The Honorable Wilbert M. Curtis, Grand Master of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas, is the type of person not usually found in the Grand East. He is not loud or flamboyant or a braggadocio. He is a quiet, gentle man who leads his Grand Lodge with kindness and thoughtfulness. Oh, don’t get me wrong, he can get tough when he has to but by then all other resources have been exhausted and nary a member would disagree with his actions.
This type of leadership is sorely lacking in many jurisdictions of all different Obediences. It is all the rage these days to follow the leadership style of General George S. Patten, but not Grand Master Curtis. He is a leader totally accessible by any and all members of the Craft. He is a giving person with a good heart who will always be appreciative of what you can do for Freemasonry within the length of your cable tow. He doesn’t go out of his way to criticize others but would rather gently nudge you along. He motivates and inspires all of us who know him with his leadership style. Consequently he is a most beloved Grand Master.
None of these qualities equate with weakness or timidness. Grand Master Curtis is a confident, strong leader who has gained national recognition. He has been elected President of the Conference of Grand Masters, PHA. He recently was invited to the Northern United Supreme Council (PHA) where he met and had conversation with Sov. Grand Commander John Wm. McNaughton of the Supreme Council, AASR, Northern Jurisdiction, Mainstream. Soon after he attended a history making event in Tulsa, Oklahoma where the AF & AM Grand Lodge officers and Past Grand Masters attended the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Oklahoma. In a time when we read disheartening stories elsewhere of Masonic racial unrest, Grand Master Curtis quietly and confidently forges ahead in building bridges of cooperation among all peoples.
After Grand Lodge Session closed Grand Master Curtis invited me up to his office to see his Commission from the Grand Lodge of England as Representative to the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas and the jewel received from the same. Below are pictures of Grand Master Curtis with these items.
If you ever run into this man, don’t hesitate to stop and say hello for he is very much a man of the people who would enjoy conversing with you.
Great article. I have a question what is this “Texas Prince Hall Charter from the United Grand Lodge of England”? Can you explain what this is.
A class act….
@ Adrian Cooley-
I think that’s a copy of our acknowledgment from UGLE as a legally formed and regular Grand Lodge. In order for a state to receive this recognition from UGLE, the historic source of legal masonry, they must have mutual recognition with their predominately white Masonic Grand Lodge in the same state. Both Prince Hall and the white GL (of Texas) agreed to this in 2006, so the charter of recognition was issued to Texas from England. In actuality, Prince Hall still has our original charter from England from 1874, which made us legitimate in the first place.
It is a Charter and if what you say is true by your reasoning then all Mainstream Grand Lodges are clandestine because they were never chartered. Also by your reasoning then all Mainstream Grand Lodges are illegal because they just usurped the authority to be such never having been granted that authority by their original source, the Grand Lodge of England – which is a common criticism of Prince Hall.
Prince Hall claims that they are the only Grand Lodges in the United States of America who still have a Charter issued by the UGLE, the mother Grand Lodge for most of the early Lodge development of this country.
Most people forget when they criticize Prince Hall for having lost its connection with the Grand Lodge of England and being dropped from its roles in the early 1800s that the same thing happened to all white Mainstream Grand Lodges also. Between the American Revolution and the War of 1812 all harmonious relations with England ceased and communication with “the enemy” was held to a bare minimum.
Prince Hall, however, unlike Mainstream GLs applied for reinstatement from the UGLE and received the same.
@William
Thanks for explanation but is “charter” the appropriate name? It may mislead one to believe that MWPHGL of Texas has a charter from the UGLE empowering them work as Masons. I don’t believe UGLE gives charter to lodges anymore, plus I also don’t believe Grand Lodges are chartered only subordinate lodges. Just curious.
Maybe I need to clarify that I am a PHA Mason myself (as my lodge website shows) and I think maybe I need explain myself a little more.
You said
“It is a Charter and if what you say is true by your reasoning then all Mainstream Grand Lodges are clandestine because they were never chartered.”
When I said Grand Lodges are not chartered I said that because isn’t it the usual Masonic custom that 3 or more lodges who were regularly chartered to form a regular Grand Lodge? (Of course the exceptions in the early days of the land what we now call America in the 1700s) Basically, I am of the understanding that Grand Lodges do not need to be chartered as long as the three or more lodges that formed it were chartered by a legitimate and regular Grand Body. Is this not correct?
Also, you said
“Prince Hall, however, unlike Mainstream GLs applied for reinstatement from the UGLE and received the same.”
When you say “Prince Hall” are you talking about the PHA Grand Lodges that have applied for recognition from UGLE in the last 20 years? Again, just curious because this is interesting.
Is it odd that no one has questioned the legitimacy St. John’s Lodge in Massachusetts. It set itself up as a GL in 1733. At one time there were a total of 4 GL in the Mass at once.
The GL of AK was formed after the MWPHGL of AK. Many say that was possible because “MS” did not recongize PHA. So according to some PHA never existed. Well, when African Grand Lodge notified the world that it was “free and independent” it didn’t recognize other GL in the US. The same rules that the GL of AK used, Prince Hall did the exact same thing.
Of course, some GLs derive their charters from other US states…
:coughs:
Well, never mind that now.
Right, which is entirely unlike what the UGLE did when they…
Umm… Err…
:crickets:
Well, I’m sure it all works out in the end.
