|
Sons of Solomon Lodge #357 Of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Florida A.F. & A.MLODGE HISTORY
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” -Ecclesiastes 3:1 Sons of Solomon Lodge #357; (A.F.&A.M.) Tallahassee, Florida is the fruition of a dream conceived by seven austere men. During the summer of 2002, Brother Jason C. Truitt, initiated into our great order via G. S. Brown Lodge #244 in Jackson, Mississippi on April 6, 2000; first entertained the idea of starting what would be the only lodge in Tallahassee, Florida with the A.F. & A. M. affiliation. With the help of Pride of Panama Lodge #81 in Panama City, Florida, Brother Truitt was instrumental in raising five of the six individuals that would prove to be pivotal in the upstart of the new lodge. On August 3, 2002, Brothers Marcus A. Sandifer and Donald R. Johnson II were raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason at Pride of Panama; and three months later, on November 16, 2002, Brothers Tyre A. Sperling, William A. Westry, and Ranaldo S. Allen were subsequently raised to the same degree. Along with brother Mario J. Williams raised at Geometry Lodge #410 (PHA), the new coalition had enough resources to begin working towards a lodge. Thus, the maturation of Sons of Solomon began. Both its creation and its growth has been a direct product of it passionate leadership, under the direction of Brother Jason Truitt. Truitt, a native of Atlanta, GA was handpicked by Alexander Smith, Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of Florida A.F.&A.M. to serve as the first Worshipful Master of the lodge. In early 2003, the lodge had shown so much promise that the Grand Master gave direct instructions to the District Deputy (Bro. Vaughn Jenkins) to present Sons of Solomon with its Under Dispensation (U.D.) Charter. From that point on, what was once a cohesive group of four-letter Master Masons working to better humanity in the name of the craft, became a lawful lodge under the umbrella of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Florida A.F.&A.M. Since, that 22nd day in February, Sons of Solomon Lodge #357 has consistently grown—raising some of the most recognizable travelers in Tallahassee. What made the lodge so remarkable, however, is the fact that at its inception, the average age of its members was 20 years of age. Although young, the members of Sons of Solomon have proven to be capable workers and officers within the lodge, as well as prominent men within their local community. Those seven men, hereafter immortalized for their contributions to the craft are: Founding WM Brother Jason Truitt Atlanta, Georgia Founding Senior Warden Brother Marcus Sandifer Ft. Pierce, Florida Founding Junior Warden Brother Donald Johnson II Atlanta, Georgia Founding Secretary Brother Ranaldo Allen Jacksonville, Florida Founding Senior Deacon Brother Tyre Sperling Inglewood, CA Founding Junior Deacon Brother Mario Williams Selma, Alabama Founding Tyler Brother William Westry Panama City, Florida These seven individuals provided the framework for the development of Sons of Solomon Lodge #357. It is said that, “A house is only as strong as its foundation.” With the foundation that has been provided by the aforementioned brothers, Sons of Solomon is not merely a house with the potential to mature—it is a group of men destined for greatness.
Sons of Solomon Lodge #357 Of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Florida A.F. & A.M
BROTHERS RAISED INTO SONS OF SOLOMON #357 Name Hometown Raising Date Lloyd Jackson , Jr. Jacksonville, Florida September 17, 2003 Leon Green, Jr. Charleston, South Carolina September 17, 2003 Renardo Tucker Jacksonville, FL Apil, 17, 2004 Diamond Seagraves Atlanta, GA April 17, 2004 Barak Tiari St. Louis, Missouri April 17, 2004 Jerry Lightfoot Atlanta, GA |