Masonic Order of Liberia

The Grand Lodge of the Republic of Liberia is a fraternal organization based on the principles of Prince Hall Freemasonry. It tended to restrict its members to Americo-Liberians and was influential within the ruling True Whig party from its founding until the coup of Samuel Doe in 1980, when much of its senior leadership was killed and the new military regime banned masonic activities in the country.

Among the settlers that arrived in 1822 to where, twenty-five years later, would become the Republic of Liberia, were a few freemasons hailing from colored Lodges in the United States of America that were founded by Prince Hall.

After the lapse of a period extending over forty years, the surviving Masons felt that the time had arrived for the formal organization of Craft Masonry in Liberia. In 1867, Thomas Amos, Joseph Jenkins Roberts, Beverly P. Yates, Charles B. Dunbar, Sr., F. Johns, John N. Lewis, John H. Chivers, James C. Minor, John Seys, James M. Priest, Samuel C. Glassgow, William S. Anderson and Gabriel Moore, assembled a convention in Monrovia, at which it was decided that Thomas Amos would spearhead the establishment of a Grand Lodge in Liberia. Subsequently, the necessary dispensation was acquired to launch Oriental Lodge No. 1 in Monrovia "to Enter, Pass and Raise Free-masons according to the ancient customs and usages of the Craft.” Similar Dispensations were also granted for the erection of two other Lodges now known as Saint Paul Lodge No. 2 of the Clay-Ashland Settlement, and Saint John’s Lodge No. 3 also of Monrovia.

Having the requisite the Lodges to create a Grand Lodge, a second Convention was held in Monrovia to draw up a constitution with certain by-laws. Elections also occurred and the elected officers were installed as follows:

Thomas H. Amos, as Grand Master

Ashbury F. Johns, as Deputy grand Master

Beverly P. Yates, as Senior Grand Warder

H. W. Johnson, as Junior Grand Warden

Gabriel Moore, as Grand Treasurer

John N. Lewis, as Grand Secretary

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