History of Arlington Lodge No. 58

    Free and Accepted Prince Hall Masons   

                           1888-2022

Throughout our 127 year history, and in spite of many detours along the way, the members of Arlington Lodge #58 have persevered, never losing site of the vision our forefathers left for us.  It is because of the realization of this shared vision, and the dedication and commitment of our masonic brothers, both past and present; we possess the fortitude that has allowed us to continue this long.

Arlington Lodge #58 has had a long and rich history, with many of our masonic brethren making outstanding contributions that have had a far reaching impact, not only in Masonry, but in the community at large, and society in general.  Since it would be impossible to do justice to this 127 year history in a few short paragraphs, we shall briefly refer to "From whence we came, masonically, and the historical formation of Arlington Lodge #58.

In the Year 1845, 17 years before the Emancipation Proclamation, Universal Lodge #I in Alexandria, became the first masonic lodge to be organized by black men in the state of Virginia. (Lodges are given their numbers, or designations, in the order in which they are granted charters.)  Thus Arlington Lodge was granted a charter in October 1888, and was given the number "58."  The first officers were:

Henry L. Holmes, first Worshipful Master, also served as Commissioner of Revenue for Arlington County, Virginia from July 1, 1876 to December 31, 1903 (27 1/2 years without interruption).  In addition to holding this official post, he was a member of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, Stevens Lodge # 1435 for 32 years.  He was also a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and, later, became one of the founders of St. John Baptist Church.  Together with W.H. Butler, he developed the Butler - Holmes subdivision in the area now known as Central Arlington.  He died on April 13, 1905 at the age of 55.  In recognition of Brother Holmes' outstanding work and tradition of community service, a building that was originally located at 2100 N. 14th Street was named in his honor.

For a number of years after the death of Brother Holmes, Arlington Lodge #58 continued to meet at Stevens Lodge Odd Fellows Building (located on the site where the Sheraton Hotel stands today).  In 1963, a fire destroyed the building and much of the written history, including many books and irreplaceable records.  Fortunately, several ledgers were saved from the fire and are now permanently housed in the Virginia Room of the Arlington County Central Library, as part of the Edmund C. Fleet, Jr. collection.

For a number of years to follow, the lodge continued to meet at the Hoffman-Boston School located in South Arlington.  Many records of the lodge were kept in the homes of the Secretaries and the Worshipful Masters of the lodge until the completion of the Arlington # 58 Lodge building.  Arlington Lodge #58 moved into its new building in the Year 1994.

Brother Edmund C. Fleet, Sr., donated the original Tiler's sword to Arlington Lodge in 1888.  This sword too, would have been lost in the 1963 fire, had it not been for the quick thinking of Brother Edmund C. Fleet Jr.  You need only to look at the handle of the sword to see the great risk that Brother Fleet took in order to save this masonic symbol for future generations.  Bro Fleet's widow, Mrs. Alice Fleet returned this sword to Arlington Lodge #58 at its building dedication service in 1994.  Our brethren are grateful to her for the care and safekeeping, which she provided during the time that she cared for one of Masonry's most symbolic possessions -- the Tiler's Sword.

Arlington Lodge #58 has functioned masonically for more than 127 years, except/for the period during World War II.  At the end of the war, in 1945, the lodge was reorganized with the help of Lincoln Lodge #11 of Alexandria.  On July 19 of that year, a dispensation was granted to elect officers; Brother John Galloway was elected Worshipful Master of Arlington Lodge #58.

On September 7, 1945, Arlington Lodge #58 adopted as its appendant body, Arlington Chapter #173, Order of the Eastern Star.  This newly formed organization consisted of the wives, mothers, widows, sisters, and daughters of Freemasons.  Sister Eliza P. Graham was the first Worthy Matron, and Bro. George Gee was the first Worthy Patron.

Each year, the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Virginia host the "Jewel Contest”; subordinate lodges from throughout Virginia compete to see, which lodge is the most proficient on floor and ritualistic work.  In 1981, Arlington Lodge #58 won this most coveted award.

On September 18, 1986, Worshipful Past Master William F. Milton was elected Right Worshipful Junior Grand Deacon for the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Virginia, in effect, becoming Arlington Lodge's first member ever in the Grand Line.  In 1996, Brother Milton became Most Worshipful Grand Master of Prince Hall Masons for the Jurisdiction of Virginia.

