Alabama

Alabama, F&AM. The first lodge established in what is now Alabama was Madison Lodge No. 21 at Huntsville under dispensation Aug. 29, 1811 from Kentucky and chartered Aug. 28, 1812. A Grand Lodge of Alabama was formed at a convention, beginning on June 11, 1821 and closing with the signing of the Constitution, June 14 or 15, 1821, by representatives of nine lodges. The anti-Masonic excitement had a severe effect on Alabama. By 1829, about a third of the lodges had forfeited their charters. On December 6, 1836, after waiting three days, only 6 lodges were represented and the Grand Lodge was declared extinct. But, though the quorum provisions of the original Constitution prevented the Grand Lodge from meeting, there were enough lodges present to form a new Grand Lodge. This was done and a new Constitution was adopted, with more liberal quorum conditions. This occurred December 9, 1836. From that time to the Civil War, Masonry prospered in Alabama.

The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Alabama was formed in June, 1823. The Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters was formed Dec. 13, 1838, and the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar, Dec. 1, 1860. A Consistory of the Scottish Rite was established at Birmingham, Dec. 27, 1900. In 1990, Alabama had 386 lodges with 55,313 members. It then permitted dual members.

Macoy Collector's Note: A classic example of the resilience of early American Freemasonry, showing how a Grand Lodge survived the anti-Masonic political era by adapting its own constitutions.