| Russell L. Parks, Council of Deliberation Frankfurt Germany Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, PHA
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History
Originally prepared by the late SGIG Dr. Verne Jenkins, Deputy of the Orient, Western Europe. Dr Jenkins gave credit to research done by the late Rev. S. Paul Dixon, Past Commander-in-Chief, Prince Hall Military Consistory No. 304, Frankfurt Germany.
While doing research for this brief outline of the history of the Council of Deliberation, Western Europe. Deputy Jenkins reminded us of the need for repositories for our treasured information. He further stated that much of the history of the "Prince Hall Masonic European Experience" has been lost or sequestered in the brief cases of many of you who will read his attempt to document our past. All across the "domain" he saw an urgent need to gather all Masonic records, at the local level, and cause them to be placed in safe keeping. Forty plus years ago, while the struggle for civil rights was being waged on the frontiers of America; while we were being thrown in jails and beaten for our political believes, our churches being bombed, our children being lynched and torched, there emerged several great men with dreams for the future. While likewise a continent away, another great dream was emerging under the leadership of other great men. Men of vision. Such was the beginning of Prince Hall Military Consistory No. 304, comprising membership from Prince Hall Military Lodge No. 140, which was at the time located in the Bavarian City of Bamberg Germany. In April 1963, Worshipful Master Ernest W. Armstrong (PHML No. 140) dispatched a letter to then Sovereign Grand Commander John G. Lewis requesting permission to establish a Consistory. Sovereign Grand Commander Lewis, without hesitation, granted permission for the establishment of the requested organization. However, he stated that due to his busy schedule he, himself, would not be able to attend the dedication ceremony, but the Lieutenant Grand Commander, Amos T. Hall, would make the trip and confer the required degrees. In addition, sometime in April 1963, a series of meetings were chaired by Armstrong to decide who would fill the various positions in the new Consistory. It was unanimously agreed upon that the following brothers would serve as the first officers of the Consistory, which would be named Prince Hall Military Consistory (304):
• John E. Murphy First Lieutenant Commander • Earl A. Clark Second Lieutenant Commander • Samuel D. Tucker, Jr. KOSA • Roy Roberts Treasurer In addition, the following brothers would fill the offices indicated: Arnold Dukes, Thrice Potent Master, Joe L. Persons, Deputy Master Tyre, Wallace Davis, Venerable Senior Warden, James Missouri, Venerable Junior Warden. Robert Pringle, Most Wise and Perfect Master, Chester Wright, Most Excellent Perfect Senior Warden, William Covington, Most Excellent Perfect Junior Warden. Leon A. Moten, Grand Commander, Jessie L. Gribble, Grand Chancellor, and Wesely Walker, Grand Architect. On 28 June 1963, at approximately 0800 hrs, HISTORY was made! Prince Hall Military Consistory was called to order by Prince Herbert Dailey, who was presiding under direction from Lieutenant Grand Commander Amos T. Hall, who was also the Most Worshipful Grand Master for the jurisdiction of Oklahoma. There were ninety-two (92) candidates present to receive the degrees. The following Sublime Princes assisted in the conferring of the degrees: Donald H. Coleman, Albert Gains, Donald Jones, Edward McCree, Carl McLauden, Elvis Miles, Robert Jackson, and C.F. Goodwater. Brother Hall installed the officers of the concordant bodies before the completion of the day's work. On 29 June 1963, Brother Hall completed the installation of Consistory officers, in addition to naming Commander- in-Chief Armstrong as "Deputy Sovereign Grand Commander for Europe" making him the first Scottish Rite Deputy for Europe. On 14 Dec 1963, the first election of officers for PHMC took place. The results were as follows: CIC Herbert Dailey, 1stLT Cdr, John E. Murphy, 2nd LT Cdr, Donald Jones, KOSA, John Lockett, Treasurer, Daniel Hurt. On 8 June 1964, because of the pending departure, Deputy Armstrong announces that he has requested that a new deputy be named, also during this same time, for reasons which are unclear, (probably