Other members of Arlington Lodge that have  or currently serving as Appointed Grand Lodge Officers: Worshipful Past Master Jessie Graham ( Past District Deputy Grand Master), Worshipful Past Master John M. Doles (Past District Deputy Grand Master), Worshipful Past Master James T. Gaskill, Jr. (Past Assistant District Deputy Grand Master), Worshipful Past Master Quincy A. Henderson (Worshipful Past Grand Pursuivant), Brother Rufus B. Robinson (Worshipful Past Assistant Grand Pursuivant), Worshipful Past Master Archie Green, Jr. (Worshipful Past Senior Grand Steward), Worshipful Past Master Carlton W. Newton (Committee on Work 1996 to -2006) , Worshipful Past Master Eddie Key (Committee on Work, 2014-Pres), Bro. Neville Welch (Committee on Budget 2014-Pres), Bro. Antonio Adams (Committee on Health, 2012-Pres).  Worshipful Master Julius D. Spain, Sr. currently serves on the Publication Committee (2012-Pres and Jurisprudence Committee (2014-Pres).

In 1994, during the administration of then Worshipful Master Samuel Avery, Jr., Arlington Lodge began the process of looking for a new home.  Brother Avery, along with Worshipful Past Master Archie Green, Jr., set out to find a builder to assist them.  Once a builder was found, the lodge began the work of obtaining financial support.  The lodge had begun a building fund to support this effort.  Brother Avery appointed a finance committee consisting of the following members: Worshipful Past Master Archie Green, Jr., Worshipful Past Master Earl Valentine, Jr., Worshipful Past Master Robert L. Reed, Worshipful Past Master James T. Gaskill, Jr., Worshipful Past Master William F. Milton, Jr., Worshipful Past Master Quincy A. Henderson, Worshipful Past Master Robert J. Burnette, Brother Robert L. Weddington, and Brother Larry L. Broussard.

The finance committee set out to find a bank that would provide a loan for construction.  The committee approached several banks and finally received an initial verbal offer.  After previously giving the lodge early verbal approval for a loan, the bank came back six month later and informed the lodge that they needed stronger finances before the bank would approve a building loan.  The lodge worked diligently to obtain stronger financing and, when it re-presented its financials to the bank, the bank agreed that they, in fact, were stronger and met all of the necessary criteria for a loan. 

Thus, the lodge was granted a loan to begin the work on its new building.   During the construction, Worshipful Past Master Robert Reed served as the overseer of the construction.  Worshipful Past Master Lewis H. Nelson, Worshipful Past Master Robert Reed, with the help of other speculative and operative masons, bricked the front of the building and other key structures.

On November 2, 2013 during the administration of then Worshipful Master Eddie Key, Arlington Lodge celebrated its 125^th Anniversary and Mortgage Burning Ceremony at Spates Hall Community Club and Conference Center, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Fort Myer, Virginia.  This was an historic event and joyous occasion as members of Arlington Lodge and the local community celebrated the final mortgage payment being made earlier that year under the administration of Worshipful Master Jeffrey Schons. The Honorable Shelton Riddick #323, Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Virginia, Free and Accepted Masons, Inc. and The Honorable John T. Doles, Sr. #19 of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia attended the event.   The oldest living member of the lodge, Worshipful Past Master Thomas E. Adams, Sr. (95 years old) was also present.

W.E.B. Dubois is quoted as saying, "Throughout history, the powers of single black men flash here and there like falling stars, and sometimes die before the world has richly gauged their brightness." Fortunately, the seeds of "brightness" planted in 1775 by Prince Hall, our first Masonic Grand Master and his original 14 brothers, continue to illuminate and guide the more than one-half million Prince Hall Masons from around the globe.  We, the members of Arlington Lodge #58, being historically linked to Prince Hall, feel both a sense of pride and humility, as we commemorate another year in the history of our lodge. 

We attest by our continued presence and participation, that from the labors of our first Worshipful Master, Henry L. Holmes, and his 12 craftsmen, to the labors of our present Worshipful Master, Julius D. Spain, Sr. and his 84 craftsmen (including 26 Worshipful Past Masters and three life members) that this work shall not be in vain. 

Many of our worthy brethren, who laid the visionary foundation for the building of our lodge, are no longer among us on this side of veil; however, they can rest in peace knowing that "the attentive ear is still receiving the sound of the instructive tongue, "and that Arlington Lodge #58, 126 years after its inception, is still seeking to promote the highest type of Manhood based on the practices of Brotherly Love, Charity, and Truth.

Originated by Worshipful Past Master Raymond A. Phelps

Updated by Worshipful Past Master Carlton W. Newton in 2013

Updated by Worshipful Past Master Eddie A. Key in 2013

Updated by Lodge Historian Brother William A. Brown, Jr. in July 2014

Updated by Lodge Historian Brother William A. Brown, Jr in February 2015

By order of Worshipful Master Julius D. Spain, Sr.