MAGrandMasterCZVisits

GRAND MASTER VISITS TO THE CANAL ZONE AND PANAMA

In 1912, the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts granted a charter to Sojourners Lodge of Cristobal, and thereby inaugurated its jurisdiction within the Panama Canal Zone. At that time there was no Grand Lodge holding jurisdiction in Panama; its Grand Lodge would only be instituted in 1917, at which time a treaty was erected between the two Grand Jurisdictions enabling them to operate concurrently.

Between 1912 and the present, a number of Grand Masters have paid official visits to the Canal Zone and Panama Districts. This page summarizes and illustrates those visits.

Lodge visits are noted with a star (★) and the date of the visit.

GRAND MASTER EVERETT C. BENTON, 1913

District Grand Master: None
Lodges:
- Sojourners ★ (01/18/1913)
- Canal Zone, U. D. ★ (01/19/1913)

SPECIAL COMMUNICATIONS IN PANAMA

01/18: 1913-1. Special Communication at Cristobal, Canal Zone. Constitution of Sojourners Lodge.
- 1913-2: Grand Lodge opened in the Canal Commission Headquarters. The Grand Lodge was received by the Brethren of the new Lodge.
- 1913-2: Ceremony of constitution and installation of officers.
- 1913-3: Address by the Grand Master.
- 1913-4: Initial organization of Sojourners Lodge, with Wor. Eli D. Sims as its first Master. A list of the 190 Charter members of the lodge.

Hotel Tivoli Dining Room and Exterior, Ancon, Canal Zone

01/19: 1913-8. Special Communication at Ancon, Canal Zone. Fraternal visit to Canal Zone, U.D.
- 1913-8: Opening of Grand Lodge and reception into the lodge-room.
- 1913-9: Brief address by the Grand Master to the Brethren "congratulating them upon the honor of taking part in the first meeting held upon the Pacific coast by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts." Remarks by the Deputy Grand Master and Recording Secretary.
- 1913-9: Banquet at the Tivoli Hotel (shown above).

ACTING GRAND MASTER MELVIN M. JOHNSON, 1917

District Grand Master: Herbert A. White
Lodges:
- Sojourners ★ (02/01/1917)
- Canal Zone
- Army
- Isthmian ★ (02/01/1917)
- Darien

Cristobal Temple and Lodge Room

02/01: 1917-1; Cristobal, Canal Zone. Deputy Grand Lodge.
- 1917-2: Commission to Past Grand Master Johnson, to "perform the following acts:"
  - Open a Deputy Grand Lodge to appoint and install a District Grand Master for the Canal Zone;
  - Deliver a dispensation to brethren in Paraiso, Canal Zone;
  - Hold one or more Lodges of Instruction;
  - Make inquiry about the new Grand Lodge of Panama and advise regarding recognition;
  - Negotiate a treaty and protocol with the new Grand Lodge of Panama regarding relations;
  - "Do and perform all acts for the good of the Craft" that the Grand Master would have power to do if present, and act or refrain from acting at discretion.
- 1917-2: Deputy Grand Lodge opened at Cristobal. Nearly all Masters and Wardens in the Canal Zone and about 300 Brethren were present.
- 1917-3: Announcement that a protocol had been negotiated, and that the Grand Lodge of Panama was to be recognized.
- 1917-4: Installation of officers of Sojourners Lodge.
- 1917-4: Delivery of dispensation to Isthmian Lodge.
- 1917-5: Installation of the first District Grand Master, Rt. Wor. and Maj. Herbert A. White, Judge Advocate for the Canal Zone and Past Master of Army Lodge.
- 1917-5: Exemplification and discussion of ritual.