International F. & A.M. Masons and Order the of Eastern Star
International Free & Accepted Modern Masons, Inc. and Order of Eastern Star, Inc. is a worldwide fraternity. It was organized in 1950by the late Dr. William V. Banks, a very prominent Attorney and a Mason with
very high ideals. His dream became a reality with the birth of this new Masonic Organization.
ITS PURPOSE: to provide moral, financial, benevolent, and charitable leadership to serve this present age.
This fraternal organization was incorporated and chartered in August of 1950 in Detroit, Michigan. This Charter empowered International Masons to practice Freemasonry, and operate as a Masonic Order, throughout the United States, its possessions and territories.This American issued charter empowers, International Masons to the same rights as those charters issued directly from the Grand Lodge of England or the Grand Orient of France. Dr. Banks and his host of friends established a National Jurisdiction. Through their diligent efforts the same year, three States were incorporated: Ohio, New York and Illinois.
Youth Chapters were added with authority vested similar to that in the adult constitution. The purpose – to provide an apprentice work-shop for the young children and adolescents in the charitable work of the Masonic Body. To inculcate certain moral principles, as exemplified by the Holy Bible and other moral sciences, which is highly regarded by our Masonic Order.
International Masons was founded upon those Christian principles that denied no person the right to fraternalism, regardless of race, color or creed. The cardinal principles of this organization are to appeal to its membership in such a manner as to:
Promote better understanding and coordination.
To improve such fields of thought which tend to ensure sound judgment.
To nstall in the minds of youth the necessity of intellectual progress.
To regardall that tends to develop character and wholesome personality traits.
To establish only such assets or liabilitieswhich are within the financial range of the membership.
International Free & Accepted Modern Masons,Inc., and Order of Eastern Star, extends from coast to coast; from the GreatLakes to the Gulf of Mexico, on the Bahamas Islands and Alaska. There areapproximately 350,000 members enrolled, with an additional count of youthcourts.
Other institutions of Freemasonry across thenation, swell with pride at the great progress our Organization has achieved inthis century. A large measurer of credits must be given to the well knownreputation that Freemasonry enjoy throughout our nation and around the world.
Our purchase and employment of the first blackowned Broadcasting Facilities of radio and television stations, along with theUniversal Barber College, the international School of Cosmetology, also theIndustrial College puts us in the position to render unbridled service farbeyond that of any other Order. These medians of service, coupled withother modern services, such as monetary benefits and those of prestige, andenjoyment, brings Freemasonry to a new level and where no one can doubt thatInternational Free & Accepted Modern Masons, Inc., and Order of EasternStar, render services not duplicated by any other Organization.
Because of our beliefs in the Bible andChristian principles, we teach charity, and service to all mankind andwe try to induce an ethical way of life which brings about those improvementsnecessary to the construction of good, clean respected citizenship.
Under the administration of our present leader,Supreme President and Chief Executive Officer, Illustrious, George Mathews,who took office in 1986, International Free & Accepted Modern Masons, Inc.,and Order of Eastern Star, has reached a higher plateau and has grown to be oneof the largest Fraternal Orders in the world.
