, by Grand Lodges, which were of direct lineage to African Lodge No. 459.
The National Grand Lodge was started with the noble intent to have a way for Black lodges to unite and settle disputes.
The National Grand Lodge violated Masonic law- “No such M.W. Grand Lodge can exist or exercise any Masonic privileges or duty, within the United States, without the sanction of this M.W.N. Grand Lodge, by warrant duly granted”
Establishment of Grand Lodges in Georgia
In June 24, 1870, Rev. James M. Simms organized the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Georgia Free and Accepted Masons.
In August 22, 1870, the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Georgia Free and Accepted Masons accepted a warrant from the National Grand Lodge and became in union with it. This Grand Lodge was never “under” the National Grand Lodge. It was only in Union with it. They made that very clear.
In June 23, 1874, The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Georgia Ancient Free and Accepted Masons was formed (mostly in opposition to the National Grand Lodge), creating the second Prince Hall Grand Lodge in the state.
From 1874 to 1888, there were two Prince Hall Grand Lodges in Georgia.
In June 26, 1888, Grand Master Anthony K. Desverney called a conference committee to consolidate the two existing Grand Lodges on amicable terms. The Grand Lodge of F.A.A.M. for the state of Georgia was officially formed with Grand Master W. E. Terry as the Grand Master.
Our Grand Lodge was called MW Union Grand Lodge of Georgia AF&AM from 1888 to 1936
Establishment of Our Lodge
Eden Lodge #46 was originally chartered as Corbin Lodge, named for Joseph Corbin, the 3rd G.M. of the Prince Hall G.L. of Arkansas.
Most Worshipful Grand Master J.D. Campbell signed our original charter.
J.D. Campbell served as Grand Master for the consolidated MW Union Grand Lodge again from 1889 to 1894.
During December 1888 GL proceedings, Grand Master Terry made a recommendation to change the names of any lodges named after a living man. Our lodge name was changed from Corbin to Eden.
We have no way of knowing when our lodge was originally chartered, but we know Reverend Cornelius Max Manning was the Worshipful Master in 1888 when the name was changed and served as the first Worshipful Master for Eden Lodge under the new MW Union Grand Lodge of Georgia AF&AM.
Worshipful Master Manning was a Union Soldier during the Civil War, who fought in the battle of Fort Wagner, and an AME Preacher.
Our Trestle Boards show J. Kimble as our first WM from 1894 to 1896 and W.P. Harper as our second WM from 1897 to 1902.
Our Cornerstone
Our cornerstone was commissioned during Grand Master Neal McQueen’s tenure from 1990-1995.
The cornerstone was installed in 1999-2000 under PM Eskridge.
Based on our cornerstone we were chartered as Eden Lodge in 1895, that is not correct.
It says “Rebuilt 1962” because we moved into our current building in 1962 based on letters written by PM Ferguson thanking the craft donating chairs and tables.
