History of the International Grand Guild
In 1914, in the city of Marshall, Missouri, at the 30th Annual Grand Conclave of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar, Eminent Sir Willis G. Mosley, Right Eminent Grand Commander, recommended that an organization of an auxiliary among the ladies of the Knights Templar connection be instituted. This recommendation was approved. The late Eminent Sir Milton J. Fields, Past Grand Commander, was assigned to look into the history and form the auxiliary. After finding the history and connections to the Knights Templar, he named them Heroines of the Templar Crusades, as they played a very important part during the Crusade against the infidels.
In 1917 in the city of St. Louis, Missouri, the first Guild of the Heroines of the Templar Crusades was formed by Sir Knight Fields. Princess Celia Johnson, Princess Captain; Princesses Annie J. Carter, Marie Lewis, L. Page, Lizzie Pryor, Addie Payne, Martha Freland, and Fannie G.W. McDonald were given full authority to organize Guilds. After forming three Guilds, under the resolution granted, it was necessary that a Grand Guild be formed, not later than December 31, 1918. The three Guilds met September 25, 1918 to organize a Grand Guild. On that date, they elected and installed the officers. A constitution was adopted with the assistance of several members of the Grand Commandery. Princess Fannie G.W. McDonald was elected Grand Princess Captain. She started out to organize Guilds in other Jurisdictions. In 1918, the following ladies of the District of Columbia – Princesses Marie 1. Smith, Alzada Freeman, Martha Robinson, Nettie Nickols, Florence Gaskins, Mary White, Mary Wilson, Ruth Stockton, Mamie McCall, and Bertha Wall – petitioned Grand Princess Captain McDonald to be set apart as a Guild. In January 1919, the petition was granted. The date of February 19th was set aside to consecrate the new Guild, but GPC McDonald, being unable to come, wired Sir Chas. D. Freeman to set it up for her. Hence, Emmanuel Guild was set apart. Officers were elected and installed. GPC McDonald started out setting up Guilds in the following jurisdictions: California, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Kentucky, and the District of Columbia. On August 25, 1920, GPC McDonald called a meeting of representatives from all Guilds to meet in Cincinnati, Ohio to form the International Grand Guild. The first officers were Fannie McDonald, 1GPC; Sir Albert R. Lee, IGRA; Hattie J. Wells (Chicago, IG Secretary; Alzada Freeman, IGF Cross Bearer; Marie I. Smith, IG First Lieutenant; Floyd Brown, Outside Sentinel.
- Princess Marie Smith and Sir William G. Smith of Washington, D.C.
- PrincessC. Hampton of Texas and Sir Robert I Carter of Illinois.
- Princess Rosa Norris of Pennsylvania and Sir William Gipson, D.D. of D.C.
- Princess Alzada Freeman of C. and Sir Wm. H. Jones of Illinois.
- Princess Mary Jones of Pennsylvania and Sir V.T. Bristol of Michigan.
- Princess Henrietta Berry of D.C. and Sir J.D. Norris of Pennsylvania.
- Princess Lottie Murphy of Illinois and Sir James Marshall of D.C.
- Princess Florence Gaskins and Sir Isaac Mason of D.C
- Princess Annie Jones of California and Sir V.A. Bristol of Michigan.
- Princess Gertrude Harrington and Sir H.T. Willis of D.C
- Princess Mayme Copeland of Kentucky and Sir Warren Fields of Michigan.
There are 31 Guilds and seven Grand Guilds in the Jurisdiction.
Past International Grand Princess Captain Honors:
- Princess Mary Wilson (Turner), 1935 – Washington
- Princess Mattie Alford, 1952 of Chicago – in Indianapolis, Indiana
This history was given to the present International Grand Princess Captain Mayme L. Copeland by Sir Chas. P. Freeman just before his death in 1950.
