Southside Lodge #337 – Masonic Prince Hall Lodge 337

United in Brotherhood and Service

Our History

Ezekiel 37:3, challenges “Son of Man, will these bones live?”
Rhetorically, this question is offered to Ezekiel, where he responds that only the Lord knows.

In an unprecedented move, Grand Master Arvin W. Glass (now Emeritus), sought to breathe new life into Southside #337 lodge by re-creating a group commensurate with National Pan fraternal bodies for membership. The idea was to create a “Masonry First” concept. As the FIRST fraternal body for African Americans, Masonry has long taken a backseat to premier leadership groups who govern their recruitment at collegiate and corporate levels. “By the time these individuals approach the Blue house, the opportunity for membership is already squandered, as competing fraternal bodies readily pose alternative options at that level”.

In July of 2019, (WM) Michael R. Campbell 33°, (SW) Coleman Thompson 32° and (JW) Charles Wilson 32° demitted into Southside #337 under the Past Master mentorship of Brother Dwight Smith and Kermit Moore. With the ultimate approval of the Grand Master, the three men have been placed under the watchful eye of Past Deputy Tony E. Yates. The torch has now passed to sitting Deputy District Grand Master Dejanada Dunlap, where the lodge is continuing to flourish with new membership and experiencing revitalization of previous membership.

Southside #337 “The Ship”

Touted as “The Ship”, (WM) Campbell and (JW) Charlie Wilson took the Southside name and dubbed it “S.S. #337”. Combining nautical symbols with the traditional Compass and Square, the mantra is that a Battleship cannot function and fire without a crew and its members. “Although I know where we are going, I can’t get there without everyone’s assistance” is Campbell’s outward explanation.

Under the assistance of the Memphis Westside District, District Deputy Grandmaster Dejanada Dunlap has approved the idea of seeking corporate assistance, modern marketing ideals, and recruitment principals for deserving men. Thus, you may have seen these brothers in their traditional blue cardigan and black ties. This is an outward effort to support local Black Business retailers and create uniformity as the contract is held by our very own Peggie Prinz of Wings of Love.

As of December 21, 2019, this lodge is now challenging the old idea that “professionals don’t work or last”. The lodge now maintains participation and membership in the Consistory, United Supreme Council, and Shrine. It further maintains non-affiliated memberships in groups such as Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, The Tennessee Society of CPA, The Tennessee Dental Bar, The Tennessee Legal Bar, Military services, and the Shelby County Sheriff Department respectively. They have created partnerships with local church affiliates, 501(c)(3)s and are now partnering with privately owned black businesses for a larger community service footprint.

Although, the book of Ezekiel has posed the question of bones living again, these men have certainly answered “…only with the Lord’s guidance and hand”.