Knights of Pythias Grand Lodge receives charter for Grand Lodge of South Carolina
Grand Lodge of Knights of Pythias has received their charter for re-establishment of this oldest African American Fraternal Orders in the state, country and the world. The charter was conveyed to The Grand Lodge Officers of South Carolina from District Deputy Grand Chancellor Sir Knight Kevin N. Brown of North Carolina and South Carolina to Grand Outer Guard Sir Knight Ernest Brailey at the Covenant Baptist Church in Darlington. Ernest Bradley accepted charter as acting Grand Chancellor and Sr. Officer of Grand Lodge of South Carolina. Grand Lodge of SC had their 1st Annual Grand Session in the modern era. The first Negro Pythian Lodge was he organized in Vicksburg, Mississippi, April 1880, by Dr. T.W. Stringer, and known as Lightfoot Lodge No.1. We are in the 137th Year of the Pythian Period. The order has a sisterhood connected to the Knights of Pythias, which is called Court of Calanthe, which was organized at White Hall, Louisiana, in May 1883. The Court of Calanthe will be forming soon in South Carolina. Knights of Pythias have Lodges and Grand Lodges in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. Darlington County had a Colored Lodge of Knights of Pythias in the 1890s in which one the founders of the great Macedonia Baptist Church in the person of Rev.Dr.I.P.Brockenton and other knights formed Darlington Lodge no 3.
“We have, in reverence and respect for Rev.Dr.I.P. Brockenton and members of Darlington Colored Lodge No.3, named the lodge in his memory as one of the founders of this great fraternal order. It has been named Rev.Dr.I.P.Brockenton Lodge Knights of Pythias of Darlington, SC,” said Grand Chancellor of SC Kevin N.Brown. The Grand Lodge Officers of South Carolina are as printed on the Charter are “Knights and their successors: Kevin N.Brown, Grand Chancellor; Ronnie Hill, Grand Vice Chancellor; Lavern Witherspoon, Grand Prelate; Bruce Benjamin, Grand Master of Works; Ralph Singleton, Great Keeper of Records and Seal; Kenrich Salters, Grand Master of Exchequer; Mike James, Grand Master at Arms; Everett Brown, Grand Inner Guard; Ernest Brailey, Grand Outer Guard and other appointed Grand Lodge Officers. Signed by Clarence Monette,” as per order of Clarence Monette who is the Supreme Chancellor. The Knights of Pythias are based on the true story of the friendship of Pythias and Damon and their devotion to each other. The Knights of Pythias are based on “Friendship, Charity and Benevolence.” We have been working in the community in giving services and items. We are dedicated to serving Mankind. We started in October 2015 with 8 members, which were called “The Eternal Eight.” We now have a roster of over 60 members from all over the state and growing. We have members from about every facet of life and professions. We have educators, a former Major League Baseball player, ministers, retired military veterans, business owners, and other leaders in other fraternal orders. We are on the move,” said Grand Chancellor Kevin N. Brown.
Pictured from left to right are Dr.Rev.Ruby Dargan, Church Member, Grand Chancellor Kevin N. Brown, Grand Outer Ernest Brailey receiving the charter after prayer and consecration over the charter by Dr. Rev. Ruby Dargan. We thank Covenant Baptist Church for hosting this historical event and officers and members and All Sirs and Sister and Most of all GOD,” stated Kevin N. Brown.