History of the International Grand Court of Cyrene Crusaders
International Grand Court of Cyrene Crusaders: Auxiliary to the Grand Encampment Knights Templar, United States and Foreign Jurisdictions, Prince Hall Affiliation – A Brief Chronology, 1966-1991 and Photographic Essay Based on Information Compiled by the Late Marguerite R. Thornton. A Revised, Reformatted, and Edited Excerpt based on the publication: International Grand Court of Cyrene Crusaders: Auxiliary to the Grand Encampment Knights Templar, United States and Foreign Jurisdictions, P.H.A., F. and A.M. History.
Editor’s Introduction:
The International Grand Court of Cyrene Crusaders has had a tremendous impact on the liberation and empowerment of African American women and their families. The International Grand Court has undertaken charitable activities throughout the country. However, its history, and the history of most Prince Hall women’s organizations, is not widely known; this history is also hidden and not easily accessible.
In 1968, two organizations, the Heroines of Templar Crusades and the Order of Cyrene, merged to form the International Grand Court of Cyrene Crusaders. In presenting the following chronology of the International Grand Court of Cyrene Crusaders: Auxiliary to the Grand Encampment Knights Templar, United States and Foreign Jurisdictions, Prince Hall Affiliation, we are providing a selected compilation of basic historical information pertaining to the International Grand Court of Cyrene Crusaders, with dates, in the order of their occurrence. This historical timeline covers 1966, the point when earnest discussions began resulting in the merger, up through 1991. The first Guild of the Heroines of Templar Crusades was formed in 1917 in the city of St. Louis, Missouri, while the Order of Cyrene was informally organized in 1884 and was accepted as an auxiliary to the Knights Templar in 1904 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.[1]
We are hopeful that members will take interest and expand this chronology to include biographical information on the leaders, other significant events in the life of the organization, and a detailed history of both organizations prior to the merger.
History of the Most Royal Prince Hall Grand Court, Order of Cyrene
[1] “History, 1884-1991 [of the} Most Royal Grand Court of Cyrene Accepted and Adopted Body of the United Grand Commandery, Knights Templar, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Prince Hall Affiliation.” In , International Grand Court Cyrene- Crusaders, Auxiliary to the Grand Encampment Knights Templar, United States and Foreign Jurisdictions, P.H.A., F and A.M.: History 1120-1991 A.D. [compiled by Marguerite R. Thornton} [n.p.ca. 19921 p. 90.
In that year the first Cyrene Court was established in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Between 1884 and 1904 two other Courts were established in Philadelphia and a governing body for then Cyrenes, known as the Supreme Grand Court of America was subsequently organized. In 1904 the United Grand Commandery of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania accepted the Order of Cyrene as the Auxiliary. In 1878, Ivanhoe Commandery No.5 was warranted as a subordinate Commandery of the Prince Hall Grand Commandery, Knights Templar of the Jurisdiction of New York.
In 1881 at 114 West 54th street in New York City, the wives, widow, mothers, sisters and daughters of the Ivanhoe Commandery organized Helping Hand Auxiliary to assist in the members of the Commandery. Sister Nanny Jones was elected its Presiding Officer and Sir Knights James McCadden its Chief Advisor. The members of Helping Hand Auxiliary soon affiliated with the Order of Cyrene, Auxiliary to the Knights Templar in Pennsylvania. In 1914, the Supreme Grand Court of America established the members of Helping Hand Auxiliary as Helping Hand Royal Court in Manhattan. This was the first Courts in the State of New York.
Between 1914 and 1918, the Grand Court of Pennsylvania established two other Cyrene Courts in the State of New York. They were Nazarene Royal Court in Brooklyn and Bethany Court in Manhattan. On Oct. 31, 1918, the three Cyrene Courts in New York surrendered their warrants and with the assistance of the Supreme Grand Court of America, with the Most Royal Grand Commandress, Elizabeth Banks and Most Royal Grand Chief Engineer, John W. Elezy presiding and assisted by Grand Secretary A.E. Robinson constituted and established the Most Royal Prince Hall Grand Court, Order of Cyrene for the State of New York Royal Lady Betty DeToscano was selected as the first Most Royal Grand Chief engineer and Royal Eva A. Green was selected as the first Right Royal Grand Secretary.
