History of Hiram Consistory No. 2

Hiram Consistory, holding allegiance to the Baltimore Supreme Council, immediately petitioned the United Supreme Council for warrants of perpetual patent under its authority. On January 27, 1887, the petition was granted. The Consistory was set apart with the proper ceremony as Hiram Consistory No. 2 of Baltimore, Maryland, the first Consistory established in Maryland. The first officers elected and installed were as follows:

R. H. Freeman - Illustrious Commander-in-Chief

John T. Tubman - Illustrious 1st Lieutenant Commander

Hiram Watty - Illustrious 2nd Lieutenant Commander  

Walter Sorell - Illustrious Minister of State and Grand Orator

Joseph H. Lee - Illustrious Chancellor

C. R. Matthews - Illustrious Secretary and Keeper of the Seal and Archives

John R. Keene - Illustrious Treasurer

William Mitchell - Illustrious Hospitaler

The establishment of Hiram Consistory No. 2 in the Valley of Baltimore in 1887 led subsequently to the following Scottish Rite Bodies in that city: The Baltimore City Lodge of Perfection No. 1; Eureka Chapter No. 1 Knights of Rose Croix; Emmanuel Council Knights Kadosh; and Queen Esther Assembly No. 1 Order of the Golden Circle. Among the early pioneers of Scottish Rite Masonry in the Orient of Maryland are be found the names of Lemuel G. Griffin, who was among the first group of men of color to be elevated to the thirty-third and last degree of Masonry under the supervision of Baron Hugo DeBulow, a member of the Supreme Council of France; Samuel W. Chase; John Cook; L. Emerson; R. H. Freeman; James A. Handy; Jno. R. Keene, J. H. Lanzey; Joseph Mitchell; James Morris, John H. Owens, Walter Sorrell; John T. Tubman, Hiram Watty; William E. Wilkes; and Samuel E. Young.

From 1887 to 1896 in Maryland, Scottish Rite Masonry remained lethargic; there needed to be a disposition to increase its influence or membership. Later, in 1896, the Deputy for the Orient of Maryland, Illustrious R. H. Freeman, conducted an induction of a large class of Master Masons into the degrees 14º - 32º. This gave new and added impetus to the Maryland Scottish Rite Fraternity. The several bodies elected New Officers at a State Scottish Rite session held on July 24, 1897, and new life infused all along the line. This new condition, however, lasted only a short period. Interest began to wane due to a lack of understanding of the beauties in higher degrees or dissatisfaction on the part of some of the members. Such were the difficulties that stood in the pathway of the Rite in Maryland.

The United Supreme Council held its 15th Annual Session in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1902. This session was a huge success. Hiram Consistory No. 2 admitted many new members, and the class of new inductees swelled the membership to nearly one hundred. Many of these members were prominent in the various departments of the Craft. Many were well-known in the private arena of life. There were lawyers, doctors, ministers of the spoken word, teachers, and professors. They were from many fields of life’s activities. This influx made Hiram Consistory No. 2 stronger. The membership exhibited a new pride and a new feeling regarding the Order.

The 1902 Annual Session of the United Supreme Council was conceded to be, up to that time, one of the most successful in its history. The new members labored long and hard to help make it so. Thus, a new era was inaugurated. The progress of all the bodies of Scottish Rite Masonry in the State of Maryland moved onward and upward. This movement continued to the early years of World War I from 1917 through 1920. Membership dropped during this period of national emergency. Hiram Consistory No. 2, however, weathered this crisis and held regularly scheduled meetings. During the Depression years of the late 1920s and the 30s up to World War II, Hiram Consistory No. 2 continued its obligations to its membership and the community. Following World War II, membership growth in Hiram Consistory No. 2 has been excellent.

Affected by various issues and circumstances that complicated the growth of the Consistory, Hiram Consistory #2 fell into a period of inactivity and dormancy. The Grand Lodge split allegiances in 2015, with many members choosing to join a spurious and clandestine body that fraudulently assumed the name of our historic organization. Despite these challenging times, Hiram Consistory #2 and the Valley of Baltimore pressed on. We resumed regular operation in 2018 under the leadership of PCIC GIG Nelson Moody, who worked hard to ensure that we were administratively sound. Under the leadership of PCIC GIG Orlando Wilson, we continued to grow our operational capacity. PCIC GIG Kevin E. Cosby Sr. served as Commander-In-Chief for two years during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic. During these two years (2020-2021), Hiram Consistory #2 saw continued growth, and we began learning the degrees and more profound lessons of the Scottish Rite. We also experienced tremendous financial growth during these years, with a record number of Fratres rejoining our ranks. PCIC GIG Braxton C. Street served as Commander-In-Chief for 2022. Under his leadership, all the Houses of the Scottish Rite began opening and operating. 

The Lodge of Perfection, Rose Croix, and Council of Kadosh opened consistently for the first time in several years, and each performed the ceremonies and degree work respective to their House. Each House began holding fundraisers to expand their financial capabilities, and the Valley of Baltimore hosted Information Sessions for those Masons interested in learning, joining, or rejoining Scottish Rite in Baltimore. This year, 14 new Fraters advance to the Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret Degree 32°. Many more Fraters were reclaimed. The Consistory resumed hosting its Annual Black & Gold Scholarship event and awarded the PCIC GIG Elmer E. Braxton Scholarship to a deserving college student. The efforts of the Fraters in this Valley led the Deputy for the Orient of Maryland and Most Illustrious Commander-In-Chief, SGIG Garnett Hall, 33° to award Hiram Consistory #2 with the Distinguished Service Award in recognition as Consistory and Valley of the Year. 

PCIC GIG Kevin A. Dixon Jr. served the Valley as Commander-In-Chief for the 2023 Consistory year. His year began with a class of 10 Masons desirous of achieving the Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret rank.