History

The record of the past is relevant only as we possess such maturity which teaches us from both the bitter and the sweet. It is a record of dreams, and deeds which bears the mark of Divine Providence.

International Free & Accepted Modern Masons, Inc. and Order of Eastern Star, is a world-wide fraternity. Organized in 1950 by the late Dr. William V. Banks; a very prominent Attorney and a Mason with very high ideals. His dream became a reality at 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 install in the minds of youth the necessity of intellectual progress.
To regard all that tends to develop character and wholesome personality traits.
To establish only such assets or liabilities which 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 Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, on the Bahamas Islands and Alaska. There are approximately 350,000 members enrolled, with an additional count of youth courts.

Other institutions of Freemasonry across the nation, swell with pride at the great progress our Organization has achieved in this century. A large measurer of credits much be given to the well known reputation that Freemasonry enjoy throughout our nation and around the world.

Our purchase and employment of the first black owned Broadcasting Facilities of radio and television stations, along with the Universal Barber College, the international School of Cosmetology, also the Industrial College puts us in the position to render unbridled service far beyond that of any other Order. These medians of service, coupled with other modern services, such as monetary benefits and those of prestige, and enjoyment, brings Freemasonry to a new level and where no one can doubt that International Free & Accepted Modern Masons, Inc., and Order of Eastern Star, render services not duplicated by any other Organization.

Because of our beliefs in the Bible and Christian principles, we teach charity service to all mankind and we try to induce an ethical way of life which brings about those improvements necessary 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 one of the largest Fraternal Orders in the world.

Dr. Mathews, has implemented higher goals for the Officers and Members:

	Improved leadership, not only by teaching, but by demonstration.
	Extending a helping hand to the needs in our communities, by showing Christianity and Charitable deeds.
	Broadening our Scholarship Fund to enable the Youth to own business' or have the skills to work in top ranking positions and take part of in our government with strong voices, full of honesty.
	Having a helping hand in teaching people to have Respect, Dignity, and most of all Love for themselves and mankind.

Approaching Dr. Mathews' tenure of 14 years, he has created ways and means of financially supporting other National Organizations, and private sectors with the same concepts as our own. "LOVE, CARE and SHARE".

This organization owes our continued constructive success to Illustrious Dr. George Mathews, a man with strong convictions and fore-thought. A man with goals and objectives. A man who is family orientated. A man who stands on principles of truth, fairness and honesty. A man that gives God the praise for who he is, and what he is. A man that never cease to pray for Divine guidance.

In 1950 the state of Illinois along with two other states were incorporated into International Free & Accepted Modern Masons, Inc., and Order of Eastern Star.

In October of 1957 the LILLIAN GILL GRAND CHAPTER ORDER OF EASTERN STAR, was chartered in Chicago and Sister Viola McVann was elected Grand Matron.

The foundation upon which this Grand Chapter rest, is the solid rock of fraternalism by past and present great leaders great leaders that are too numerous to name.

Our past leader for the State of Illinois, Past Grand Matron, Sister Sarah Jackson, served in this office for more than twenty-eight years after being the Grand Associate Matron.

She was courageously instrumental in the growth of Illinois. During the first three years, she organized nineteen chapters and acquired one hundred & twenty-eight members.

From a humble beginning our state has grown to an enrollment of over nine hundred members, ninety-four chapters and twelve districts. Illinois is the #1 largest state in the National Midwest District. We have twenty separate auxiliaries; yet they combined their efforts as one.

Under the leadership of our present Grand Matron, Sister Christeen E. Branch-Gibson, (1998) after serving 13 years as the Grand Associate Matron, we pray that we can forward into a new millennium with a divine revelation that we can be lead in God's own inimitable way, to reach a higher plateau in the history of International.