On May 31, 1948, the Prince Hall Grand Commandery, Knights Templar for the Jurisdiction of New York. Most Eminent Clarence A Miller, Grand Commander at the time presiding, officially adopted the Most Royal Prince Hall Grand Court Order of Cyrene for the State of New York as its Auxiliary. In 1995, the 77th year of the existence of the Most Royal Prince Hall Grand Court Order of Cyrene of the State of New York, under the administration of Most Royal Grand Commandress Bobbie O’Garro and Most Royal Grand Chief Engineer, Sir Percy Purdue the three Cyrene Courts in the State of Connecticut, who at the time were under the jurisdiction of the most Royal Prince Hall Grand Court Order of Cyrene of the State of New York, Miriam Royal Court in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Faith Royal Court in New Haven Connecticut, and Mary Magdelene Royal Court in Hartford, Connecticut, surrendered their warrants and requested to be established as a Grand Court Order of Cyrene for the State of Connecticut. With the permission of the Most Eminent Prince Hall Grand Commandery, Knights Templar of the State of New York, Most Eminent, Sir Ludwick Hall at the time presiding as the Most Eminent Grand Commander, permission was granted. Most Royal Grand Chief Engineer Sir Percy Purdue and the Most Royal Grand Commandress and the Officer and Members of the Grant Court assisted in establishing the Most Royal Prince Hall Grand Court Order of Cyrene for the State of Connecticut. Royal Lady Anne M. Bolden was elected as its first Most Royal Grand Commandress and Sir William Randolph its first Most Royal Grand Chief Engineer.
Contributed by:
Sir Ludwick Hall
Past Most Eminent Grand Commander
of the Most Eminent Prince Hall Grand Commandery,
Knights Templar, of the State of New York
1966:
In 1966, the late Grand Master of the Grand Encampment, Sir Knight Luther J. Wanzer, requested the creation of one sister auxiliary for the Knights Templar by merging the two existing groups: the International Grand Court of Cyrenes and the International Grand Guild of Heroines of the Templar Crusades.
1967:
The Grand Encampment met in Durham, North Carolina, and voted in favor of merging the two organizations. Research was conducted to determine the name, colors, emblems, paraphernalia, dress and hear gear, ritual, by-laws, degrees, and finance.
1968:
The Annual Conclave of the International Grand Court Cyrenes-Crusaders met in Birmingham, Alabama. Princess Edna A. Kinney presided.
1969:
The International Grand Court Cyrenes- Crusaders convened in Miami, Florida. Princess Edna A. Kinney presided.
1970 and 1971:
International Grand Princess Commandress Vergie E. Carey and International Royal Advisor, Sir Knight Emanuel Mathis, presided over the 1970 meeting in Boston, Massachusetts and the 1971 meeting in Lansing, Michigan. The Charter and the Guidelines were distributed in 1971; this act confirmed the merger.
1972
The International Grand Court Cyrene Crusaders convened in New Orleans, Louisiana. Princess Vergie E. Carey, International Grand Princess Commandress, and Sir Knight Emanuel Mathis presided. The theme for the year was: “Coming together is beginning, Working together is progress, [and] Keeping together is success.” The theme song was “It is no secret what God can do.”
The charter and guidelines, previously distributed in Lansing, Michigan, were studied and the merger was again confirmed. The elected and appointed officers, and offices, were designated as follows: Princess Commandress Vergie E. Carey; Royal Advisor Emanuel Mathis; Assistant Royal Advisor, Princess Martha, Princess Magdalene, Secretary, Treasurer, Senior Shepherd, Junior Shepherd, Senior Commissary, Junior Commissary, Trustees (three). The appointed offices were designated as follows: Junior Past Princess ColIins, Conductress, Altaress, Inspectress, Marshall, Assistant Secretary, Inside Sentinel, Outside Sentinel, Musician.
