From four lodges to forty‑seven.

In the year of 1857, M.W. John G. Britton, Grand Master of the State of Indiana granted a dispensation to his Deputy Grand Master, John W. Harrison and a group of masons residing in the City of Niles, Michigan to open the first lodge of colored masons in this State. To be known as Harrison Lodge, U.D., which was granted a charter January 13, 1859; and became Harrison Lodge No. 6 on the list of Indiana Lodges. Hart Lodge No. 10, of the City of Ypsilanti, Michigan was granted a Charter by the same authority and was Dedicated and Constituted by James S. Hinton, Grand Master of Indiana, with J. W. Harrison, D.G.M.

In the year of 1864, M.W. John W. Harrison, who was now Grand Master of Indiana, granted dispensations to open U.D. Lodges in the Cities of Battle Creek and Williamsville. These Lodges later became Strothers Lodge No. 12 of Battle Creek, Michigan, and Saint James Lodge No. 14 of Williamsville, Michigan.

The representatives of these four lodges (Harrison Lodge No. 6, Hart Lodge No. 10, Strothers Lodge No. 12 and Saint James Lodge No. 14) met in convention in the City of Niles, Michigan and, after adopting a Constitution, organized this Grand Lodge for the State of Michigan on April 25, 1865.

The M.W. National Grand Lodge of the United States of North America granted a Grand Lodge Warrant to this body on October 18, 1865, bearing the signatures of Paul Drayton, M.W.N.G.G.M.; R. H. Gleaves, M.W.N.D.G.M.; Lewis Hayden, M.W.N.S.G.W.; William Edwin Gipson, M.W.N.J.G.W.; James Needham, M.W.N.G. Treas.; and Ezra J. Morris, M.W.N.G. Secy. of Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons. This document is still among the archives of our Grand Lodge.

At the sixth Annual Grand Communication of this Grand Lodge, held in the City of Detroit on June 17, 1872, the following lodges were enrolled and represented, with dates of institution:

The last four Lodges were granted Charters on June 20, 1872.

Following the lead of the Grand Jurisdictions of Pennsylvania and Ohio, our Michigan brethren took the necessary steps to throw off the yoke of tyranny with which they had been burdened for so many years. At a meeting in the City of Detroit, the craft, by a vote of 69 to 4, adopted resolutions expressing their views of the illegality and irregularity of the National Compact, and declared that henceforth they would consider themselves independent of its authority. Consequently, Hiram and Mt. Pavan Lodges of Detroit, and North Star Lodge of Grand Rapids, secured dispensations from the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Ohio, looking forward to the organization of an independent Sovereign Grand Lodge. After due time had expired they received their Charters and opened communication with the Craft throughout the State.

A mass convention of masons was called to meet in the City of Detroit on September 23, 1872. Representatives from Strothers Lodge No. 3, Battle Creek; Hiram Lodge No. 10, Detroit; North Star Lodge No. 15, Grand Rapids; Zion Lodge No. 11, Pontiac, and many other brethren throughout the State met and organized. By virtue of their warrants, these lodges formed themselves into an Independent Sovereign Grand Lodge under the style and title of Unity Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons for the State of Michigan, with M.W. Brother Harrison J. Lewis of Hudson as Grand Master and Brother Wilmot A. Johnson of Detroit as Grand Secretary.

The first Annual Communication of Unity Grand Lodge convened in Detroit on January 13, 1873. The Constitution was adopted, along with Resolutions to form a committee of three to petition the State Legislature to incorporate this Grand Lodge. A committee of five was appointed to draft a petition to the Grand Lodge of Michigan, F. & A.M. (white) for recognition.

Meanwhile the (Compact) National Grand Lodge expelled all who had withdrawn their allegiance from its authority. This adverse condition prevailed until its annual communication in the City of Jackson, December 7–10, 1875, when the Compact Grand Lodge unanimously voted to rescind all masonic disabilities imposed upon the members of Unity Grand Lodge, and resolved that a committee be appointed to unite the two Grand Lodges and their members. At one of the conferences held in Kalamazoo on November 23, 1886, after mature deliberation, the representatives of the two Grand Lodges adopted the following:

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Whereas: We the representatives of the two Bodies existing in the State of Michigan, believing that the existence of two masonic Grand Lodges is detrimental to the interests of all concerned, therefore, be it

Resolved: That the two Grand Lodges unite as one under the name and title of Union Grand Lodge, F. & A.M. for the State of Michigan.

This action was confirmed by both Grand Bodies at their next Annual Communication, and on January 26, 1887 Unity Grand Lodge adjourned sine die and Union Grand Lodge was organized. The Grand Officers were elected, and Union Grand Lodge was opened on the third degree of masonry with M.W. Grand Master elect John J. Evans presiding. The Grand Officers were duly installed by P.G.M. John Harrison.

For many years Union Grand Lodge prospered, guided by dynamic and intrepid Grand Masters who gave stability and fame to this Masonic Grand Jurisdiction. In 1940, M.W. Elmer L. Wallace, Grand Master, anxious to preserve this organization against the inroads of non‑Prince Hall Masons, made a recommendation that was approved by the Committee on Jurisprudence at the Seventy‑Sixth Annual Grand Communication in Grand Rapids, and adopted at the 77th Annual Grand Communication in Lansing on April 25, 1942.

This Grand Lodge has grown from four Constituent Lodges to forty‑seven, with a membership of over five thousand master masons. Forty‑five Grand Masters have graced our Grand East, and we look forward to a most brilliant future of service to T.A.A.O.T.U. and to humanity.

Elmer L. Wallace, Past Grand Master