top of page
Silk Sheet Transparent
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
WM_edited_edited.jpg

 

                Redemption Lodge No. 24 F.&A.M., PHA

                                   Mission Statement

 

My mission statement for Redemption Lodge No. 24 during the 2025 administration is to continue our legacy of community service and to support the programs/initiatives of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge and Georgianna Thomas Grand Chapter, OES/PHA.

 

Goals

  • Provide support to the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge.

  • Provide support to the Georgianna Thomas Grand Chapter, OES.

  • Provide support to our sister Chapter – Redemption Chapter No. 14.

  • Provide support to our fellow lodges.

  • Support Redemption Lodge widows and Elderly Members.

  • Strengthen the core of lodge officers.

  • Actively participate in the Grand Lodge School of Instruction.

  • Reclaim brothers of Redemption Lodge No. 24.

  • Provide support to Homeless Veterans.

  • Provide support to needy individuals, families, widows, and distressed brethren.

  • Donate funds to assist a Washington DC/Metropolitan School.

  • Donate funds to Central Union Mission,

  • Increase our exposure within the DC community.

  • Provide individual education scholarships to deserving students in the Washington DC/Metropolitan area.

 

“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver”. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

 

                                                                     Fraternally yours,

                                                                     Rodney E. Branch

                                                                     Worshipful Master

 

 

Redemption Lodge No. 24, F.&A.M., PHA

Chartered 1930

Acceptance Speech

Rodney E. Branch, Worshipful Master

Saturday, November 16, 2024

 

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) 

 

First and foremost, I would like to thank God for his grace and mercy for allowing me to stand here before you this evening.

Right Worshipful and Worshipful Brethren, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Past Masters, officers, and members of Redemption Lodge No. 24, Visiting Worshipful Masters, and Brethren All, Good Evening. It is truly an honor to be granted the privilege and opportunity to serve as your 88th Worshipful Master of Redemption Lodge No. 24.

As I stand here now reflecting on my masonic journey, I can’t help but reminisce when I first truly thought about becoming a Mason, which was in 1986 while studying as an undergrad student at Grambling State University. One of my best college friends and football teammate, whose name is Chris Tyson, just so happened to wear his masonic ring one day, which I immediately inquired if he was a Mason. He replied that he was and stated he was just waiting for me to inquire about it so that he could be my “instructor”.

With some trepidation, I accepted the challenge of learning about Masonry and after months of working with my instructors and proving proficiency, I was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason under the leadership of Worshipful Master Foster Harris, Evangelist Lodge No. 144 F&AM PHA, Grambling LA on November 20, 1987. After graduating in May 1988, I moved back home to Southern California and demitted to Wiley L. Kimbrough Lodge No. 91, Santa Ana, CA then in 1991, I moved to the Washington DC Metropolitan area and in 2011, under the leadership of PM John Harris, demitted to Redemption Lodge No. 24.

My first appointed position was that of Marshall, under the leadership of PM Ronald Smith in 2014.  As a result, this led me to meeting “the man, the myth, the legend”, Emeritus Grand Marshall/PM Alton Goodwine of our brother lodge Pythagoras Lodge No. 9. Working under these leaders allowed me to initially observe and learn the command and order of lodge proceedings. Being appointed and elected to various positions thereafter afforded me the privilege to work with excellent leaders and form everlasting bonds with some great men. Men such as Michael Robinson, who introduced me to Redemption Lodge No. 24 and has remained a strong friend and brother, PM Shawn Wells, an avid supporter of our lodge, and PM Robert Norman, a brother who has consistently displayed his leadership and support to his family, community, and our lodge. To the brothers and past masters whom I am unable to publicly acknowledge this evening, I sincerely express my gratitude and appreciation for your continued support and mentoring as well. Before I forget, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the late PM Anthony Holland.  His support, wise counsel, and presence remains sorely missed.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in unity.” (Psalms 133:1)

To the elected and appointed officers, thank you for your continued commitment and service to this lodge. We will have numerous challenges in 2025 but if we seek God first and work together, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish. Therefore, all suggestions and ideas are welcomed, and I look forward to supporting you individually and collectively to implementing them during the coming year.  Finally, to all Past Masters and members of the lodge, I ask for your assistance in having a successful year and to accomplish that, we must communicate, be consistent, and committed in everything we do to meet our collective goals.

My goal for 2025 is to be as efficient and effective as possible by utilizing our time and resources responsibly so that we meet the needs of our community. Key areas we want to focus on are being as strong as possible in our Masonic and Ritualistic work, provide support to our homeless veterans, provide scholarships to deserving students who desired to pursue their education and training goals, and increase our exposure within the DC community by supporting various ongoing activities and initiatives throughout the jurisdiction.