Gentlemen,
There is an error in the article as it relates to the document that I am holding. Since it is seems to be the point of contention inspite of the good that comes from the article, I will address it. The document that I am holding is not a CHARTER. It is the commission from the United Grand Lodge of England designating me as the Representative for the Grand Lodge of England to the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas. It is purely an Honorary Appointment of which I cherrish dearly. The jewel that I am holding is the jewel of that office.
It is amazing how when someone attempts to do something postive and makes a error, it becomes the highlight of the event.
The Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas and the Grand Lodge of Texas do recognize each other. The Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas does have mutual recognititon with the United Grand Lodge of England.
I commend the writer for the article and accept responsibility for any misunderstanding that may have come from this fine article.
Fraternally and sincerely,
Wilbert M. Curtis, Grand Master
Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas
Thanks Grand Master, my misunderstanding. I’m not sure how I thought it was a Charter but I am indebted for being set straight. My weakness has always been rules and regulations and all things relative to the political/legal entanglements that snare our Fraternity. Next time I will take more time to ask the questions to make sure I have it right. In the meantime my apologies for the controversy.
Grand Master Curtis, I thank you for the explanation. Again, like I said in my original post this was a great article about you. I was simply curious about the use of the word “charter” because it might mislead some to think that the MWPHGL of Texas was not regular and legitimate BEFORE the UGLE gave you this document. But of course we know the MWPHGL of Texas as well as other PHA Grand Lodges were regular and legitimate before being recognized by the UGLE. I’m just a brother looking to gain more light. Thanks again for enlightening us. Thank you Beehive for writing this article. I look forward to following your blog.
Thanks Brother Cooley for your kindness and understanding. I was not trying to get on your case. I’m just a little upset at developments elsewhere and some days my head is not screwed on straight. Brotherly love will prevail!
Dear MWGM Curits : My name is PM. Dale K Hill F&AM-PHA. A bro. in good standing!From the jurisdiction of INDIANA. procided over by our MWGM. Darrell E Morton SR. MY home Lodge Wilson Lodge #12 Marion Ind. I have just relocated here to Houston Tx. 3rd. ward area. I am relaying this information to you in hopes that in your Grand Wisdom. You can direct me to a local lodge here near me that i may able to fellowship with PHA. F&AM masonic brothers here in the Great State of Texas. thank you for your time in reading this letter, and would humblely assist any PHA.F&AM lodge in thier works as needed or wanted. I know this does not go along with the major topic of this web page, but nowhere to turn Yours turely Dale K Hill
I had the opportunity to indirectly meet Grand Master Curtis and he is the real deal, he is humble but yet he stands tall and when GM Curtis speaks, people listen, once again, GM Curtis I thank you for your time and advice as well as your sense of humor, hope to see you soon
Fraternally,
Tracy J House
MWPHGL of Kentucky and its Jurisdictions Inc.
Peace to my masonic brothers I know Dr.Martin L. King was a worthy brother. In August of this year what are the PHA family planning as a hold for this brother. We need to”meet on the level” national for this event.If any GM’s read this please don’t be upset,but this is a time we could show unity as Prince Hall Family to support our brother Memorial in the nation capital.
@ Dale: There are several Lodges in the Houston area. Please get with DDGM Ronald
D. Gerac at: district_deputy@phadistrict15a.org. He can recommend a Lodge nearest you.
Fraternally,
Brian Pindell, PM
Key West Lodge #257
Wichita Falls, TX
Good man, wonderful article!
This really baffles me a bit. I was a Prince Hall Mason for 22 years and 5 years ago, went over to the A.F.& A. M (Black Grand Lodge) here in Texas. In my travels I have researched The History of Prince Hall Masonry, Mainstream(white) Masonry, and the Black Non-Prince Hall Masonry. What I don’t understand is that when A Brother from the PHA side greets a Brother from the 4 letter Non-Prince Hall (Black) side, he is quickly to say that he can’t converse with him. But yet he is willing to seek affirmation from the white mainstream 4 letter side. WOW…if that isn’t hypocritical I don’t know what is. What really is crazy , is that PRINCE HALL MASONRY was once 4 LETTER also.Check your history. 75 percent of the Non Prince Hall Black Grand Lodges are in fact part of the Prince Hall tree of Life.
But i’m just curious the know, WHAT IF…Just What if all those Prince Hall and Non Prince Hall Masons would ever become under one Roof like it was before….Just Imagine That would be a Fraternal Power house like you never imagine. If we can get past the EGOs, Greed, and Power of being in control…It’s very easy to accomplish. If not in my lifetime…Maybe in my Sons. Just a little research note…..Non Prince Hall Masons(Black) actually out number Prince Hall Masons 7 to 1.
I never hear Non Prince Hall Masons knock down Prince Hall Masons, it’s always the other way around. Mainstream does it too, but you embrace them with open arms. Maybe PHA Brothers need to give just a little respect to those Non Prince Hall Brothers, because the way things are going….They might be the ones you really might need sooner than you think.
THANK YOU Brother King. Finally someone said it like it is. What I don’t understand is why do PHA Grand lodges Have to get Recognition from their (white)Mainstream counterparts in order to be recognize by those good ole chaps in England. Really…do you really need their approval in today’s masonry? I too feel that all the Prince Hall and Black non prince hall grand masters need to sit down and really fix this MESS before we don’t have a fraternity. Might have to have it in a stadium….but it would be well worth it. That would be bigger than the Million Man March. Like Bro. King said…..ego’s would have to be left at the gate.