Sunday, December 18, 2011

St. Mark's Officer Installation 2012

These are photos from the installation of officers for St. Mark's Lodge #7, which took place on Sunday 18 December, 2011.  This St. John the Evangelist Day was started at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, where Prince Hall Freemasons in the Third Masonic District celebrated with fellowship and workship.  The Craft retired to the Temple at 988 East Long Street for the installation ceremony, followed by a Repast.


Congratulations to newly seated Worshipful Master Kenneth Rhynehart.

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Saturday, December 10, 2011

The 100th Birthday celebration for Hathaway Meadows

The article below has been transcribed from the archive of PM Antonio Caffey.  Based on the content of the article, I would say it was originally published in February of 1998.  The record has been scanned and is available electronically in the digital archive.

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The 100th Birthday celebration for Hathaway Meadows, a long-time member of Shiloh Baptist Church and the oldest member of St. Mark's Lodge No. 7, will include a weekend of activities.  First, St. Mark's Lodge No. 7 will honor their eldest member with a banquet on Saturday, Feb. 14, 7 p.m., at the King Arts Complex, 867 Mt. Vernon Ave. The theme is "A Celebration of Longevity."
     Meadows, the youngest of three children, was born to Giles and Fannie Meadows of Feb 4, 1898, in the small farming town of Bedford, Va.  He, along with his father and older brother, Russell, worked in the fields harvesting crops such as wheat, tobacco, corn, fruits, and vegetables.  his mother and sister, Cordelia, the eldest of the three Meadows children, assisted with the household chores as well as cultivating livestock.
     Soon, after completing high school, a childhood friend of Meadows' convinced him to venture toward the Midwest in search of better job opportunities.  In 1918, at the tender age of 20, Meadows arrived in Columbus.  He quickly found employment because of his diverse agricultural background.
     Three years after arriving in Columbus, Meadows married Pearl, the woman he would be happily married to for almost 50 years before her untimely passing on Dec. 25, 1970.  In 1923, they joined the congregation of Shiloh Baptist Church, which is located at 720 Mt. Vernon Ave., where Meadows became active as a member of the Usher Board and the Board of Trustees. "I've been there since they built the church," commented Meadows, who has witnessed the leadership of several pastors.  Rev. Dr. Otha Gilyard currently serves as the pastor of Shiloh Baptist.
     His involvement in the Freemasons began in the fall of 1928 when he petitioned for membership into St. Mark's Lodge #7, Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons.  On Dec. 16, 1928 he was duly initiated, passed and raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason.  His wife became a member of Esther Chapter #3, Order of the Eastern Star and Alla Baba Court #74 Daughters of Isis.
     Meadows, the oldest member in the jurisdiction of Ohio, has been blessed to actively serve in Masonry for over 69 years.  He serves as the chairman of the Widows Fund and is a member in good standing of all houses in Freemasonry.  During his tenure, Meadows has filled the offices of Grand High Priest, Grand Thrice Illustrious Master, Grand Eminent Commander, and Illustrious Potentate.
     Sir Carrington L. Melton of St. Mark's Lodge No. 7 commented, "Meadows is mostly being honored as a great human being!"  The name Hathaway Meadows is duly written on the history pages of Freemasonry.  He will be long remembered as a Brother of Masonry who walks among us under the divine watchful eye of the Grand Master of the Universe."
     Meadows, who acknowledges the continued goodness of his Lord and savior, Jesus Christ, admits that he has been fortunate to live this long.  At the age of 100, Meadows continues to demonstrate dedicated involvement within the larger community and faithful service as a member of Shiloh Baptist Church.  A member of Shiloh's Usher Board since 1927, Meadows is currently a Trustee Emeritus of the church and is also a member of Sunday School Class #2.
     On the auspicious occasion of his birthday, Meadows was also honored by the City Council.  Council President Michael Coleman presented Meadows with an honorary proclamation marking his 100th birthday on Sunday, Feb. 8 at Shiloh Baptist.  On Sun. Feb 15, The Usher Board at Shiloh Baptist will honor Meadows immediately following the morning worship service.  The public is welcome to join in the fellowship.
     Tickets for the Feb. 14 Free Masons' birthday celebration can be obtained by calling St. Mark's Lodge No. 7 at 231-0991.


     

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Friday, December 9, 2011

Lodge rolls are down in cities, up in country

This is an article from the historical archive of PM Antonio Caffey on the declining membership of organizations. I do not have a date or source on the article.  This is part of the scanning historical documents project.  This and all scanned documents is available within my online archive.  Email me for access.

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St. Mark's Sesquicentennial

This flyer is for the Sesquicentennial Anniversary Celebration of St. Mark's Lodge #7.  It was scanned from the archive of Antonio Caffey, and has been placed in my digital collection.  Presented here for historical consideration.


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