KING DAVID LODGE #15 F. & A. M., (PHA)
Trenton, New Jersey
King David Lodge of Trenton, New Jersey, was dispensated on December 29, 1875 by the United
Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, State of New Jersey.
On
July 31, 1876, The United Grand Lodge F & A. M., State of New Jersey held a semi-annual communication in Burlington, NJ.
It was at this meeting King David was granted its Charter assigning it the Number 15. Brother John J. Evans represented King
David Lodge.
Two Masonic Lodges preceded King David Lodge in Trenton, Saint John Lodge #8, warranted by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania
on July 26, 1845, and continuing into existence until December of 1878, and Jerusalem Lodge #10, which flourished from 1856
until 1875.
Former members of the late Saint John Lodge #8, affiliated with and were charter members of King David Lodge, to wit:
A. Bergen Jones
Theodore Farley
Isaiah Marsh
John J. Evans
Peter Jenkins
Albert Wood
Samuel W. Gordon
The first Officers of King David Lodge #15, to wit:
John J. Evans, Worshipful Master
Isaiah
Marsh, Senior Warden
Armstead
Billups, Junior Warden
Some of the members of our predecessor, St. John Lodge #8, helped form
King David Lodge #15, on such member being A. Bergen Jones, a Past Master of St. John Lodge #1, who later became the first
District Deputy Grand Master of the 4th Masonic District, which at the time consisted of Mercer, Monmouth and Burlington
Counties, in the State of New Jersey. Others included, John J. Evans and Isaiah Marsh who was the first and second Worshipful
Master’s of King David Lodge #15 respectively. John J. Evans, was also the first member of King David Lodge #15 to hold
a office in the Grand Lodge of New Jersey. That office being that of Grand Sword Bearer which he was appointed to in 1877.
Perhaps, the best known member of King David Lodge #15, Samuel W. Gordon,
who in 1880 was appointed to be the first Grand Organist, by the Most Worshipful Past Grand Master William F. Powell, of the
Grand Lodge, State of New Jersey. Right Worshipful Samuel W. Gordon was elected Most Worshipful Grand Master, State of New
Jersey, in 1919 and again in 1920 the year in which he took his place in “that house not made with hands eternal in
the heavens.” The Samuel W. Gordon Consistory #50 and A.A.S.R. of Asbury Park, New Jersey bears his name.
The late Reverend George S. Starks, Past Master of King David Lodge #15, served as Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge, before
he moved to New York, where he became affiliated with Carthaginan Lodge in Brooklyn, where he remained active in Craft affairs
until he took his place in “that house not made with hands eternal in the heavens.”
In December of 1876, the membership of King David Lodge #15 was fifteen. The following year, the membership had grown to
more than thirty, consisting of the following Brothers:
Alfred V. Jones, Worshipful Master
Theodore Farley, Senior Warden
William W. Kirk, Junior Warden
James Rose, Treasurer
William E. Allen, Secretary
Charles Armstrong
Peter Hutchins
James Armstrong
Phillip Jenkins
James Bateman
Benjamin Jones
Armstead Billups
Charles Jones
Jeremiah Bristol
George Lambert
Charles Burton
Joseph Long
Joseph Clark
Benjamin Marsh
Sadrack Cook
Isaiah Marsh
Samuel Coward
Joseph Robinson
John Evans
Moses Schenck
George Giles
John Shruby
Samuel Gordon
John Walcer
Edward Henderson
Charles Watkins
Benjamin Hinson
Theodore Wiloh
Henry Hunney
Albert Wood
It is not known exactly where King David Lodge #15, met in the immediate years following the dispensation and charter, but
it is believed to have been in the area of the present Temple. It is known however, that King David Lodge #15 met at the Shiloh
Baptist Church in Trenton, NJ located on Belvedere Street for many years. It is said that King David Lodge #15 flourished
during the nineteen twenties and thirties, and then had hard times and discouragement brought on by the depression took its
toll on King David Lodge #15 and its membership.
But with fortitude, dedication, loyalty, leadership and by the Grace of
God, the brethren and King David Lodge #15 were able to survive in tumultuous times. In 1945, King David Lodge #15, began
moving forward and once again start to flourish, and on March 28, 1952, during the administration of Past Master Charles Biddle
Jr., this edifice where we now assemble was purchased. It is said to be purchased with a loan to the Lodge from brothers Jesse
Mason and Dr. Charles Broaddus. Concurrent with the purchase of this building, the dedication services for this building were
conducted by the Most Worshipful Past Grand Master Aldridge B. Cooper, assisted by the Grand Lodge of New Jersey and District
Officers. The years since 1952 have been years of tremendous growth in the membership of King David Lodge #15, and today has
one of the largest memberships in the State of New Jersey.
This building also has a historical significance in the City of Trenton.
Before the Acacia Temple Building Corporation purchased it, it served the community as the Bellevue Avenue Colored School.
(also known as the Old Lincoln School, Public School #14). And since 1952, has been standing proudly as King David Lodge #15
F & A. M., P.H.A.
Previously some of King David Lodge # 15, from the 1800’s were mentioned, but here are a few from more recent times:
Right Worshipful Obreen N. Harris was raised in June 1954, and elected to served as Worship Master of King David Lodge #15
from June 1959 until June 1960. Having been elected Grand Treasurer in June of 1972, under the administration of the Most
Worshipful Past Master Charles W. Cambell, he served in this position of Grand Treasurer of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall
Grand Lodge, State of New Jersey, for over two decades, concluding with his he retirement and the conferment of his Grand
Treasurer Emeritus title of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, State of New Jersey, June of 1994, under the administration
of Most Worshipful Past Grand Master Reginald L. Warren.
Right Worshipful Arthur T. Shack, who was raised in 1953, and elected
to served as Worshipful Master of King David Lodge #15 from June 1966 until June 1967. Having served as the District Deputy
Grand Master of the 5th Masonic District, of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, State of New Jersey,
under the administration of the Most Worshipful Past Grand Master James S. Covington. Right Worshipful Shacks’ Masonic
career reached its pinnacle when he was elected and became the 31st Imperial Potentate of the Ancient Egyptian
Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, North and South America and its Jurisdictions, Inc. (P.H.A.). Where he served from
August 1992 to August 1994.
On March 15, 1995, through the efforts of Brother Cullen W. Banks, III,
during the administration of Past Master Ernest McNeil, a Letter of Application was submitted to the New Jersey Department
of Environmental Protection, Division of Parks and Forestry, Historic Preservation Office. This Letter of Application was
submitted as a nomination for the former Bellevue Avenue Colored School (also known as the Old Lincoln School, Public School
#14), now being known as King David Lodge #15 to be considered a Historic Site to the New Jersey and National Registries of
Historic Places.
On April 26, 1996, under the administration of Right Worshipful Raymond E. Young, King David Lodge #15 was entered into
the New Jersey Registry of Historic Places.
On January 2, 1997, under the administration of Right Worshipful Jeffrey
M. Perry, King David Lodge #15 was entered into the National Registry of Historic Places.
