District #1

District Grand Lodge No. 1 was designated in 1966 by Brother Purcell Crawford, New York State Grand Master (1965 to 1968) and his Deputy, Brother Walter McGhee. Brother Crawford appointed Brother Walter Mitchell, a member of King Solomon Lodge No. 71 as District Grand Master.

The first District Convention for District No. 1 was held at the Elk’s Hall in Manhattan.

The first District Grand Lodge No. 1 was named James Wells District Grant Lodge No. 1 in honor of Brother James Wells, a member of King Solomon Lodge No. 71 who died in October 9, 1972. Brother Wells was a devoted leader that had worked very hard in the development of the district. He had also achieved the honor of High Priest of Widow Son No. 10 of The Royal Arch Masonic Department.

Some of the past District Masters of District No. 1 were Brother Walter Mitchell, Brother. Woodrow Moiley, Brother Fant, Brother John R. Lundy, Brother Jefferson Johnson, Brother William Mitchell, Brother Jerry Baptiste, Brother Paul Cade, Brother John Turner, Brother Lewis Richberg, Brother Charles Smith, Brother Joseph Bowman, Brother William E. Mitchell, Brother Alonzo Middleton, Brother James Cherry, Brother James May Jr, Brother Ervin Singleton and Brother Terence Parker, Brother Markee Fullwocd, Brother Robert Moore, Brother Marcus Tellis and Brother William Evans. Currently, Brother Otis Johnson is now serving as District Grand Master of District No. 1 Grand Lodge.

At present there are six (6) Lodges in District No. 1:

         Singleton No. 22 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Brother Dymon Dixon, W.M.

         King Solomon No. 71 ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Brother Nicholas Vanterpool, W.M.

         St. Paul No. 103 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Brother Ambrose Fleming, W.M.

          Martin Luther King No. 157 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Brother Brian Calloway, W.M.

          Noble Cherry Lewis No. 472 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Brother Carlton Holder W.M.

          David Stoudemire No. 482 ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Brother Andre Green, W.M.

Brother James Wells was born in Kingston, North Carolina on February 25, 1936. He was one of five (5) children – four girls and one (1) boy.

Brother Wells was married to Sister Evelyn Wells, a member of Rose of Sharon #10. They were the parents of five (5) children – two (2) boys and three (3) girls. He worked as a cook in Brooklyn Jewish Hospital.

In 1972, while returning from his father’s funeral, he became ill in Petersburg, Virginia, where he had to be hospitalized. That being the place of his death.

After his death in 1972, the district decided to name District #1 in his honor. The name of James Wells District #1 was chosen for his years of dedication and devoted service to the district. During his years of service, Brother Wells served as High priest of Widow’s Son #10. His years in International Free and Accepted Modern Masons, Inc. and Order of the Eastern Star were well spent. To be chosen to have your name so well recognized as a district is indeed an honor.

“The quality of a man’s life is in direct proportion to his commitment to excellence!”