{"id":6,"date":"2026-09-24T03:13:33","date_gmt":"2026-09-24T03:13:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/princehallaffiliation.org\/?page_id=6"},"modified":"2026-09-24T00:42:22","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T04:42:22","slug":"main","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.princehallaffiliation.org\/","title":{"rendered":"Main"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style data-wp-block-html=\"css\">\n\/* ==========================================================\n   PRINCEHALLAFFILIATION.ORG  |  Main Page Stylesheet\n   Paste into: Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS\n   (or your child theme's style.css)\n   All rules are scoped to .phaorg so they will not\n   interfere with your WordPress theme.\n   ========================================================== *\/\n\n@import url(\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Cinzel:wght@600;700&family=Source+Serif+4:ital,wght@0,400;0,600;1,400&family=Inter:wght@400;500;600&display=swap\");\n\n.phaorg {\n  --mw-navy: #0A2463;\n  --mw-navy-deep: #061A40;\n  --mw-navy-soft: #1B3A7A;\n  --mw-black: #0B0B0B;\n  --mw-ink: #1A1A1A;\n  --mw-white: #FFFFFF;\n  --mw-mist: #F3F5FA;\n  --mw-line: #D9DFEB;\n  --mw-muted: #5A6478;\n  --mw-radius: 6px;\n  --mw-max: 1140px;\n\n  font-family: \"Source Serif 4\", Georgia, \"Times New Roman\", serif;\n  color: var(--mw-ink);\n  background: var(--mw-white);\n  line-height: 1.7;\n  font-size: 18px;\n  -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;\n}\n\n.phaorg *,\n.phaorg *::before,\n.phaorg *::after { box-sizing: border-box; }\n\n.phaorg img { max-width: 100%; height: auto; display: block; }\n\n.phaorg a { color: var(--mw-navy); text-decoration: none; }\n.phaorg a:hover { text-decoration: underline; }\n\n.phaorg h1,\n.phaorg h2,\n.phaorg h3 {\n  font-family: \"Cinzel\", Georgia, serif;\n  line-height: 1.2;\n  margin: 0 0 0.6em;\n  color: var(--mw-navy-deep);\n  letter-spacing: 0.02em;\n}\n\n.phaorg p { margin: 0 0 1.1em; }\n\n.phaorg .mw-wrap {\n  max-width: var(--mw-max);\n  margin: 0 auto;\n  padding: 0 24px;\n}\n\n.phaorg .mw-eyebrow {\n  font-family: \"Inter\", Arial, sans-serif;\n  font-size: 13px;\n  font-weight: 600;\n  letter-spacing: 0.22em;\n  text-transform: uppercase;\n  color: var(--mw-navy-soft);\n  margin-bottom: 12px;\n  display: block;\n}\n\n.phaorg .mw-rule {\n  width: 72px;\n  height: 3px;\n  background: var(--mw-navy);\n  border: 0;\n  margin: 0 0 28px;\n}\n\n\/* ---------- Section navigation ---------- *\/\n.phaorg .mw-nav {\n  background: var(--mw-black);\n  font-family: \"Inter\", Arial, sans-serif;\n  font-size: 13px;\n  letter-spacing: 0.14em;\n  text-transform: uppercase;\n}\n.phaorg .mw-nav .mw-wrap {\n  display: flex;\n  flex-wrap: wrap;\n  justify-content: center;\n  gap: 6px 32px;\n  padding-top: 14px;\n  padding-bottom: 14px;\n}\n.phaorg .mw-nav a { color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.82); font-weight: 500; }\n.phaorg .mw-nav a:hover { color: var(--mw-white); text-decoration: none; }\n\n\/* ---------- Hero ---------- *\/\n.phaorg .mw-hero {\n  position: relative;\n  overflow: hidden;\n  color: var(--mw-white);\n  text-align: center;\n  padding: 90px 0 100px;\n  background:\n    radial-gradient(ellipse at 50% 35%, rgba(46, 90, 172, 0.45) 0%, rgba(10, 36, 99, 0) 60%),\n    linear-gradient(160deg, var(--mw-navy-deep) 0%, var(--mw-navy) 55%, var(--mw-black) 100%);\n}\n.phaorg .mw-hero::before {\n  content: \"\";\n  position: absolute;\n  inset: 22px;\n  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.18);\n  pointer-events: none;\n}\n.phaorg .mw-hero .mw-emblem {\n  width: 220px;\n  margin: 0 auto 34px;\n  filter: drop-shadow(0 10px 28px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.45));\n}\n.phaorg .mw-hero .mw-eyebrow { color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7); }\n.phaorg .mw-hero h1 {\n  color: var(--mw-white);\n  font-size: clamp(30px, 5vw, 54px);\n  margin-bottom: 18px;\n}\n.phaorg .mw-hero .mw-lede {\n  max-width: 720px;\n  margin: 0 auto 36px;\n  font-size: 20px;\n  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.88);\n}\n\n\/* ---------- Buttons ---------- *\/\n.phaorg .mw-btns { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 14px; justify-content: center; }\n.phaorg .mw-btn {\n  display: inline-block;\n  font-family: \"Inter\", Arial, sans-serif;\n  font-size: 14px;\n  font-weight: 600;\n  letter-spacing: 0.12em;\n  text-transform: uppercase;\n  padding: 14px 28px;\n  border-radius: var(--mw-radius);\n  border: 2px solid var(--mw-white);\n  transition: background 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease;\n}\n.phaorg .mw-btn:hover { text-decoration: none; }\n.phaorg .mw-btn-solid { background: var(--mw-white); color: var(--mw-navy-deep); }\n.phaorg .mw-btn-solid:hover { background: transparent; color: var(--mw-white); }\n.phaorg .mw-btn-ghost { background: transparent; color: var(--mw-white); }\n.phaorg .mw-btn-ghost:hover { background: var(--mw-white); color: var(--mw-navy-deep); }\n\n\/* ---------- Development notice ---------- *\/\n.phaorg .mw-notice {\n  background: var(--mw-mist);\n  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--mw-line);\n  font-family: \"Inter\", Arial, sans-serif;\n  font-size: 15px;\n  color: var(--mw-ink);\n}\n.phaorg .mw-notice .mw-wrap {\n  display: flex;\n  align-items: center;\n  justify-content: center;\n  gap: 14px;\n  padding-top: 16px;\n  padding-bottom: 16px;\n  text-align: center;\n  flex-wrap: wrap;\n}\n.phaorg .mw-pill {\n  display: inline-block;\n  background: var(--mw-navy);\n  color: var(--mw-white);\n  font-size: 11px;\n  font-weight: 600;\n  letter-spacing: 0.16em;\n  text-transform: uppercase;\n  padding: 5px 12px;\n  border-radius: 999px;\n}\n\n\/* ---------- Generic sections ---------- *\/\n.phaorg .mw-section { padding: 90px 0; }\n.phaorg .mw-section h2 { font-size: clamp(26px, 3.4vw, 38px); }\n.phaorg .mw-alt { background: var(--mw-mist); }\n.phaorg .mw-dark { background: var(--mw-navy-deep); color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9); }\n.phaorg .mw-dark h2,\n.phaorg .mw-dark h3 { color: var(--mw-white); }\n.phaorg .mw-dark .mw-eyebrow { color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.65); }\n.phaorg .mw-dark .mw-rule { background: var(--mw-white); }\n.phaorg .mw-center { text-align: center; }\n.phaorg .mw-center .mw-rule { margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; }\n.phaorg .mw-intro { max-width: 760px; margin: 0 auto 50px; }\n\n\/* ---------- About (two column) ---------- *\/\n.phaorg .mw-split {\n  display: grid;\n  grid-template-columns: 1.2fr 0.8fr;\n  gap: 60px;\n  align-items: center;\n}\n.phaorg .mw-quote {\n  border-left: 4px solid var(--mw-navy);\n  background: var(--mw-mist);\n  padding: 30px 32px;\n  border-radius: 0 var(--mw-radius) var(--mw-radius) 0;\n}\n.phaorg .mw-quote img { width: 110px; margin-bottom: 18px; }\n.phaorg .mw-quote p {\n  font-style: italic;\n  font-size: 20px;\n  color: var(--mw-navy-deep);\n  margin: 0;\n}\n\n\/* ---------- Timeline ---------- *\/\n.phaorg .mw-timeline {\n  list-style: none;\n  margin: 0 auto;\n  padding: 0;\n  max-width: 820px;\n  position: relative;\n}\n.phaorg .mw-timeline::before {\n  content: \"\";\n  position: absolute;\n  left: 94px;\n  top: 6px;\n  bottom: 6px;\n  width: 2px;\n  background: var(--mw-line);\n}\n.phaorg .mw-timeline li {\n  display: grid;\n  grid-template-columns: 80px 1fr;\n  gap: 40px;\n  margin-bottom: 34px;\n  position: relative;\n}\n.phaorg .mw-timeline li::after {\n  content: \"\";\n  position: absolute;\n  left: 88px;\n  top: 8px;\n  width: 14px;\n  height: 14px;\n  border-radius: 50%;\n  background: var(--mw-white);\n  border: 3px solid var(--mw-navy);\n}\n.phaorg .mw-year {\n  font-family: \"Cinzel\", Georgia, serif;\n  font-weight: 700;\n  font-size: 22px;\n  color: var(--mw-navy);\n  text-align: right;\n}\n.phaorg .mw-timeline h3 { font-size: 19px; margin-bottom: 6px; }\n.phaorg .mw-timeline p { margin: 0; color: var(--mw-muted); }\n\n\/* ---------- Cards ---------- *\/\n.phaorg .mw-grid {\n  display: grid;\n  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);\n  gap: 26px;\n}\n.phaorg .mw-card {\n  background: var(--mw-white);\n  border: 1px solid var(--mw-line);\n  border-top: 4px solid var(--mw-navy);\n  border-radius: var(--mw-radius);\n  padding: 32px 28px;\n}\n.phaorg .mw-card h3 { font-size: 20px; }\n.phaorg .mw-card p { color: var(--mw-muted); margin: 0; font-size: 17px; }\n.phaorg .mw-card .mw-pill { margin-bottom: 16px; }\n.phaorg .mw-card .mw-pill-soft { background: var(--mw-mist); color: var(--mw-navy); }\n\n\/* Principle tiles on dark background *\/\n.phaorg .mw-dark .mw-card {\n  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.04);\n  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.16);\n  border-top: 4px solid var(--mw-white);\n  text-align: center;\n}\n.phaorg .mw-dark .mw-card p { color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.78); }\n.phaorg .mw-numeral {\n  font-family: \"Cinzel\", Georgia, serif;\n  font-size: 34px;\n  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.35);\n  display: block;\n  margin-bottom: 8px;\n}\n\n\/* ---------- Closing band \/ footer ---------- *\/\n.phaorg .mw-close {\n  background: var(--mw-black);\n  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);\n  text-align: center;\n  padding: 70px 0 40px;\n}\n.phaorg .mw-close img { width: 80px; margin: 0 auto 22px; opacity: 0.9; }\n.phaorg .mw-close h2 { color: var(--mw-white); font-size: 26px; }\n.phaorg .mw-close p { max-width: 640px; margin: 0 auto 1em; }\n.phaorg .mw-fine {\n  margin-top: 40px;\n  padding-top: 24px;\n  border-top: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.14);\n  font-family: \"Inter\", Arial, sans-serif;\n  font-size: 13px;\n  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.55);\n}\n\n\/* ---------- Responsive ---------- *\/\n@media (max-width: 900px) {\n  .phaorg .mw-split { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 36px; }\n  .phaorg .mw-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; }\n}\n@media (max-width: 620px) {\n  .phaorg { font-size: 17px; }\n  .phaorg .mw-section { padding: 64px 0; }\n  .phaorg .mw-hero { padding: 64px 0 72px; }\n  .phaorg .mw-hero .mw-emblem { width: 160px; }\n  .phaorg .mw-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }\n  .phaorg .mw-timeline::before { left: 7px; }\n  .phaorg .mw-timeline li { grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 4px; padding-left: 34px; }\n  .phaorg .mw-timeline li::after { left: 0; top: 6px; }\n  .phaorg .mw-year { text-align: left; }\n}\n\n\/* ==========================================================\n   Components specific to princehallaffiliation.org\n   ========================================================== *\/\n\n\/* ---------- Split hero ---------- *\/\n.phaorg .mw-hero-split { text-align: left; }\n.phaorg .mw-hero-split .mw-wrap {\n  display: grid;\n  grid-template-columns: 1.15fr 0.85fr;\n  gap: 50px;\n  align-items: center;\n}\n.phaorg .mw-hero-split .mw-lede { margin-left: 0; }\n.phaorg .mw-hero-split .mw-btns { justify-content: flex-start; }\n.phaorg .mw-hero-split .mw-emblem { width: 100%; max-width: 380px; margin: 0 auto; }\n\n\/* ---------- Dictionary style definition ---------- *\/\n.phaorg .mw-define {\n  max-width: 860px;\n  margin: 0 auto;\n  background: var(--mw-white);\n  border: 1px solid var(--mw-line);\n  border-left: 6px solid var(--mw-navy);\n  border-radius: var(--mw-radius);\n  padding: 40px 44px;\n  box-shadow: 0 14px 40px rgba(6, 26, 64, 0.08);\n}\n.phaorg .mw-term {\n  font-family: \"Cinzel\", Georgia, serif;\n  font-size: clamp(24px, 3vw, 32px);\n  font-weight: 700;\n  color: var(--mw-navy-deep);\n  margin: 0;\n}\n.phaorg .mw-pos {\n  font-family: \"Inter\", Arial, sans-serif;\n  font-size: 14px;\n  color: var(--mw-muted);\n  margin: 4px 0 22px;\n  display: block;\n}\n.phaorg .mw-pos em { font-style: italic; }\n.phaorg .mw-senses { margin: 0; padding-left: 22px; }\n.phaorg .mw-senses li { margin-bottom: 14px; padding-left: 6px; }\n.phaorg .mw-senses li::marker { font-family: \"Cinzel\", Georgia, serif; font-weight: 700; color: var(--mw-navy); }\n.phaorg .mw-abbr {\n  margin-top: 22px;\n  padding-top: 18px;\n  border-top: 1px dashed var(--mw-line);\n  font-family: \"Inter\", Arial, sans-serif;\n  font-size: 15px;\n  color: var(--mw-muted);\n}\n.phaorg .mw-abbr strong { color: var(--mw-navy-deep); }\n\n\/* ---------- Comparison ---------- *\/\n.phaorg .mw-compare {\n  display: grid;\n  grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;\n  gap: 26px;\n}\n.phaorg .mw-compare .mw-card h3 { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; }\n.phaorg .mw-compare ul { margin: 14px 0 0; padding-left: 20px; color: var(--mw-muted); font-size: 17px; }\n.phaorg .mw-compare li { margin-bottom: 8px; }\n.phaorg .mw-card-muted { border-top-color: var(--mw-black); background: var(--mw-mist); }\n.phaorg .mw-badge {\n  font-family: \"Inter\", Arial, sans-serif;\n  font-size: 12px;\n  font-weight: 600;\n  letter-spacing: 0.12em;\n  background: var(--mw-navy);\n  color: var(--mw-white);\n  padding: 4px 10px;\n  border-radius: 4px;\n}\n.phaorg .mw-card-muted .mw-badge { background: var(--mw-black); }\n.phaorg .mw-note {\n  max-width: 860px;\n  margin: 30px auto 0;\n  font-size: 16px;\n  color: var(--mw-muted);\n  text-align: center;\n}\n\n\/* ---------- Glossary ---------- *\/\n.phaorg .mw-glossary {\n  display: grid;\n  grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);\n  gap: 0 50px;\n  margin: 0;\n}\n.phaorg .mw-glossary div { padding: 22px 0; border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.14); }\n.phaorg .mw-glossary dt {\n  font-family: \"Cinzel\", Georgia, serif;\n  font-weight: 700;\n  font-size: 19px;\n  color: var(--mw-white);\n  margin-bottom: 6px;\n}\n.phaorg .mw-glossary dd { margin: 0; color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.78); font-size: 17px; }\n\n\/* ---------- Stats band ---------- *\/\n.phaorg .mw-stats {\n  display: grid;\n  grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr);\n  gap: 20px;\n  margin-top: 60px;\n  text-align: center;\n}\n.phaorg .mw-stat {\n  border: 1px solid var(--mw-line);\n  border-radius: var(--mw-radius);\n  padding: 26px 16px;\n  background: var(--mw-white);\n}\n.phaorg .mw-stat b {\n  display: block;\n  font-family: \"Cinzel\", Georgia, serif;\n  font-size: 34px;\n  color: var(--mw-navy);\n  line-height: 1.1;\n  