THE HISTORY

of

MORE LIGHT LODGE NO. 468 F.&A.M.

 

More Light Lodge No. 468 was organized by Brother Joe W. Jones in the fall of 1967 at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, located at 411 Thompson Avenue, West Columbia, South Carolina.  Brother Jones, formerly a member of Capital City Lodge No. 47, was able to bring together twenty-seven masons from various lodges throughout the Columbia area, namely: Corinthian Lodge No. 11, Capital City Lodge No. 47, and College Lodge No. 378.

 

The lodge was founded on the faith base principles established in the Holy Bible, strives to teach a man the duty he owes to God, his neighbor, and to himself.  While forming the lodge, Brother Jones and the members; were under the direct supervision of Grand Master I.P. Stanback, and Past District Deputy L. Palmer Chappelle.

 

While the lode was being formed, Brother Joe W. Jones acted as the presiding officer.  Under his leadership the lodge was granted a dispensation to operate from the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of South Carolina.  During the fall of 1967 to January 1968, the lodge demonstrated the virtues of service and giving, and perpetuated the foundation of "Making Good Men Better".  Thus, on January 20, 1968, the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge issued More Light Lodge No. 468 it's charter.

 

The first officers for the lodge were:

 

Joe W. Jones - Worshipful Master

Martin L. Sewell, Senior Warden

Bobby W. Eleazer, Junior Warden

Rev. William Green, Treasurer

Henry M. Muller, Secretary

 

For a list of the brothers who have served as Worshipful Master since the lodge's first election, click here.

 

Over the years, our past and present members, have demonstrated their skills in the craft, and have served the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of South Carolina (MWPHGLSC), and the Fourth Masonic District in various positions.  On December 15th, 2022 at the 154 Annual Grand Lodge Session, our very own PM Thomas W. Holmes, Jr. was elected to the position of Right Worshipful Grand Secretary, making him only the 12th Master Mason to hold this position in the history of MWPHGLSC.

 

In the beginning our lodge meetings were held at the Prince Hall Masonic Temple located at 2324 Gervais Street, SC  29204.  In 1998, More Light Lodge No. 468 partnered with Corinthian Lodge No. 11, Capital City Lodge No. 47, and College Lodge No. 378 and formed an organization now known as Prince Hall Masonic Lodges of Columbia.  The trustees of the organization along with Order of the Eastern Stars Chapters, Evening Star Chapter No. 342, Cleopatra Chapter No. 240, Starlight Chapter No. 364, and Queen Esther Chapter No. 1, purchased a building located at 4300 N. Main Street, Columbia, SC, to be used as our masonic home.

 

After being at 4300 N. Main Street, Columbia, SC for many years, the membership grew and the trustees attempted to make some changes to accommodate the growth.  However, due to the landmark status of the building, the City of Columbia would not allow any changes to be made, and the building was sold.  Thus, the trustees purchased our present home located at 528 Dubard Boyle Rd.., Columbia, SC  29203 in the year 2000.

 

Our lodge, More Light Lodge No. 468, regular communications are held on the first Wednesday of each month, except the months of July and August.

 

With the beautiful system of morality embodied in our spirits, we shall continue to prepare our members to seek and serve our craft.  Our primary purpose is to continue to promote the basic and fundamental Principles of Freemasonry, and continuously strives to practice the avowed tentes of freemasonry as were instituted by our brethren: namely, friendship, morality, brotherly love, relief and truth.

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Compiled by

More Light Lodge No. 468

Past Masters Council

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

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Updated:  January 1, 2023