W. B. Kennedy Masonic Lodge
The W.B. Kennedy Masonic Lodge was established in 1923. It was important in the Black community. Some of its notable chapter members were reverend W.E. Brown and J.D. Stevenson. Albert Curtis belonged to a lodge in St. Louis and helped set up the chapter in Beloit. The charter was officially opened on July 12, 1924, under the leadership of grandmaster Samuels. The lodge was originally under Illinois jurisdiction but then transferred to Wisconsin jurisdiction in 1925.
Qualifications to become a member of the W.B. Kennedy Lodge included age, occupation, social standing, and living location. The lodge was governed by three principles: brotherly love, relief, and truth. Lorenzo Grady, a member of the lodge commented, “The only thing about the Masonic Lodge, they teach you how to treat your fellow man. Your sister, your brother, they teach us how to teach, how to be, you know, how to treat one another! And that’s what the Masonic Lodge is for, you see. [And to] help one another if you need help.” (Lorenzo Grady Interview, 1976).
The lodge contributed to the community by establishing a scholarship fund and helping Black people travel to Mississippi to see relatives. Their services helped benefit both members and non-members of the Beloit community.