Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge State of New York

West Harlem / Hamilton Heights / Sugar Hill

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M.W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable Fraternity
of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York

The year 1812 is recognized as the beginning of Prince Hall Masonry in the State of New York. Boyer Lodge was named in honor of Haitian soldier-statesman and President Jean Boyer who was considered a Hero for his leadership during the war of Liberation of Haiti from France.

On October 2, 1818, there appeared a notice in several local newspapers, calling for a meeting of a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons on October 6, 1818 in the City of New York, and styled, the “African Lodge”. The notice was signed: Sandy Lattion, Worshipful Master. Interestingly enough, just one day later, on October 7, 1818, the White Grand Lodge of the State of New York called a special meeting, and what appeared to be an urgent meeting, to convene and investigate this matter. As a consequence, a Committee was appointed to investigate, and report back. This information was thunderous, since approximately ten thousand of the forty thousand Blacks in the State, were still under the yoke of the institution of slavery. This ''incursion'' into, ''Their Territory and Fraternity'', was a hard pill to swallow by many whites within our State, when hearing of an established and operating Masonic Lodge composed of Free Black Men in New York City.

Sites & Attractions Sites & Attractions: Churches Sites & Attractions: Historic Community West Harlem / Hamilton Heights / Sugar Hill