History of MW E. M. Hunter Grand Lodge and Subordinate Lodges
In 2007 the Most Worshipful Abraham Grand Lodge and Rosemary Grand Chapter was seeking a new direction after the passing of Most Worshipful Grand Master Edward Martin Hunter 33°. This proposed new direction by the Grand Master of Abraham Grand Lodge caused waves in the jurisdiction. The members were lost, confused, and became stagnant with no direction. Bro Derrick McKinney was a young brother in Abram Lodge #7 with a vision that would keep Grand Master Hunter’s legacy alive under new leadership. Bro. Derrick McKinney would call other Worshipful Masters from lodges of Isaiah #5, Genesis #1, Edward Martin Hunter Lodge #3 and Gideon #8. These brothers got together and decided to make a call to Leonard Polk 33o to see if he would lead these group of men and accept the position of Grand Master. Once word had gotten out that Leonard Polk 33o would help start and lead this new grand lodge, brothers start coming together to help derive a plan. Brothers had reached out to Past Grand Master Hunter’s family to get their blessings to name the new grand lodge after him in his honor. Most Worshipful Edward Martin Hunter Grand Lodge of Texas was chartered on June 27, 2008, by Most Worshipful Saint Andrews Grand Lodge out of New Orleans, LA by Most Worshipful Grand Master Robert Jefferson 33°. The following brothers would be the first officers of EM Hunter Grand Lodge:
Grand Master – Most Worshipful Leonard Polk 33°
Deputy Grand Master – Right Worshipful Bryon Thompson 33°
Grand Senior Warden – Right Worshipful Jason Gibbs 32°
Grand Junior Warden – Right Worshipful Brandon K Houston 32°
Grand Secretary – Right Worshipful Mark Banks 32°
Grand Treasure – Right Worshipful Ron Foster 7°
Grand Tyler – Right Worshipful Adrian Pujoue 13°
The following lodges would be under dispensation under The Most Worshipful Edward Martin Hunter Grand Lodge
- Genesis
- Caleb
- Gideon
- Chosen Warriors
- Isaiah
- Malachi
- Abram
Rosemary Grand Chapter would join E.M. Hunter Grand Lodge in its new beginnings under the leadership of R.W. Brian Thomson 33° as Grand Patron and R.W. Reginald Stewart 33° as Associate Grand Patron. In 2008 we would gain two additional lodges Brothers of the Seven Veils #8 and Ionic #9. In 2010 the Grand Lodge was moving in the right direction and making great strides. In September of 2010, Most Worshipful Leonard Polk 33° honored R.W. Bryan Thomson 33° and R.W. Reginald Stewart 33° for all their hard work and presented them with the honors of the rights, lights, and benefits of Honorary Past Grand Masters of The Most Worshipful Edward Martin Hunter Grand Lodge Jurisdiction of Texas Inc. E. M. Hunter Grand Lodge was trying to find its identity and lost Caleb lodge #2. The Grand Lodge stayed on the move and continue to grow across Texas by forming Sons of Thunder Lodge #2 in Dallas, TX in 2012. Grand Master Polk 33o was excelling at leading this young Grand Lodge and brothers but felt we were spread too thin. Ionic Lodge #9 became stagnant along with the brothers of the Seven Veils #8. Instead of losing good brothers to low numbers in local lodges he would combine lodges. The Brothers of the Seven Veils #8 would combine with Gideon #3 and the brothers from Abram Lodge #7 would combine with Genesis #1. In 2013 Eureka #96 was added to the fold to continue the tradition of expanding the Grand Lodge’s footprint in the Houston area. Unfortunately, Sons of Thunder Lodge #2 in Dallas, TX would become stagnant due to dwindling membership participation. Despite this minor setback, the Grand Lodge was constantly making new leaders every day and it didn’t take long for another opportunity of growth. Grand Master Polk would give another lodge dispensation in 2020 which would be called Strength and Loyalty #2 in Houston TX. Grand Master Leonard Polk 33° would serve as Grand Master from 2007 to 2021. In September of 2021 Brandon K. Houston Sr. 33° was elected Grand Master of Edward Martin Hunter Grand Lodge Jurisdiction of Texas. In September of 2022 Grand Master Houston 33° bestowed the rights lights and benefits of Honorary Past Grand Master to Darlywon Jerrols 33° and Purvis Patrick 33. Edward Martin Hunter Grand Lodge continues to make a difference in its community to this present day.
Subordinate Lodges
Genesis #1
Genesis Lodge #1 was granted dispensation in September of 2003 under Abraham Grand Lodge by MW Grand Master Weston Jarvis 33o. The following brothers served as the first officers of the lodge:
Worship Master -- Jason Gibbs
Senior Warden -- Robert Green
Junior Warden -- Jeremy Kiser
Genesis #1 worked under Abraham Grand Lodge until 2007. In 2007 Genesis was granted dispensation under MW E.M. Hunter Grand Lodge. On June 27, 2008, Gensis #1 was issued a charter governed by MW E.M. Hunter Grand lodge under the leadership of Grand Master Leonard Polk 33o.
