Oriental Lodge

A Brief History of Oriental Lodge No. l, A. F. & A. M.

Oriental Lodge No.1 AF&AM was chartered by The Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons of the Republic of Liberia on the 10th day of September, AL. 5867 A.D. 1867, during the reign of The Most Worshipful Grand Master Thomas A. Amos.

In addition to Grand Master Amos, the other Elected Grand Officers were:

Rt. Worshipful Bro. A. F. Johns, Deputy Grand Master,

Rt. Worshipful Bro. Beverly P. Yates, Senior Grand Warden,
Rt. Worshipful Bro. Hilary R. W. Johnson, Junior Grand Warden and
Rt. Worshipful Bro. J. N. Lewis, Grand Secretary.

Freemasonry commenced in Liberia in the 1850’s with Oriental Lodge No.1 as the only Lodge in the country until 1867, when its membership was divided into three groups. The first continued Oriental Lodge No. The second established St. Paul’s Lodge No. 2, and the third, St. John’s Lodge No. 3.
Oriental Lodge No. I, therefore being the Premier, Mother, and the Lodge of this Jurisdiction.

These three Lodges were chartered as subordinate Lodges and together constituted the original Grand Lodge of Masons of Liberia.

The Most Worshipful Bro. Thomas H. Amos was the first Grand Master, and our own first Worshipful Master, Asbury F. Johns was the first Deputy Grand Master.

Oriental Lodge No.1 obtained its charter from The Grand Lodge of Liberia based on the Petition of Brothers Asbury Johns, James C. Minor, and John H. Chavers, who were all Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

The By-Laws of Oriental Lodge No.1 were ratified by the Grand Lodge of Masons of Liberia on June 9, 1873.

Those signing the By-Laws on July 1, 1876, were Most Worshipful Bro. C. B. Dunbar Grand Master,
Rt. Worshipful Bro. R. A. Sherman, Deputy Grand Master and
Rt. Worshipful Bro. W A. Johnson as Grand Secretary.

Original Officers of Oriental Lodge No. 1

Since its establishment, Oriental Lodge No. 1 has distinguished itself by having among its members Politicians, Jurists, Soldiers, Farmers, Businessmen, Diplomats, Architects, Economists, Bankers, Legislators, and Engineers.