History of Roy Ward Jr. Council No. 33 (PHA)

On a snowy Saturday morning, April 23, 2016, twenty-three Royal Arch Masons were initiated as Royal and Select Masters in Aurora, Colorado. This milestone was largely due to Companion Willie Winfield, who envisioned bringing Royal and Select Masters to the jurisdiction of Colorado and heard from numerous masons eager to establish a council in the state.

Companion Winfield coordinated with the Most Eminent Grand Commander of the Colorado Grand Commandery, Knights Templar, PHA, Stefon Atmore, and with the Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, Leroy Wright. Both leaders agreed that forming a council would benefit Colorado Masons. Companion Winfield then contacted the Most Illustrious Prince Hall Grand Council, Royal and Select Masters of Ohio. After discussing the demographics and PHA presence in Colorado with Thrice Illustrious Grand Master Michael H. Jordon, agreement was reached to start a study club.

Companion Winfield consulted the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah, Honorable Charlie L. Flowers, who first granted verbal and then formal permission. Letters of support from the MWPHGL of Colorado, the ME Prince Hall Grand Chapter, Holy Royal Arch Masons, and the ME Grand Commandery, Knights Templar, PHA were forwarded to the Ohio Grand Council, which authorized the study club. Candidates were contacted and applications issued.

It was arranged that four Royal and Select Companions from Ohio would travel to Colorado to confer the Cryptic degrees, joined by companions residing in Colorado. The degree team consisted of: DGTIM Melvin Russell (OH, deceased), PGTIM Reginald A. Blake (OH, deceased), PTIM Roderick A. McCully (OH), PTIM Paul L. Hunt (OH), Ill. Comp. Willie Winfield (CO), Ill. Comp. Claude W. Gray Sr. (CO, deceased), and Ill. Comp. Adrian Dixon (LA). The team initiated: Stefon Atmore, Stanley H. Brooks Jr., Edward Brown, Jeffery Bryant, George Coleman, Miguel Cruz-Barnes, Arturo V. Delos Reyes, Terrell Hale, Jon Hamilton, Christopher Hollins, Joseph Jackson, George Love (RIP), Eric Nelson, Thomas Powell, Bernard Prioleau Sr., Nathanial Richardson, Calvin Somerville, Mark Stewart, Gary B. Thomas, William Turner, Leonard Ware, Bruce Williams, and Leroy Wright. Instruction was provided, and the new members were assigned to Adoniram Council No. 1, Cleveland, Ohio. Companion Winfield was named Grand Lecturer by GTIM Russell.

On April 30, 2016, the study club convened, elected officers, and selected the name “Roy Ward Jr.” in honor of his championing of York Rite Masonry in Colorado (with the widow’s gracious consent). Officers elected were: Thrice Illustrious Master Claude W. Gray Sr.; Deputy Master Stefon Atmore; Principal Conductor of the Work Stanley H. Brooks Jr.; Treasurer Calvin Somerville; Recorder Mark Stewart; Chaplain Thomas Powell; Captain of the Guard Jon Hamilton; Conductor Eric D. Nelson; Marshall Joseph Jackson; Stewart Jeffrey Bryant; Lecturer Arturo V. De Los Reyes; and Sentinel Bruce Williams.

The Roy Ward Jr. Study Club petitioned the Most Illustrious PH Grand Council of Royal and Select Masons for dispensation. On July 25, 2016, dispensation was granted to function independently. At the 97th Grand Assembly in Independence, Ohio, Grand Lecturer Willie Winfield and Deputy Master Stanley Brooks received the Charter, designating Roy Ward Jr. (U.D.) as Roy Ward Jr. Council No. 33. Earlier that month, the Council U.D. hosted a wine sip honoring MWGM Charlie L. Flowers and GWM Freddie Cooper (OES) during the MW Prince Hall Grand Lodge session on August 7, 2016.