Strength in Loyalty #2
In 2020 Strength in Loyalty #2 was granted dispensation under the MW E.M. Hunter Grand Lodge by Grand Master Leonard Polk 33o with the following members serving as its officers:
Worship Master -- Kenneth Davis
Senior Warden -- Juron Ware
Junior Warden -- Gerald Leday
Secretary – James Law, Sr
Deacon – V. Evans
On Sept 10th, 2020, K. Davis was asked by (then) Grand Master Lenard Polk, if he would like to build a new Lodge of his own creation. K. Davis took the opportunity, and permission of Grand Master Lenard Polk, to start the new lodge. K. Davis named the lodge “Strength In Loyalty.” On October 29, 2020, K. Davis recruited two master masons (A. Ware and G. Leday) to complete a lodge of master masons and turned in the signed petition for the new lodge to the Grand Master. This was G.M. Lenard January 14, 2021, Strength In Loyalty #2, now a lodge of 5 (adding J. Law, V. Evans), received a formal Dispensation for the new lodge at the January grand lodge meeting. On September 17, 2022, Strength In Loyalty #2, now a lodge of 9 (G. Field, B. Woods, S. “Frank” McNickels, M. Hall, and J. Curtis,) received its charter from E.M. Hunter Grand lodge empowering it to work as a full-fledged chartered lodge of M.W.E.M Hunter Grand Lodge. On September 11, 2023, Strength In Loyalty #2, raised 3 new Master Masons. (Kevin Triggs, Nelson Washington, and Kevin Stewart.)
Gideon #3
Gideon #3 was granted a charter under Abraham Grand Lodge by Most Worshipful Edward Martin Hunter 33o in 1997 with the following brothers serving as the first officers of the lodge:
Worship Master – Weston Jarvis
Senior Warden – Leonard Polk
Junior Warden –
Gideon was given the number 8 by Most Worshipful Edward Martin Hunter which signified new beginning. Gideon worked under Abraham Grnd Lodge until 2007. In 2007 Edward Martin Hunter Lodge 3# was combined with Gideon #8 to form Gidon #3. Also in 2007, Gideon #3 was granted dispensation under MW E.W. Hunter Grand Lodge. On June 27, 2008, Gideon #3 was issued a charter governed by The MW E.M. Hunter Grand Lodge under the leadership of Grand Master Leonard Polk 33o.
Chosen Warriors #4
Chosen Warrior #4 opened its doors September 23, 1992. It was originally named Chosen Warrior #6 when it received dispensation and charter from WM Brighter Light Gand Lodge in Houston, TX. Bright Light was a member of the Ahiman Rezon Independent Supreme Council. The original location was 7440 Coffee St. Houston, TX. The lodge was founded by:
Worship Master – Harold Alford, Sr.
Senior Warden –
Junior Warden –
Chosen Warrior #4 started as a “military lodge” under the leadership of Harold Alford, Sr. in 1992. The discipline and direction of the military founding has lead “C-Dubb” to become the 2022 WM E.M. Hunter Grand lodge, Lodge of the Year and one of the most popular and most recognized lodges in the State of Texas.
Isaiah #5
Isaiah Lodge #5 was granted dispensation in September of 2003 under Abraham Grand Lodge by Most Worshipful Weston Jarvis 33o. The following brothers served as the first officers of the lodge:
Worship Master – Brandon Houston
Senior Warden – James Hunter
Junior Warden – Adrian Pujoue
Secretary – Ian Criddle
Treasurer – Gary Owens
Isaiah #5 worked under Abraham Grand Lodge until 2007. In 2007, Isaiah #5 was granted dispensation under MW E.M. Hunter Grand Lodge. On June 27, 2008, Isaiah #5 was issued a charter to work governed by MW E.M. Hunter Grand Lodge under the leadership of Grand Master Leonard Polk 33o.
Malachi #6
Malachi Lodge #14 was granted dispensation in 2003 under Abraham Grand Lodge by MW Weston Jarvis 33o in Huntsville, Texas on the campus of Sam Houston State University. Malachi #14 was chartered in 2004. The following brothers served as the first officers of the lodge:
Worship Master – Darylwon Jerrols
Senior Warden – Dallas Jones
Junior Warden – Louis Porter
Malachi #14 worked under Abraham Grand Lodge until the jurisdictional split in 2007. At that time, Malachi #14 was granted dispensation under the newly formed MW E.M. Hunter Grand Lodge. On June 27, 2008, Malachi #14 was rechartered as Malachi #6 governed by MW E.M. Hunter Grand Lodge under the leadership of GM Leonard Polk 33o.
Eureka #96
Eureka #96 was originally given dispensation to open as an Ancient Lodge of Freemasons August 11, 1958, in Houston, Texas by MW Grand Master R.B. Alexander of Sunset Grand Lodge in Dallas, TX. On the 8th day of January 1959, a charter was granted, and the officers were duly installed. In the late 1990’s, lodge membership began to decline as many members had begun to succumb to old age and were unable to perform the necessary tasks to keep the lodge afloat. Due to this reason and under the charge of MW Grand Master Bob Walker, the lodge was forced to go Dark, and the Charter was surrendered to Sunset Grand Lodge. However, on the Eve of Thanksgiving 2007, a call was placed to MW Grand Master Walker about rechartering Eureka #96. On January 8, 2008, MW Grand Master Bob Walker of Sunset Grand Lodge granted dispensation and appointed the following principle officers until the charter was obtained:
Worship Master – Chester L. Green, Jr.
Senior Warden – Jonathan H. McFarland Jr.
Junior Warden – Quinton Jones, Jr.
In 2013, the members of Eureka voted to part ways with Sunset Grand Lodge in Dallas, TX. In that same year, the current member at that time voted to accept dispensation from the MW E.M. Hunter Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. Jurisdiction of Texas, INC. Eureka #96 received its charter in the same year.
This concludes the current history of The Most Worshipful Edward Martin Hunter Grand Lodge and its Subordinate Lodges as of 2023. This document will be entered into the record at the Grand Session of MW E.M. Hunter Grand Lodge September 2023.
History brought to you by Carlos Buford 14° senior warden Eureka #96
