THE MOTHER LODGE: Elijah S. Betts #23

All of the members who petitioned the Grandmaster for a charter to start a new lodge were past members of Elijah S. Betts #23, Bloomington, IL. Previously E.S.B. #23 was called Union Lodge #23 before it was re-named in honor of the late Worshipful Brother Elijah S. Betts, P.M. The current Union Lodge is named in honor of our “mother” lodge.

You may visit the Elijah S. Betts Lodge #23 website at http://esb23.org/

Here is the history of Elijah S. Betts #23

Prince Hall Freemasonry in

Bloomington, Illinois

Prince Hall Freemasonry in Bloomington, Illinois traces its heritage back to African Lodge No. 459.  The “African Grand Lodge of North America” formed in 1791 is now known as the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of  Massachusetts, F&AM.

The Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts   became the Mother Grand Lodge for the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.  The Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania chartered three lodges in the state of Ohio which led to the formation of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio.  In likewise manner, the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio chartered three lodge in Illinois which led to the formation of what is now known as the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, State of Illinois and Jurisdiction in 1867.

At the first annual communication on June 20,1867 "Evening Star No. 4" of Bloomington was granted a warrant. The warrant for Evening Star No. 4 was suspended in 1877 and Union Lodge was organized under dispensation that same year. The reasons for the suspension of Evening Star's warrant were not available but on October 9, 1877, Union Lodge No. 23 received its warrant. 

   Worshipful Masters George A. Hill of Evening Star No. 4 and Edward Smith of Tyre No. 23 submitted a joint resolution in 1879 to: 

• Consolidate both lodges under No. 23 because both lodges struggled with membership issues.
• Change the name from Tyre to Union because "In union there is strength" - George A. Hill.

This lodge also stopped functioning during 1969, in which the charter was forfeited at the 95th Annual Communication on October 10, 1961. Union Lodge #23’s charter was revived in 1981 by Most Worshipful Bro. Edward Sykes, Grand Master and due to the large influence by a brother named Elijah Sherman Betts.  Shortly after Betts death in 1982, Union Lodge #23’s was changed to Elijah S. Betts Lodge #23 in 1984 in his honor. 

      Elijah S. Betts Lodge #23 is still continuing the tradition and legacy of Prince Hall Freemasonry in Bloomington today.  Also, joining the Prince Hall Masonic family and residing in Bloomington area is Anwar Chapter #149 , Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliation.