History
The History of SteadFast Masonic Lodge #683 –
By Past Master R.W. Karl Luther Burgess- Grand Instructor
Steadfast Masonic Lodge Number 683. On October 23rd, 2016 celebrated 53 years of existence. This celebration signified that Steadfast Masonic Lodge had been in existence since 1963. The history of the lodge is quite vague, and they are not too many historical records available to help with establishing a clear succession of leadership in the lodge. However, according to an address made by S.F. Smith 32◘ on the occasion of the 22nd anniversary of Steadfast Lodge on October 22nd, 1985, he stated, The history of the rebirth of Prince Hall Masonry in Belize began really in 1949, when three Belizeans returned from war work in the United States of America. The Belizeans were C.F.S. Brown, H.G. Moss, and George Flowers Jr. These three were initiated into Prince Hall Masonry in Lodge #187 of Perry, Florida. They wanted to start a lodge, and in 1953 Brother Brown contacted his lodge, but was not successful. In the meantime, Brother Flowers had taken up permanent residence in the United States. In desperation, efforts were made to become part of the Mexican Lodge of Chetumal, Quintana Roo, but because the authenticity of the lodge could not be determined, the matter was left in abeyance until 1959.
These brothers later contacted Brother Stuart of a new Jersey lodge, and were sent literature on how to set up a lodge Social. Brother Alan Griffith became active in the lodge socials that were being held in the home of C.F.S. Brother Brown and the Fire Department. This type of activity and outreach to create a lodge continued for the next two years, until Hurricane Hattie in 1961 disrupted these proceedings and put a halt to their efforts.
According to Brother Smith's accounts, in 1962 these socials resumed and the numbers grew enormously, so much so that the Free Gardiner’s Hall on Cemetery Road had to be rented to host the now weekly meetings. They got brother S.A. Smith, a Belizean living in Nassau, Bahamas, and a mason in good standing to visit Belize in order to address their unofficial Masonic gathering. Brother S.A. Smith offered advice in their pursuit of acquiring a charter to operate a lodge and encouraged them to raise funds in order to be financially ready for such a reality. Brother C.F.S. Brown dispatched another letter to his Lodge #187 of Perry, Florida. Brother Brown promptly received a reply from Lodge #187 of Perry, Florida, inquiring about the group's seriousness to establish a lodge. Brother Lloyd Grant, a master mason from Lodge #187 of Perry, Florida, and a Belizean came to visit Belize and took the opportunity to address the social. He promised to do his absolute best to help this group of Masonic aspirants establish their lodge. Upon returning to Florida, Brother Grant contacted his area supervisor, Brother Aaron Buggs, who coincidentally happened to be the Grand Senior Warden of Prince Hall Masonry in the state of Florida and addressed the desire of the Belizean group of mostly aspiring Masons. Brother Buggs then proceeded to speak with his Most Worshipful Grand Master Brother, Doctor Rudolph Bradley, who was quite interested in establishing a lodge in Belize. Grand Master Doctor Rudolph Bradley, in due course, sent a letter to the group of men in Belize informing them of the cost involved in acquiring a Charter, Holy Writ, and other Masonic paraphernalia that would be necessary in a properly constituted Masonic Lodge.
Brother S.F. Smith, in his address informed, “the stations and other lodge furniture were accordingly made, and the Newtown Club selected for the initiation and rebirth of Prince Hall Masonry in Belize, thus terminating a void of 58 years. And so it was that on the 22nd day of October 1963, some 22 new master Masons were made in Belize, along with three already raised members and steadfast Masonic Lodge #683 came into being with the following officers and Foundation members:
1. C.F.S. Brown - Worshipful Master
2. H.G. Moss - Senior Warden
3. S.F. Smith – Junior Warden
4. Herman Tillett
5. Doyle Prince
6. Carlos Orio
7. A.A. Morrison
8. D.V. Murray
9. Arlington Andrews
10. Herbert Longsworth
11. Kent Richardson
12. Lloyd Pipersburg
13. James Mckay
14. Hubert Bodden
15. Allain Griffith
16. Rodwell Pyre
17. Gilbert Willoughby
18. Roy Young
19. Heron Audinett
20. Benjamin Avaloy
21. Hugh Brackett
22. Lancell Bowen
23. Allan Andersom
24. Hubert Johnson
During this period. Dorcas chapter was reconstituted as Esther Chapter #209 Order of the Eastern Stars and a charter issued under the Florida jurisdiction. This chapter has been a tower of strength to the efforts of Steadfast Lodge #683. In April 1964, the first delegation from Steadfast Lodge #683 attended the Grand Communication at the Masonic Headquarters at 410 Broad Street, Jacksonville, Florida.