margin-bottom: 6px;\n}\n.phaorg .mw-stat span {\n  font-family: \"Inter\", Arial, sans-serif;\n  font-size: 13px;\n  letter-spacing: 0.08em;\n  text-transform: uppercase;\n  color: var(--mw-muted);\n}\n\n\/* ---------- Tag list ---------- *\/\n.phaorg .mw-tags {\n  display: flex;\n  flex-wrap: wrap;\n  justify-content: center;\n  gap: 12px;\n  list-style: none;\n  padding: 0;\n  margin: 0 auto;\n  max-width: 900px;\n}\n.phaorg .mw-tags li {\n  font-family: \"Inter\", Arial, sans-serif;\n  font-size: 15px;\n  font-weight: 500;\n  color: var(--mw-navy-deep);\n  background: var(--mw-white);\n  border: 1px solid var(--mw-line);\n  border-radius: 999px;\n  padding: 10px 20px;\n}\n\n@media (max-width: 900px) {\n  .phaorg .mw-hero-split .mw-wrap { grid-template-columns: 1fr; text-align: center; }\n  .phaorg .mw-hero-split .mw-emblem { max-width: 240px; order: -1; }\n  .phaorg .mw-hero-split .mw-lede { margin-left: auto; }\n  .phaorg .mw-hero-split .mw-btns { justify-content: center; }\n  .phaorg .mw-stats { grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; }\n}\n@media (max-width: 620px) {\n  .phaorg .mw-define { padding: 28px 22px; }\n  .phaorg .mw-compare,\n  .phaorg .mw-glossary { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }\n}\n\n<\/style>\n\n<!--\n  PRINCEHALLAFFILIATION.ORG | Main Page Markup\n  Paste into a \"Custom HTML\" block on your WordPress home page.\n  Styles live in pha-style.css (Additional CSS).\n  IMAGE PATHS: after uploading the PNGs to Media, replace\n  \/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/ below with the URL WordPress shows for each file.\n-->\n<div class=\"phaorg\">\n\n  <!-- Section navigation -->\n  <nav class=\"mw-nav\" aria-label=\"Page sections\">\n    <div class=\"mw-wrap\">\n      <a href=\"#pha-definition\">Definition<\/a>\n      <a href=\"#pha-compare\">PHA vs PHO<\/a>\n      <a href=\"#pha-history\">History<\/a>\n      <a href=\"#pha-recognition\">Recognition<\/a>\n      <a href=\"#pha-glossary\">Glossary<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/nav>\n\n  <!-- Hero -->\n  <header class=\"mw-hero mw-hero-split\">\n    <div class=\"mw-wrap\">\n      <div>\n        <span class=\"mw-eyebrow\">PrinceHallAffiliation.org<\/span>\n        <h1>What Is Prince Hall Affiliation?<\/h1>\n        <p class=\"mw-lede\">A reference for the meaning of &#8220;Prince Hall Affiliated&#8221; and &#8220;Prince Hall Affiliation,&#8221; and for the history of Prince Hall Freemasonry in the United States of America.<\/p>\n        <div class=\"mw-btns\">\n          <a class=\"mw-btn mw-btn-solid\" href=\"#pha-definition\">Read the Definition<\/a>\n          <a class=\"mw-btn mw-btn-ghost\" href=\"#pha-history\">Explore the History<\/a>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mw-emblem\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pha-seal-white.png\" alt=\"Prince Hall Affiliation seal with the Square and Compasses and the letter G\">\n    <\/div>\n  <\/header>\n\n  <!-- Development notice -->\n  <div class=\"mw-notice\" role=\"status\">\n    <div class=\"mw-wrap\">\n      <span class=\"mw-pill\">Under Development<\/span>\n      <span>PrinceHallAffiliation.org is actively being built. Additional definitions, sources, and historical records will be added in stages.<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <!-- Definition -->\n  <section class=\"mw-section\" id=\"pha-definition\">\n    <div class=\"mw-wrap\">\n      <div class=\"mw-intro mw-center\">\n        <span class=\"mw-eyebrow\">The Definition<\/span>\n        <h2>Understanding the Term<\/h2>\n        <hr class=\"mw-rule\">\n        <p>&#8220;Prince Hall Affiliated&#8221; is more than a name. It describes lineage, regularity, and a formal relationship among the Grand Lodges that carry the legacy of Prince Hall.