In conclusion, as a Worshipful Master, I recognize that “the challenge of leadership is to be strong but not rude; be kind but not weak; be bold but not bully, be thoughtful but not lazy; be humble but not timid; be proud but not arrogant; and to have humor but without folly”. I stand prepared for this challenge, knowing it’s not just me and that it’s not about me. It’s about embracing every brother wherever they are and taking the baton from the past masters and ensuring I guide this outstanding Lodge to higher heights.

                                                                                  Fraternally yours,

                                                                                  Rodney E. Branch

                                                                                  Worshipful Master

                   

Redemption Lodge No. 24, F.&A.M., PHA

Past Masters

Name                                       Year(s) Served                       Name                                  Year(s) Served

*Henry I. Gorden                        1930-1931               Truman D. Chambers                           1982

*William H. Carpender              1932                         James C. Borden                                  1983

*William 0. Murray                     1933                         Bobby Ray Huey                                    1984

*Charles F. Fletcher                    1934                        *Richard E. Wheeler, Sr.                        1985

*Henry D. Jackson                     1935                       *Joseph A. Reeder                                  1986

*Henry I. Gorden                         1936                        Johnnie R. Peterson, Jr.                        1987

*John T. French                           1937                        John Ellington, Jr. (77thMWPGM)      1988

*James A. Deal                           1938                         Levon Davis                                           1989

*James W. Tyler                          1939-1940               Chester C. Henry                                  1990

*Nathaniel Davis                          1941                        Alton G. Roundtree                               1991

*Ross I. Flynn                               1942-1943              Roger L. Walker, Sr                               1992

*James W. Anderson                  1944                      *John Gary (Demit)                                1992

*Raymond I. Beacham                1945-1946              Paul A. Barry (Demit)                           1992

*William S. Hawkins                    1947                      *William J. Matthews                            1993

*William A. Thompson, Sr.          1948                      *Earl Hazel, Jr.                                        1994

*Howard W. Smith                        1949                       Alfred C. Barnes                                    1995

*George A. Farrar (MWPGM)      1950                     *Lynzia 0. Teasley                                   1996

*Raymond F. Cooke                      1951                     *Joseph T. Gatling                                  1997

*Herman L. Scott                          1952                     * Theodore Green                                    1998

*Joseph S. Thomas (MWPGM) 1953                     *Robert G. Williams                                 1999

*Robert C. Gray                             1954                     *Raymond L. Scott, Jr.                            2000

*Thomas I. Chase                        1955                       James N. Short, Jr.                                2001

*William T. Scott                           1956                       Everett A. Greene, Sr.                            2002

*Wilfred F. Mitchell                       1957                      John C. Palmer                                       2003

*Guy I. Robinson                           1958                      Maurice T. Hutchins                               2004

*Samuel Perry                               1959                      Juan A. Harris                                         2005

*Claude M. Green                         1960                      Quincy G. Gant (MWPGM)                    2006

*William H. Curry                          1961                      Robert C. Gunn                                       2007

*Roger W. Powell                         1962                       *Anthony Holland, Sr.                            2008

*Lexie B. Hanford                         1963                       Ralph K. Brown                                      2009

*William L. Alston                         1964                      George W. Hunt, Jr                                2010

*Charles E. Scott, Sr.                    1965                      Jon W. Harris                                         2011

 *Richard C. Farrow                      1966                      *Curtis J. Champion                             2012

*Fredy H. Eatmon                         1967                      Carlton D. Richmond                             2013

*Roddy F. Crome                           1968                      Ronald E. Smith, Jr                               2014

*Howard A. Banks                        1969                      Kenneth N. Pough                                 2015

*James E. Thomas, Sr.                 1970                      James A. Harris, Jr.                             2016-2017

*Harry Barber                                 1971                      Michael R. Brown                                 2018

*Ira H. Brown (Demit)                    1971                     James Means                                       2019      

*Robert E. Morina, Sr.                    1972                     Redmond K. Barnes                             2020-2021

*Melvin Moore                                1973                     Robert L. Norman                                2022-2023

*Joe Faucett, Jr.                             1974                     Shawn E. Wells                                     2024

*Carl E. Brown                                1975                     

*Frank Mabry, Jr.                            1976                     

Morris Moore, Jr.                            1977                     

Elmore Q. Bobo                               1978                     

*Charles D. Thomas                       1979                     

*Raymond N. Pritchett                   1980

*Charlie F. Davis                              1981

Contact

To Be One Ask One

contact@redemptionlodge24.com

bottom of page