Pioneer Lodge # 1's History.
A Brief Sketch from 1866 through the Present.
It is apparent that efforts to organize a Masonic Lodge among men of color residing in St. Paul, began in the early part of 1866, if not earlier. The moving force in this matter was Bro. S. Joseph Farr of North Star Lodge No. 12 in Chicago, Illinois, then in the jurisdiction of Ohio.
The first gathering was held in Andrew's Barber Shop on Third Street, between Cedar and Minnesota Streets. This meeting was called by Bro. Farr. Arrangements were finally made with the new Prince Hall Grand Lodge Jurisdiction of Missouri, for a dispensation that began with the nearest Grand Lodge Body, as well as the easiest one to reach. Steamboats were at that time the best method of travel between both river towns of St. Paul & St. Louis, the home of the Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Missouri.
A dispensation having been granted by MW. GM. H. McGee Alexander and R.W. Grand Lecturer Moses Dickson of Hannibal, Missouri reached St. Paul and officially established Pioneer Lodge U.D. [under dispensation] on August 4th, 1866. The Lodge was formally organized in an office building at Third & Market Streets.
The first officers of Pioneer Lodge were: Bro. S. Joseph Farr - Worshipful Master, Bro. William A. Griffin - Senior Warden, Bro. Israel Crosby - Junior Warden, Bro. Edmund James - Treasurer, Bro. Thomas Jackson - Secretary, Bro. Robert Brice - Senior Deacon, Bro. David Edwards - Junior Deacon, Bro. George B. Williams - Senior Steward, Bro. Frank Crawford - Junior Steward & Bro. Henry Hawkins - Tyler. The total membership at organization was 11.
At a Special Communication of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, December 20th - 22nd 1866, the Committee of Dispensations, reported on December 21st and recommended that a warrant [charter] be granted to Pioneer Lodge and was approved. Pioneer Lodge was assigned the number of 5. Bro. Moses Dickson, RW. Grand Lecturer was recognized as the proxy of Pioneer Lodge No. 5. Bro. S. Joseph Farr was appointed District Deputy Grand Master and the officers of Pioneer Lodge UD., became the charter officers of Pioneer Lodge No. 5.
Although Pioneer Lodge No. 5 did not report a roster of officers and members to the 1st Annual Communication of the MW. Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Missouri, this item appears in the printed record, "Received of Pioneer Lodge, June 8th, 1866 $50.00 for Warrant".
Early in 1885, the Missouri Charter was surrendered. On Friday, May 29th, 1885, Pioneer received a charter from the African Lodge [MW. Prince Hall Grand Lodge Jurisdiction of Iowa and was assigned the number of 12. Pioneer operated under this charter for 9 years.
In the early 1890's there was talk of organizing a Grand Lodge for the Jurisdiction of Minnesota. On August 16th, 1894, the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Minnesota and its Jurisdiction was organized. Pioneer Lodge, took on the name of Pioneer Lodge No. 12, jurisdiction of Minnesota and surrendered the Iowa Charter. At the 13th Annual Grand Lodge Communication during August 1907; new numbers were assigned to the lodges of this jurisdiction, Pioneer Lodge, having the distinction of being the oldest lodge in operation in the new Jurisdiction of Minnesota, was assigned the number 1, officially becoming Pioneer Lodge No. 1. Pioneer Lodge No. 1 has held this distinction for over 100 years and has over 140 years of continuous operation!
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