Historical Highlights of Redemption Lodge No. 24

Past Master Henry I. Gordon, Founder and Father of Redemption Lodge #24, F&AM, and a working member of Eureka Lodge No. 5, was impressed by the goodwill of working Masonic units. It was determined Redemption Lodge would become a valuable asset in the fraternal chain and; thereupon, wise counsel was sought for its establishment from Most Worshipful Grand Master Charles P. Ford.

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Grand Master Ford approved of an intricate plan of development, and on October 27, 1927, P. M. Gordon convened a meeting of several Brethren, at 1727 - 13th Street, N.W., to form a Masonic club. Therefore, under the leadership of P. M. William Westray, Redemption Lodge, while under dispensation, applied for a Charter with six (6) names appended.

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On Saturday, November 29, 1930, at 8:00 p.m., while convening at the new Masonic Hall, the Grand Lodge of the Acacia Right, in Washington, D.C., constituted, dedicated and chartered Redemption Lodge No. 24, F & AM, into the Masonic Family, and installed its first officers, William H. Gordon, Worshipful Master; William M. Carpenter, Senior Warden; Charles E. Walden, Junior Warden; Robert Campbell, Secretary; William N. Rouse, Treasurer; Charles S. Fletcher, Senior Deacon; E.O. Bailey, Junior Deacon; William 0. Murray, Sr., and William M. Scott, Jr., Master of Ceremonies; James Youngblood, Senior Steward; H.D. Jackson, Junior Steward; Henry Mullen, Marshal; and James E. Washington, as Tiler.

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Over the succeeding years, Redemption Lodge No. 24, at one time, had risen in its membership to well over 450 active members, with two living charter members. Eighty-four (87) have been elected to serve as Worshipful Master; 60 have been called from "labor to reward". Three (3) Past Masters demitted to Redemption Lodge No. 24 after completion of service as Worshipful Master in other jurisdictions (Conn., N.Y., Va.). Of the three, one was raised (P.M Paul A. Barry) in Redemption Lodge No. 24 in the "Class of 1975". He served as Worshipful Master in the jurisdiction of Oklahoma.

Redemption Lodge is proud to have four (4) of its members rise to the rank of Most Worshipful Grand Master: the late MWPGM George A. Farrar_(1957-1958), the late MWPGM Joseph S. Thomas (1967-1968), MWPGM John Ellington, Jr. (2001-2002), MWGM Quincy G. Gant, (2019-2020).

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We are equally proud to acknowledge 'GL Emeritus' titles that were bestowed upon the following Past Masters: the late PM Richard C. Farrow, RWG Secy.-Emeritus; the late PM Robert E. Morina, Sr., WAG Musician-Emeritus; the late PM Joseph T. Gatling, WAGD of Comm. Affairs-Emeritus; the late PM William J. Matthews, WAGD of Pub. Rela­tions-Emeritus, and the late PM Earl Hazel, Jr. 33o, WG Auditor-Emeritus.

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Past Masters currently hold `GL Emeritus' titles: PM Bobby R. Huey, RWG Trustee-Emeritus; PM James C. Borden, WGSB-Emeritus; PM Levon Davis, WAGSB-Emeritus; PM James N. Short, Jr., WGD of Spec. Proj.-Emeritus; PM Paul A. Barry, WAG Lecturer-Emeritus; PM Everett A. Greene, Sr., WAG Pho­tographer-Emeritus.

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Present (2023) Elected GL Officer: PM Robert C. Gunn,  RWG Trustee; Appointed GL Officers: PM Alton Roundtree, WG Editor-in-Chief-Emeritus, Masonic Digest; Bro. Alonza Tehuti Evans, WG Historian and Archivist, Masonic Digest, and W.M. of David A. McWilliams Research & Ed Lodge; PM Carlton D. Richmond, , WAGD of Community Relations & Public Affairs; PM Ronald E. Smith Jr., Asst. Grand Lecturer and PM Kenneth Pough Assistant Grand Orator.

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The golden rays of Redemption Lodge #24 continues to shine under the present leadership of Worshipful Master Rodney E. Branch, and his corp. of officers, S.W. Melvin Cammon; J.W. Scott Espeut; PM Ralph K. Brown, Treasurer, and PM Maurice T. Hutchins, Secretary.