Brother Oscar Ramos, in an address held on March 4th, 2012, honoring Steadfast Lodge's founding father, C.F.S. Brown, reported the following: Steadfast Masonic Lodge was founded on October 23rd, 1963 by brother C.F.S. Brown and a group of ambitious good men seeking to become masons and better men. In the early years, Steadfast Masonic Lodge #683 hosted its communications and bestowed degrees in a rented premises at number 18 Saint Jude Street. However, by 1977, Steadfast Lodge, with the hard work of its membership, had acquired a plot of land at the corner of Lakeview and Vernon Street, and had met the goal of completing construction of its own Masonic Temple. The cornerstone of Steadfast Masonic Lodge #683 was laid on this building by Grand Master Grandmaster Rudolph Bradley on August 28th, 1977,
A United States newspaper, upon the return of Grandmaster Dr. Rudolph Bradley to the United States, reported: Most Worshipful Rudolph Bradley 32◘ Grandmaster; Aaron Buggs Grand Senior Warden; and Oliver Randall, Grand Junior Warden arriving back into the United States from Belize, British Honduras, Central America, where they were successful in organizing a master mason lodge of 25 men and a chapter, Order of Eastern Star, under the protection of the Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge of Florida. Prince Hall affiliated. Grand Master Bradley is to be commended for his alertness to the changing times when all good people should unite into one brotherhood and under one God. Welcome brothers, to the craft. Charles F.S. Brown was Steadfast Lodge's first Worshipful Master.
Historical records reveal that Steadfast Lodge #683 has been governed by 19 Worthy Worshipful Masters.
1. Charles F.S. Brown 1963-1965
2. Samuel F. Smith 1965-1967
3. Arlington Andrews 1967-1968
4. Simeon Sampson 1968-1969
5. Roy Young 1969-1970
6. Calvin D. Patten 1971-1973
7. Rudolph Pitt Davis 1973-1976
8. Dalton Usher 1976-1978
9. Alvan Fuller 1978-1983
10. Eric Richards 1983-1984
11. Dalton Usher 1984-1986
12. Roy Young 1986-1991
13. George B. Singh 1991-1993
14. LODGE DORMANT 1993-2002
15. Norrin Meighan 2002-2003
16. Ernest Staine 2003-2006
17. Eric Richards 2006-2009
18. Rudy Arana 2009-2012
19. Oscar Ramos 2012-2014
20. Eric Vernon 2014- 2018
21. Ashton Longsworth 2018 - 2019
22. Karl Burgess 2020 - 2022
23. Stanley Longsworth 2023 - 2024
Steadfast Lodge, over its 53 years of existence, has only been visited twice in Belize by a most Worshipful Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge of Florida, Prince Hall, affiliated. Once in August 1977 by brother Doctor Rudolph Bradley, who laid the cornerstone of its temple building, and then again in October 2011 by Most Worshipful Grand Master Brother Anthony T Stafford.
Finally, it is also worth of noting that Steadfast Lodge has twice been granted a District Deputy Grand Master from within its own membership. Once in 1985. Past Master Brother Alvin Fuller was appointed District Deputy Grand Master. Then in 2011, Most Worshipful Grand Master Brother Anthony T Stafford appointed Past Master Brother Eric Richard as District Deputy Grand Master.