King David Lodge # 116 was originally a lodge operating under the jurisdiction of the Buckeye Grand Lodge, International Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. These brothers, under the leadership of Brother Edward L. Abercromie, eventually decided -- for reasons not chronicled in the archives, that they should sever their relationship with the Buckeye Grand Lodge; and subsequently was re-chartered under the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio.

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Past Master Russell Pace served as the Deputy Grand Lecture of the 3rd Masonic District at the time and through him they petitioned Grand Master James B. Simmons to bring the entire lodge into Prince Hall Masonry.  Grand Master Simmons issued a dispensation to the lodge on July 18, 1957.

 

The 109th Communication of the Grand Lodge was held at Central State University on August 10-12, 1958; Grand Master Guy R. Taylor made a recommendation to the Grand Lodge that a charter be granted to King David # 116.  This recommendation was adopted and the lodge was constituted on November 9, 1958.  Brother Edward L. Abercromie was installed as the first Worshipful Master, with Brother William Etheredge serving as the Senior Warden, and Brother Jesse L. Jackson serving as the Junior Warden.

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From 1958 to the present, King David Lodge # 116 has been priviledged to have 57 Brothers serve in the office of Worshipful Master.  Many of these Brothershave also served the Grand Lodge in various appointed positions.  King David # 116 is also honored to have had our 6th Past Master, Kenneth E. Lewis, serve as the 45th Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio from 1981-1983.

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Historically, Prince Hall lodges honor their affiliation to our namesake and founder, one of the first freedmen in America who came into freemasonry. Today, the general demographic of our lodge is primarily of African American descent although our members may be of any ethnicity.  Prince Hall Masons are not to be confused with primarily Caucasian lodges or other, Clandestine people-of-color lodges.  King David # 116 members know our legacy and it has been traced back through our charter while other groups of masons cannot make that claim.

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