rotations) John Murphy is installed as Commander-in-Chief. On 29 November 1964, CIC Murphy announced that he had received permission to establish a Golden Circle Court. That same month new leadership emerged within PHMC 304. Russell Parks becomes the CIC, Murphy becomes Deputy. On 31 March 1965, Murphy announces the first meeting of the Council of Deliberation. The primary purpose of this first meeting was to select princes to receive the 33rd degree. From this first council of deliberation, the following brothers were selected to receive the last degree in masonry: James E. Brown, Jr., Daniel R. Hunt, and Daniel Freeman. It was also during this time period that Donald H. Coleman and J. Mark Magee demitted into PHMC 304. On 6 August 1965, Murphy informs the camps of his pending departure and that James C. Hudson would become the deputy. The history continues with many Masonic stalwarts making their mark in Western Europe. Donald Coleman becomes the commander-in-chief in 1966 and serves until his appointment to Deputy of the Orient in 1968. He held this position until 1987, at which time Verne E. Jenkins was appointed Deputy by then Sovereign Grand Commander, Dr. I. H. Clayborn. Deputy Jenkins served until his passing on 11 April 2001. From this beginning four (5) Councils of Deliberation emerged. (1) COD Western Europe, E.W. Armstrong first Deputy (SGIG Don D. Robinson, current), (2) COD England, Sheldon Redden first Deputy (SGIG Lonsdale Skinner current), (3) COD Korea, Deary Vaughn first Deputy (SGIG Alvin K. Wilkins current and (4) COD Western Europe, Northern Jurisdiction first and current Deputy SGIG Andrew Morgan, (5) COD Middle East First and Current Deputy SGIG Matthew Smith. The Council of Deliberation, Western Europe continued to flourish. Growing from one Consistory to a maximum total of fifteen and a State Assembly consisting of six assemblies currently under the leadership of SGLLR Diane Wilson. Also of significance, in 1993, members of the 9th Masonic District, jurisdiction of Washington, petitioned Sovereign Grand Commander Samuel Brogdon Jr. to obtain dispensation to organize a Council of Deliberation under the Northern Jurisdiction. Brother Brogdon heard their plea and gave his blessings. This organization, under the dynamic leadership of its' deputy SGIG Andrew Morgan, also the District Deputy Grand Master for the jurisdiction of Washington, continues the "European Scottish Rite Experience", working closely with the brothers of the Southern Jurisdiction and its' Deputy. Foutry-three years have gone by very fast. Obviously, for the sake of brevity, it could not all be captured for this particular publication. However, we are all proud of the fact that many prominent Prince Hall Masons have toiled in the Masonic Fields of Europe. They include but are not limited to, SGC Deary Vaughn who also serves as the MWGM (Oklahoma), MWGM Benjamin Barksdale (Georgia), PMWGM Harold Wolder (Arizona), MWGM Sheldon Redden (Maryland), PMWGM Michael Boone (Alaska), MWGM Harold H. Bendaw (New Mexico), MWGM Althouse (Kansas), SGIG Joseph Walkes, SGIG Don D. Robinson, SGIG Alan S. Webster, GIG J. Mark Magee, GIG Russell Parks, GIG Carlease Jones, GIG William Gore, GIG Wilmer V. Garden, GIG John L. Grant, GIG George B. Swanston, GIG Irving Henry, GIG William C.E. Sayles, SGIG James R. Branham, GIG Benjamin F. Watson, SGIG Junior N. Glenn, GIG Michael A. Delgado, GIG S. Paul Dixon, SGIG George Barnes, GIG Raymond Pipkins, GIG Pernell Cooper, GIG John Robinson, GIG Edward J. Reese, GIG Henry James, GIG Robert Epps, GIG John L. Lemasters, SGIG Darnell Phenix, SGIG Leroy Lassiter, SGIG Andrew Morgan, SGIG Alvin K. Wilkins, GIG Joseph T. Thornton, GIG Anthony Bowns, GIG Charles A. Spikes, GIG Clifford Parks, GIG John A. Caldwell, GIG Clifford Bankhead, GIG Samuel Gregory, GIG Harry C. Jones, GIG Lionel Cartwright, GIG Don Ferebe, GIG Robert N. Hicks, GIG John R. Green, GIG Mordecai Williams, GIG Ron Wilson, GIG George L. Shaw Sr. and Arnold H. Dukes (Class of 63) NOTE: Updated by SGIG Don D. Robinson, Deputy of the Orient, Russell L. Parks, Council of Deliberation, Western Europe on 9 November 2006. Deputy Robinson request that if anyone has any written documentation pertaining to the history of this Orient please submit it to the Webmaster of this site. |
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