A group of past and present members of Elijah S. Betts Lodge #23, F&AM, PHA, Bloomington, IL decided to form their own lodge in Chicago, IL. Most of the membership of ESB #23 consisted of several men who were either students at Illinois State University or employed at State Farm Insurance Corporate Headquarters in Bloomington, IL. Several of the ESB #23 members who moved back to their hometown of Chicago decided to form a new lodge to continue their close bond and practice Masonry. The idea was initially thought of in 2001. It took several to get enough serious members to actually carry out the plan.

The first informal meeting was  February 15, 2007. All the informal meetings took place in the home of Bro. Christopher “Juice” Calhoun. The Brothers came up with a lodge name, mission statement, and ideas for social and service projects. To pay homage to ESB #23, the group decided the lodge name would be “Union”. Elijah S. Betts #23 was originally Union #23 before being renamed of P.M. Elijah S. Betts.

With the creativity of Bro. Erwin Staples and input from the Brothers, the mission statement was decided to be:

“to be recognized as a lodge of enthusiastic, innovative, and forward thinking men - united in God, fellowship and service, dedicated to mutual self-improvement, and committed to making a positive difference within our communities.”

The group decided to first form a social club. This would serve two purposes. We needed to get re-acquainted with one another and get used to functioning as a unit again. Also, to start building track record of activities to show the Grand Lodge that we were serious about being active in the community. Bro. Calhoun said the name of the social club would be “Men of Vision”. Bro. Cooley added “Excellence” at the end. The acronym would be “M.O.V.E.”

The first group activity was to participate in the March of the Dimes “WalkAmerica” on April 29, 2007. The next was to attend the Mason of the Year Banquet honoring R.W. Bro. Aubrey K. Barlow. Bro. Barlow was their good friend and also a member of ESB #23.

In June 2007, the members decided that the proposed meeting date and time of lodge meetings would be every 2nd Thursdays at 7:30pm. There was a vote that the first principal officers of Union Lodge would be:

Worshipful Master, Michael T. Humphrey

Senior Warden, Adrian V. Cooley

Junior Warden, Christopher “Juice” Calhoun

On July 18, 2007 the members of the M.O.V.E. interest club met with Grandmaster Jones and discussed their interest and reason for starting a new lodge. (Coincidentally, P.M. Michael T. Humphrey had the leave this meeting early to witness the birth of his daughter) Grandmaster Jones approved their request. Plans were immediately put into motion to acquire the necessary items and materials to have their first meeting as a lodge.

October 11, 2007, First lodge meeting of Union Lodge U.D.
(Seated: S.W. Adrian V. Cooley, W.M. Michael T. Humphrey P.M., J.W. Christopher M. Calhoun. Standing: S.D. Thomas J. Revish P.M., Treas. Erwin L. Staples, Tyler Abdulrahim M. Ali, Maurice Walton)

October 11, 2007 was the first official meeting of Union Lodge U.D. Over the next several months the Brothers got busy working as Masons. During the time of its dispensation, Union was present during all major Grand Lodge events including the

• The MWPHGL of Illinois “Feed The Needy” Thanksgiving project serving food to the homeless.
• On December 29, 2007 the lodge was in attendance for the 1st District annual Public Installation ceremony in Chicago. They were recognized as one of the newest lodges under dispensation.
• Mid-Year session in Schaumburg, February 29, 2008 - March 2, 2008
• 1st District St. John’s Day in Chicago - June 22, 2008
• 142nd Grand Lodge Session in Springfield, Il - August 7-8, 2008

At the Grand Lodge Session in Springfield, IL on August 8, 2008 (8-8-8), R.W. Brother Dwayne A. Smith, Grand Lecturer recommended that Union Lodge U.D. be granted a charter. The Grand Lodge voted favorably and Union Lodge U.D. was officially Union Lodge #155. M.W. Angelo W. Jones, Grandmaster, praised Union for its work and encouraged to keep up the good work and grow.

(Brothers of Union Lodge listening to good and wholesome instruction from MW Bro. Angelo W. Jones, Grandmaster at Grand Session)

(Front Row: Bro. Abdulrahim M. Ali, Tyler, Bro. Adrian V. Cooley, S.W., W. Bro. Michael T. Humphrey, W.M., Bro. Christopher Calhoun, J.W., W. Bro. Thomas Revish P.M., S.D. Standing: Honorary Union Brother - R.W. Bro. Aubrey K. Barlow - Grand Auditor , Bro. Louis Clay, Chaplain, Bro. Latee Bauswell, Marshall, Bro. Art Ciegotura, S.S., Bro. Surajadeen Adebayo, J.S.)

The constitution ceremony took place on November 8, 2008 at the Prince Hall Temple in Chicago, IL.  The ceremony was performed by the R.W. Grand Lecturer.  The M.W. Grandmaster again encouraged Union Lodge to keep up the good work.

Union has pledged to continue to performing the work of Masons upon the constitution of its charter and for years beyond. 

LIST OF CHARTER MEMBERS

PART II

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