The sign. grip. password. and duties of each officer were defined and rehearsed. The floor plan was distributed. The Convention Planning Committee Coordinator was Sir Knight Anthony White. The International Grand Court attributed its’ success and acknowledged the dedication of the following: Princesses Vergie Carey, Vernice Smith, Clara Hinton, Elmira Parker, and Rose Williams; Sir Knights Anthony White, Jerry Bigger, John Gilmore, John White, Glenny Lankford, Raymond Cheeks, and John Bennett. Several aspects of the format used in 1970 and 1972 are currently used, with variations, to meet immediate needs. Our forefathers tried to rid the new order of discrepancies and to satisfy all allied bodies.
1973:
The International Grand Court did not meet.
1974 and 1975:
International Grand Princess Commandress Ocilie[1] Webster presided at the International Grand Court meeting in Washington, D.C. and at the 1975 meeting in Birmingham, Alabama. She helped the body continue its growth in membership and acquisition of knowledge.
1976 and 1977:
International Grand Princess Commandress Elmira Parker presided over the deliberations of the International Grand Court during two eventful sessions: (1) the 1976 session in Knoxville, Tennessee, and (2) the 1977 session in Chicago, Illinois.
1978 and 1979:
The dynamic leadership of International Grand Princess Commandress (I.G.P.C.) Phyllis McKoy vitalized the organization. Her convocations were held in Kansas City, Kansas in 1978 and in Detroit, Michigan in 1979. I.G.P.C. McKay kept the work current and set the stage for future growth.
[1] The text contains two spelling variants: “Ocilie Webster” and “Ocielee F. Webster.” Based on the record in the Social Security Death Index, the correct form of the name is: Ocielee F. Webster (September 16, 1905- November 4, 2000).
1980 and 1981:
The mantle of leadership was passed to International Grand Princess Commandress Clothilde Nicholas. and she continued building upon the progress made by her predecessors. In 1980, the International Grand Court convened in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 1981, I.G.P.C. Nicholas had the pleasure of presiding over the meeting of the International Grand Court in her hometown, New Orleans, Louisiana. Problems arose and had to be resolved in order for the International Grand Court to properly function and “be in tune” with the leadership of the Grand Encampment.
1982:
International Grand Princess Commandress Edith K. Dickens presided in her hometown, Jackson, Mississippi. She presided with dignity and decorum in spite of the continuing internal problems and conflict between the International Grand Court and the Grand Encampment. During this session, and following an absence of several years, the Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania was warmly welcomed back to the International Grand body.
The International Grand Court convened in Columbus, Ohio. The turmoil between the two bodies had reached an impasse. International Grand Princess Commandress Edith K. Dickens was not present. Attendance was sparse, with only seven (7) jurisdictions present. International Grand Princess Martha, Norene Huntley, of Illinois, was charged to preside.
The problems were different and serious. Grand Master Anthony White admonished members of the International Grand Court to “Remember that Cyrene’s and Crusaders are equal and bear in mind that we must work on tomorrow [and] not yesterday.” An election was conducted by Grand Master Anthony White; Princess Norene Huntley was elected International Grand Princess Commandress.
1984 and 1985:
The International Grand Court convened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under the leadership of International Grand Princess Commandress Norene Huntley, and operated under revised By-Laws and Rituals. The International Dress Code was established as follows: long white dresses, white hose, gloves, shoes, the sash, and collar of a member’s respective jurisdiction. Collars were purchased for the Past International Grand Princess Commandresses who had served the East. Fourteen (14) jurisdictions were present: Alabama, District of Columbia, Illinois, Florida, Michigan, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, North Carolina, Mississippi, and Ohio.
The Grand Cyrene degrees were conferred on those Guild members in attendance. At this meeting it was decided that the degrees of the Heroines of the Templar Crusades, and the degrees of the Cyrene’s would be conferred in alternate years, depending on the Jurisdiction in which the International Grand Court convened.
In 1985, the Deputies were seated together, presented a flower, and permitted to wear a collar purchased by their state. The rationale for this action was that the Deputies are the representatives of the International Grand Princess Commandress.
