Abolitionist-Founded Annapolis Mason Lodge Saved

$200,000 exterior renovation to begin in November

By Matthew Liptak

A few dozen dignitaries and Masons gathered in front of Universal Lodge 14 at 64 Clay Street in Annapolis last week to recognize lodge members’ contributions to the city and the upcoming renovation of the historic building.

 “Many mistakenly believe the history of Annapolis is rooted in the buildings of the colonial era in a half dozen blocks surrounding City Dock,” Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley told those assembled. “But Annapolis history extends beyond and must include the stories of what happened in buildings like this very structure. That is why it is worth saving.”

The hall is a part of Prince Hall Freemasonry, which is a branch of masonry that was founded by African American abolitionist Prince Hall. The lodge in Annapolis was founded in 1865, right after the Civil War ended, by African American employees of the United States Naval Academy and as well as service members.

The building was constructed as a private dwelling in 1880, but was not purchased by the lodge until 1940. It expanded in 1956 and some of the city’s most notable personalities have been members, including educator Walter S. Mills, activist and educator Wiley H. Bates, former mayor John Chambers, and current police chief Edward Jackson. The structure is also on the National Register of Historic Places.

“This street has produced some magnificent men and women,” said Nicholas Mayr, a member of the Maryland Department of Housing and Human Development. “We’ve had some magnificent, prominent African American men who’ve done many great things in this city.”

Although the lodge takes an active role in community service, members say they have traditionally taken pains not to draw attention to themselves.

“I can say, each one of our men is a superhero in his own right,” said Emanuel Stanley, Grand Master of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge. “We take great pride as Prince Hall Masons in not sharing what we do with the public. Charity should just be done. We do what we do quietly.”

He said whether it’s getting a late night call from a resident with a broken pipe or helping a mom who has run out of formula for her baby, they are there to help. “We stand in the gap between government and church to serve the community,” he said.

Lodge member Jason Tyler has deep ties to the lodge and the community. His grandfather, William S. Pratt, 92, is one of the oldest active members of the lodge. “Clay Street was a traditionally Black neighborhood,” Tyler said. “A lot is changing, but when he was here, he was very active in the neighborhood. He was always trying to be a blessing to not only the neighborhood (but) to any of the surrounding neighborhoods and areas.”

The lodge has devoted itself to numerous formal charitable causes over the years, too. That includes toy drives at Christmas, food for the hungry at Thanksgiving, scholarships for education, and they also helped sponsor this year’s Juneteenth celebration. “The primary goal, what this lodge has done since its inception, is to be here to help the underserved in our community,” Stanley said.

The mayor says he is committed not only to helping the Masons, but to expanding renovations to more of Annapolis’s Fourth Ward.            

“To have such a rich history like this is what makes this town so special,” he said. I think this is an amazing area in the city that has often been forgotten. It’s the Harlem of Annapolis. There were thriving African American businesses here. We need investment in this area. This could be as great as it was.”