Grand Thrice Illustrious Master
M.I.C. Tyrone Blount
Grand Deputy Master
R.I.C. Joseph L. Williams
Grand Principal Conductor of Work
R.I.C. Robert Q. Gary Sr.
Grand Recorder
M.I.C. George Balentine Jr.
Grand Treasurer
R.I.C. Richard Berry
Grand Lecturer
R.I.C. Philip L.W. Patton Jr.
Grand Trustees
R.I.C Ronald Hill (3yr)
R.I.C. Donardo Jones (2yr)
R.I.C. Kenneth Baldwin (1yr)
Appointed Officers
Financial Advisor
I.C. David Thomas
Assistant Grand Recorder
I.C. Roderick Thompson
Grand Chaplain
I.C. Brian Beatty
Assistant Grand Lecturers
I.C. David Dotson
I.C. Vincent Jackson
I.C. Raymond Kimbrough
Special District Deputy
I.C. Marcus Hazelwood
Grand Captain of the Guard
I.C. William Alston
Grand Conductor of the Council
I.C. Robert Wilson
Grand Marshal
I.C. Lethaniel Hood, Jr.
Assistant Grand Marshal
I.C. Shannon Callahan
Grand Steward
I.C. Michael G. Harper
Grand Sentinel
I.C. Robert Anderson
Grand Historian
M.I.C. James A. Mitchell, PGTIM
M.I.C. Jerome Abner, PGTIM
Grand CCFC
M.I.C. Leroy R. Gary, PGTIM
Grand Web Masters
I.C. Tony Scott
I.C. Brian Easter
I.C. Charles Fountain
Biblical students and archaeologists know of the vaults or crypts beneath King Solomon’s Temple. Masonic Degrees were probably not actually conferred in these vaults. However, such a legend does persist throughout Freemasonry. The legends, conveyed in this system of degrees form a beautiful allegory or story. The Masonic author, Albert G. Mackey, writing of the vault, says: “The vault was, therefore, in the ancient mysteries, symbolic of the grave; for initiation was symbolic of death, where alone Divine Truth is to be found. Freemasons have adopted the same idea. They teach that death is but the beginning of Life; that if the first, or evanescent Temple of our transitory life be on the surface, we must descend into the secret vault of death before we can find that sacred deposit of Truth, which is to adorn our second Temple pf Eternal Life.” This teaching is not unusual in Freemasonry since as was stated previously the requirements for membership include a professed belief in God and one’s eternal life.
The root of Cryptic Masonry in the state of Illinois began with the formation of Prince Hall Council #8, Royal and Select Masters from the Ohio jurisdiction in 1923. From 1923 to 1984 additional Councils were formed in Peoria (Peoria Council #28) and Centreville (Ellis T. Moore Council #29) and during the early 1980s the three Councils took the necessary steps to organize themselves into a Grand Council for the state of Illinois. Illustrious Companion Josephus Cason was instrumental in the formation of the Grand Council. The Grand Council was established in the same form and fashion of the organization of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Illinois (MWPHGL) did in 1867, the three Councils proceeded accordingly in the city of Peoria in September of 1984: Surrendered their charters to the Prince Hall Affiliated Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Ohio; Organized the Most Illustrious Prince Hall Grand Council, Royal and Select Masters (MIPHGC); Elected new leadership
The first set of Elected Grand Council Officers (Chartered Officers) were:
Grand Thrice Illustrious Master:
Most Illustrious Companion James F. Clarke, Sr.
Grand Deputy Master:
Right Illustrious Companion William S. Brooks, II
Grand Principal Conductor of Works:
Right Illustrious Companion Eugene A. Williams
Grand Treasurer:
Right Illustrious Companion Thomas Wilson, Jr.
Grand Recorder:
Right Illustrious Companion John W. Thompson, Jr.
Prince Hall Council # 1
2nd Thursday 7:30 P.M.
809 E. 42nd Place Chicago, IL
Ellis T. Moore Council # 3
2nd Saturday 3:00 P.M.
1611 Ohio Avenue East St. Louis, IL
James E. Anderson Council # 4
4th Tuesday at 8:00 P.M.
11300 S. Vincennes Ave. Chicago,
Robert Williams Council # 6
2nd Saturday at 1:30 P.M.
809 E. 42nd Place Chicago, IL
John W. Davis Council # 8
1st Saturday at 12:15 P.M.
234 Marietta Street
Decatur, IL
Levi H. Morris Council # 9
2nd Saturday at 3:00 P.M.
921 S. Ninth Ave. Maywood, IL
Levi L. Rose Council # 10
2nd Saturday at 3:00 P.M.
729 S. McLean Blvd Elgin, IL
Holy City Council # 17
1st Saturday at 2:00 P.M.
7545 S. Cottage Grove Chicago, IL
Joe Shoto Council # 18
2nd Tuesday at 8:00 P.M.
809 E. 42nd Place Chicago, IL