The following International Committees continued to function: Arts and Crafts; Audit; Ways and Means; Queens Contest; Special Charity; Flower/Courtesy; Student Aid; Jurisprudence; Directory; History; Officers Addresses; Credentials; Special Effort. The following visitors were received: Martha Thompson (Ohio); Violet Walthall (Virginia); Marion Covington, Louise King, and Mary Adams (North Carolina). There were one hundred twenty-nine (129) Princesses and one hundred six (106) Sir Knights, a total of two hundred thirty-five members in attendance at the 1985 Conclave in Memphis, Tennessee. I.G.P.C. Huntley made great strides towards unity between the Guilds and Courts.
1986
The International Grand Court convened in Little Rock, Arkansas under the leadership of International Grand Princess Commandress Fannie Bell. Thirteen jurisdictions were present, including the newly organized Grand Guild of Arkansas. Sir Knight Phillip Walker was reappointed International Grand Advisor but passed away between the 1986 and 1987 sessions. Sir Knight Lynn Chachere completed the year as acting International Grand Advisor.
1987
International Grand Princess Commandress Fannie Bell presided over the meeting of the International Grand Court in Jacksonville, Florida. Fifteen jurisdictions were in attendance. Directories were sold for $1.50 each. The Sickle Cell Foundation was the designated charity for the year. The International Grand Court mourned the loss of Past International Grand Princess Commandress Vergie E. Carey.
1988 and 1989:
Under the leadership of International Grand Princess Commandress Lucille Middleton, the International Grand Court met in Wichita, Kansas, in 1988. The Kansas Grand Court of Cyrenes reunited with the International Grand Court, in large numbers. The Nurses Unit, under the direction of Princess Ruth Carroll, R.N. of Pennsylvania, worked with renewed strength.
In 1989, the International Grand Court convened in Greensboro, North Carolina. I.G.P.C. Middleton performed the work of the Order “smoothly and without conflict” with the assistance of the International Grand Court’s officers and the officers of the North Carolina Grand Guild. The International Grand Court was well on the way to peace and prosperity.
1990 and 1991:
International Grand Princess Commandress Mozelle A. McKay presided over the proceedings of the Twenty-first Annual Grand Convocation of the International Grand Court in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She added workshops to the agenda and appointed two workshop coordinators, Princess Francis Hightower, and Princess Lona Mathis. ‘The revised Constitution was accepted and approved by the Sir Knights.” A joint memorial service, written by I.G.P.C. Mozelle McKay and Sir Knight Henry Small, per the request of Eminent Grand Master Joseph “Ben” Jackson, was performed at the 1990 and 1991 conclaves.
In 1991, the International Grand Court convened in Detroit, Michigan, under the leadership of Princess Mozelle A. McKay, International Grand Princess Commandress, and Sir Knight Howard Lennon, International Grand Royal Advisor.
Since the publication of the history in 1991, the work of the International Grand Court of Cyrene Crusaders has continued under the leadership of the following International Grand Princess Commandresses: Violet Williams, Maggie F. Buchanan, Iris Wright (never served), Sandra Mills, Frances Hightower, Alicia Jones Chisolm, Phyllis Caruth, Juanita Caldwell, Barbara DeVaughn, and Lona Mathis.
The above history was compiled for publication by the late Princess Marguerite R. Thornton, International Grand Historian International Grand Court of Cyrene Crusaders, Princess Thornton chaired the History Committee; P.I.G.P.C Norene Huntley served as Consultant, while members included G.P.C. Clara Ross, P.I.G.P.C. Lessie Van Hook, P.I.G.P.C’. Phillis McKoy, and P.I.G.P.C. Edith K. Dickens.
Acknowledgements: The Editor is grateful to: Maggie Moon for facilitating the publication of this information and providing photographs; Alicia J. Chisolm for sharing a copy of the book upon which this chronology is based; and Barbara J. Devaughn for verifying the names of the Grand officers and granting permission to print this chronology.