South Carolina H 5661: Williams Grand Lodge

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5661 Text of Previous Version (May. 06, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 5661

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A house RESOLUTION

To recognize and honor Williams Grand Lodge Inc. on 
its one hundredth anniversary and to congratulate its members for their century 
of service to the State.

Whereas, Reverend W. K. 
Rickenbacker, pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Orangeburg, and Reverend 
Charles A. Williams, Supreme Deputy of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of 
Scottish Rite of the Southern and Western Jurisdiction of the USA, its territories 
and dependencies, auxiliaries and departments, called a meeting in 1925 to plan 
organizing a Scottish Rite Masonic Fraternity; and

Whereas, this meeting, later 
to be Williams Grand Lodge, operated under a dispensation for one year. After 
organizing this Masonic fraternity, the group applied in 1926 for a charter 
from the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Scottish Rite of the Southern and 
Western Jurisdiction of the USA with Reverend Charles A. Williams, Grand 
Master; Reverend T. F. Owens, Deputy Grand Master; Reverend W. K. Rickenbacker, 
Grand Secretary; and Reverend C. D. Salley, Senior Warden; and

Whereas, after Reverend 
Williams died, Brother S. D. Rickenbacker of Branchville became Grand Master. With 
the success of Williams Lodge, members realized they would need more lodges in 
order to grow, so White Rose No. 1 in Branchville and St. John No. 2 in 
Orangeburg were established. The Williams Lodge was organized to promote 
religious education; social, fraternal, and charitable harmony; and fellowship. 
In January of 1927, a written declaration was filed with the Secretary of State, 
recording its purpose and updating its officers, and was duly incorporated. 
Williams Grand Lodge, White Rose Lodge No. 1, and St. John Lodge No. 2 share 
the charter date; and

Whereas, in 1927, an 
auxiliary for the female relatives of the masons was established, and the 
Williams Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Star was born. Sister Rosa Barton of 
Branchville became the first Grand Worthy Matron. White Rose Chapter No. 1 was 
organized as the sister chapter to White Rose Lodge No.1, and Queen Victoria 
Chapter No. 2 became the sister chapter to St. John Lodge No. 2; and 

Whereas, other lodges, 
chapters, and auxiliaries were organized throughout the State to include the 
Royal Arch Masons, Knights Templar, Consistory, and the Shriners. The following 
female auxiliaries were also organized: Heroines of Jericho, Lady Knights 
Templar, Royal House of the Temple, and Daughters of Sphinx. All of these 
groups were founded upon Christian principles, so this fraternal organization 
was considered as a fellowship outlet to the church. The grand lodge acquired 
property for its first permanent Grand Lodge Hall for meeting. As the 
organization grew in membership, the need arose for a larger meeting space and 
additional office space for housing its records; and

Whereas, in 1980, Reverend 
Brother J. C. Harrison was elected Grand Master of Williams Grand Lodge and Sister 
Pearlie L. Walker was elected Grand Worthy Matron of the Williams Grand Chapter 
Order of Eastern Star. Together they presented new programs and events to 
provide other service avenues for members, such as an Annual Recognition 
Banquet. By 2013, this event was renamed the Pearlie L. Walker Memorial 
Scholarship Banquet, awarding college scholarships yearly. Williams Grand Lodge 
funds activities and programs through the quarterly dues paid by subordinate 
lodges and chapters. The Grand Lodge holds two meetings each year attended by 
the officers and members; and

Whereas, from 1983 to 
2013, Brother John W. Wrice served as Grand Master of Williams Lodge with new 
vision for the organization. The Grand Lodge, subordinate lodges, chapters, and 
auxiliaries procured nonprofit status. Office space was provided for the Grand 
Master and Matron, expansion to the original grand lodge building was added, 
and the parking lot was paved and lights added. The Masters & Wardens' 
Council was created, and the Brotherhood of Grand Lodges of South Carolina was 
formed with Williams Lodge; Palmetto Lodge (York Rite); King Solomon Lodge (International); 
and B'Natural Lodge (Modern Free). Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the 
South Carolina House of Representatives, 
by this resolution, recognize and honor Williams Grand Lodge Inc. on its one 
hundredth anniversary and congratulate its members for their century of service 
to the State.

Be it further resolved 
that a copy of this resolution be presented to Grand Master Tommy Frazier and Grand 
Matron Sister Constance Ferguson.

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