American Indians and a little stick of Blackpool Rock.

Blackpool Lodge No. 1476, recently held a very special initiation ceremony at the Masonic Hall, Adelaide Street, Blackpool.  The new candidate for membership to Freemasonry was Mr. Lee Martin.  What made this lodge event even more memorable was the attendance of W.Bro. Terry Hudson. PSGD.  Assistant Provincial Grand Master.

Terry had contacted the members of Blackpool Lodge to enquire if the spectacular Oklahoma Indian demonstration team could, as part of their bi-annual visit to this country, visit the lodge, as they wanted to witness an English ceremony.  The members of Blackpool Lodge 1476 were only too pleased to accommodate them, and would be ready to give them a red carpet welcome.

The word OKLAHOMA comes from the Choctaw words OKLA meaning people, and HOLMA, meaning red, which translates to “Land of the Red People”.  The Oklahoma Masonic Indian Demonstration Team has performed before thousands of Freemasons all across the country, putting on the Third Degree in colourful Native American dress.  The team’s story encompasses 50 years and well over 800 performances and is a tribute to one of the finest degree teams you will ever see.  In 1952 the team was formed to commemorate the centenary of the death of Cherokee Brother Will Rodgers.  Will Rogers was born in 1879 on land which was part of the Cherokee nation.  He was an American Indian, but became one of Hollywood’s top paid film actors, plus he was an author, and star of the American radio.  He was also a Freemason.

By the year 2001 the team, who are all past masters from various lodges, had completed their 800 demonstration.  Freemasonry in Oklahoma was in existence long before the two territories, Oklahoma and the Indian Territory joined together, in 1907 to become the State of Oklahoma.  Oklahoma lodges represented in the team are Broken Arrow, Cherokee, Delta, Daylight, Dustin, Ottawa, Sapulpa and Skiatook.

The team consists of 15 active members, 9 recognised tribes are represented, and they are, Apache, Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, Oneida, Osage, Ottawa, Seminole and Sycamore. 

On completion of the ceremony the spokesman for the team said how much they had enjoyed the evening and the company of the Blackpool Freemasons.  As a parting gift the Blackpool Lodge, Director of Ceremonies, David Bell, presented each member of the team with a booklet entitled, “The History of Blackpool Lodge. No. 1476”.  Plus a stick of BLACKPOOL ROCK.

Photo One; left to right.

Randy Rogers, Deputy Grand Master of the State of Oklahoma.

Glen Earl Almy, Grand Master of the State of Oklahoma.

George Wright, Worshipful Master, Blackpool Lodge. 1476.

Terry Hudson Assistant Provincial Grand Master.

Plus the Oklahoma team.  

Photo Two.

The team line up in the Blackpool Masonic Hall Lodge Room.