77021-1:n:07/13/2005:RRC/rrc LRS2005-3189
COMMENDING THE MOST WORSHIPFUL PRINCE HALL GRAND LODGE FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF ALABAMA UPON ITS 135TH ANNUAL GRAND COMMUNICATION.
WHEREAS, highest commendations are herein extended to the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of Alabama upon its 135th Annual Grand Communication to be held July 19, 2005; and
WHEREAS, "Colored" Masonry in the State of Alabama came into existence in 1867, two years after the close of the Civil War; in 1869, there were 8 to 10 properly and traditionally recognized local lodges of Prince Hall Masonry; on August 13, 1878, two Prince Hall affiliated Grand Lodges, the Independent Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Alabama and the National Compact Grand Lodge were consolidated and the name ultimately became the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F. and A. M. of Alabama; at the time of consolidation, the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F. and A. M. of Alabama, was composed of 22 warranted lodges and today is composed of 590 actively functioning lodges; and
WHEREAS, in 1922, construction was begun on the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F. and A. M. of Alabama, Temple Building at 1630 North Fourth Avenue in Birmingham; at the time of its completion, the Temple Building was the largest and best equipped state-of-the-art luxurious building built by and paid for by African Americans in the entire world; and
WHEREAS, in addition to housing the state headquarters for Prince Hall Masons and the Order of Eastern Star, the Temple Building served as the exclusive social and cultural center for the city's African American community for many years; designated on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the "Fourth Avenue Historic District" in 1982, this significant structure has served the Birmingham community and the general Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alabama for more than 80 years; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, That The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of Alabama are recognized upon the occasion of its 135th Annual Grand Communication on July 19, 2005, and a copy of this resolution shall be provided for appropriate presentation with our sincere best wishes.