Wardens and Brethren,
In our fourth meeting of the year, we were honored to host our District Deputy Grand Master R.W Alsabe as his last
visit to Jenks as a District Deputy. It was truly an honor to have him visit and be our Direct deputy this past year. We
had R.W Walter Hunt come present to us about Masonry and its beginning in the new Americas. This presentation
was a recounting of the beginnings of Freemasonry in Rhode Island and Massachusetts which is a perfect example of
Freemasonry being a progressive moral Science.
The foundations of Freemasonry in New England are deeply rooted in the colonial era, with Massachusetts serving as
the primary gateway for the craft in North America. In 1733, Henry Price, a London-born tailor, received a deputation
from the Grand Master of England to act as Provincial Grand Master for New England. This led to the establishment
of St. John’s Lodge in Boston, often cited as the first “regular” Masonic lodge in the American colonies. Freemasonry
quickly became a social cornerstone for the merchant class and revolutionary thinkers alike; prominent figures such
as Paul Revere and John Hancock later became members, cementing the fraternity’s role in the intellectual and social
fabric of Boston as the drums of independence began to beat.
In Rhode Island, the craft followed a slightly different but equally prestigious path, beginning in the maritime hub of
Newport. In 1749, Thomas Oxnard, the Provincial Grand Master in Boston, granted a warrant for the formation of a
lodge in Newport, which also adopted the name St. John’s Lodge. A decade later, a second St. John’s Lodge was
established in Providence, reflecting the growing economic importance of the city. These early Rhode Island lodges
were notable for their inclusivity during a restrictive era; for instance, the Newport lodge included several prominent
Jewish merchants, such as Moses Michael Hays, who later became a Grand Master in Massachusetts. By 1791, the
two local lodges joined forces to organize the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island, formalizing a sovereign Masonic tradition
Looking to the future our May meeting will have an “open house” for Parade Day. The lodge will open May 25th at
. (Pending dispensation, Brothers will receive due notice if this changes.) Food will be served around lunch time
11AM-12PM. The menu will be simple hotdogs and hamburgers “Grille food”
Finally, don’t forget Jenks will be hosting JENKS TAVERN. Get your Tokens now for access and a Glass mug. This year’s
theme is The Revolution celebrating 250 years of American independence. I hope to see or at least speak with most
of you soon.
Fraternally,
Andrew (AJ) Brockway WM Jenks #24