In 1950, International Free & Accepted Masons was born. A new fraternal order founded upon those Christian principles that denied no person the right to fraternalize regardless of race, color, or creed. The cardinal principles of this organization are to appeal to its membership in such a manner as to:

1. Promote better understanding and coordination.
2. To implore such fields of thought which tend to insure sound judgment.
3. To instill in the minds of our youth the necessity of intellectual progress.
4. To regard all that tends to develop character and wholesome personality traits.
5. To establish only such assets or liabilities which are within the financial range of the membership.

International Masons is not an order that sells signs, passwords, and secret. It is an order whose primary purpose is to teach Charity, service to mankind, and induce an ethical way of life which brings about improvements necessary to the construction of good, clean, respected citizenship.

With the Dr. Wm. V. Banks, the first Supreme Grand master, 33* at its helm International masons rapidly rode out of the rough seas of doubt, ignorance, and criticism and now rides the smooth waves of purpose, respect, and Faith; which have made it the largest and sturdiest vessel on the Sea of Fraternal Orders.

Dr. Wm. V. Banks has chartered International Free & Accepted Modern Masons' course along God's Way, which teaches us to "Love ye one another." With his steady hand, open mind, and gracious heart guiding this great organization; International Masons has, and shall continue to sail into the Light of God.

The public has shown great enthusiasm by sharing in the membership of this fraternal order. They have sought, and, they have found the one Masonic Organization, which adheres to the original practices of freemasonry.

In the month of July 1950, International Free & Accepted Modern Masons was born. Its creation was brought about by Dr. Wm. V. Banks, and a host of friends who saw the necessity of an organization which would prove loyal to the cause of freemasonry on the one hand and spiritually inspirational on the other with regard for the finer and intellectual matters of the day. Yes, the foremost goal of these members was to concern its youth particularly with the importance of placing emphasis on the intellectual progressiveness and integrity.

In Detroit during the month of August 1950, International Free & Accepted Modern masons was incorporated and chartered. This charter empowered International Masons to practice Freemasonry, and operate as a Masonic Fraternal Order throughout the United States, its possessions and foreign territories throughout the world. This American issued charter empowers International masons to the same rights as those charters issued direct from the Grand Lodge of England, Grand Orient of France and etc.

Upon receipt of our charter, our Supreme Council known as International F. &A.M. Masons has the power to establish International Jurisdiction. St. Mark's lodge of Detroit, Michigan is the Father lodge of our organization and Sojourner truth is the Mother Chapter of O.E.S.

Today, International Masons has stretched forth its wings. It extends from coast to coast, from Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, and on into the Bahama Islands and other foreign lands. All of which is a tribute to the far sightedness and relentless determination of our Supreme Grand Master, Dr. Wm. V. Banks, and his diligent co-workers. These manifestations and other deeds express wholeheartedly their firm belief in God as the Creator and in Jesus Christ as the Greatest Gift to the world.

The original Judiciary body of International masons consists of a panel of five trustees who with the founder, Dr. Wm. V. Banks, became the first highest Supreme body of International Free and Accepted Masons and Order of the Eastern Star.

In the month of December 1950 the state of Michigan was the first established Grand Lodge. Its components were the Crusader Grand Lodge and the Areme Grand Chapter. They were known as the Crusader Grand Lodge of International F. & A.M. Masons- State of Michigan. Rev. Wm. K. Kirksey was the first Grand Master and Sister Merry green, the first Grand Matron.

On June 4, 1951 in the city of Flint, Brother Turner Hartfield was elected Grand Master and the Grand Lodge's name was changed from Crusaders and Areme to Ralph Bunche Grand Lodge and Edith Sampson Grand Chapter.

Today, International F. & A.M. masons has established more than sixty thousand lodges and chapters around the world. We have a prospering Youth Department, which was first organized by Mrs. Mary Kirksey of Roseville with the remarkable aid of Brother Earl Williams of Flint, Michigan. The first court was in Flint and was known as Mary Kirksey Court and St. John Court and proudly bears the distinction of being the very first department dedicated to the annals of youth for International F. & A.M. masons.

Detroit, Michigan was where the first home office was located, and it remains there to this date.

In the month of August of the year 1950, International F. & A.M. Masons could proudly boast of an additional territory- namely Florida. Under the able direction of the Rev. Rufus Beacham, the Supreme Deputy, inhabitants of this great citric state were given the facts and they were soon able to realize the many advantages offered by this organization of International F. & A.M. Masons. Thus, lodges and chapters seemed to spring up instantly all over the great state of Florida.

During its early beginnings, Florida was governed by a Joint Council with the very capable brother Thomas Nelson officiating as president from 1953 throughout 1954. It was under his leadership that progress proved inevitable.

In the year of 1955 in the city of Tampa, the Craft of various Lodges and Chapters met for the purpose of setting up a Grand Lodge. Lady Gordon was elected Grand matron and the late Bishop R.F. Coleman was elected Grand Master. Inasmuch as many successes were determined under his guidance, he was re-elected to the office of presidency in 1956 and 1957. At the Grand Session of 1957, Lady Mable Paul was re-elected Grand Matron of the Order of Eastern Star.

Pride of West Tampa Lodge #1 is the Father Lodge of this state and Evening Light Chapter #2 is the Mother Chapter.

The people of Florida have much to be proud, besides its outstanding adult departments there are youth departments, which are quite active.

The state of Florida continues to increase is vast membership. For several years now, Florida has led the country in growth.

International Masons is steadily growing in every state. Today International F. & A.M. Masons have lodges and chapters in forty-two states of the Union and we are also located in many foreign countries such as the Bahamas and Africa among others.

----Information taken from "The Beacon Light of international F. & A.M. Masons and Order of Eastern Stars" by William K. Kirksey