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"mw-define\">\n        <p class=\"mw-term\">Prince Hall Affiliation<\/p>\n        <span class=\"mw-pos\"><em>noun<\/em> &nbsp;|&nbsp; also Prince Hall Affiliated <em>(adjective)<\/em><\/span>\n        <ol class=\"mw-senses\">\n          <li>The status of a Masonic Grand Lodge, lodge, or member that traces its lineage to African Lodge No. 459 of Boston, chartered in 1784, and that belongs to the family of Prince Hall Grand Lodges recognized as regular by one another.<\/li>\n          <li>Membership in, or connection to, the body of Prince Hall Grand Lodges represented in the Conference of Grand Masters of Prince Hall Masons, which serves as the common forum on questions of regularity among them.<\/li>\n          <li>Applied to appendant and concordant bodies (for example, Order of the Eastern Star, PHA), the designation indicating that the body works under, and requires membership in, a Prince Hall Affiliated Grand Lodge.<\/li>\n        <\/ol>\n        <div class=\"mw-abbr\"><strong>Abbreviation:<\/strong> PHA, as in &#8220;F&amp;AM, PHA&#8221; following a Grand Lodge&#8217;s full title.<\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n\n  <!-- PHA vs PHO -->\n  <section class=\"mw-section mw-alt\" id=\"pha-compare\">\n    <div class=\"mw-wrap\">\n      <div class=\"mw-intro mw-center\">\n        <span class=\"mw-eyebrow\">A Common Question<\/span>\n        <h2>Affiliation and Origin<\/h2>\n        <hr class=\"mw-rule\">\n        <p>Two terms are often confused. Both refer to Prince Hall&#8217;s legacy, but they describe different relationships.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"mw-compare\">\n        <div class=\"mw-card\">\n          <h3><span class=\"mw-badge\">PHA<\/span> Prince Hall Affiliated<\/h3>\n          <p>Grand Lodges that trace their lineage to African Lodge No. 459 and are part of the recognized family of Prince Hall Grand Lodges.<\/p>\n          <ul>\n            <li>Represented in the Conference of Grand Masters of Prince Hall Masons<\/li>\n            <li>Generally one Prince Hall Grand Lodge per state or jurisdiction<\/li>\n            <li>Widely recognized by mainstream Grand Lodges in the United States and by the United Grand Lodge of England<\/li>\n          <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"mw-card mw-card-muted\">\n          <h3><span class=\"mw-badge\">PHO<\/span> Prince Hall Origin<\/h3>\n          <p>A term used for organizations that also claim descent from African Lodge No. 459 but are not part of the Prince Hall Affiliated family.<\/p>\n          <ul>\n            <li>Not affiliated with the Conference of Grand Masters of Prince Hall Masons<\/li>\n            <li>Many operate under a separate national grand lodge structure<\/li>\n            <li>Not generally recognized as regular by PHA or mainstream Grand Lodges<\/li>\n          <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <p class=\"mw-note\">Anyone seeking membership or verifying a lodge should confirm that the lodge holds a charter from its state&#8217;s Prince Hall Affiliated Grand Lodge.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n\n  <!-- History -->\n  <section class=\"mw-section\" id=\"pha-history\">\n    <div class=\"mw-wrap\">\n      <div class=\"mw-intro mw-center\">\n        <span class=\"mw-eyebrow\">Our Heritage<\/span>\n        <h2>Prince Hall Freemasonry in America<\/h2>\n        <hr class=\"mw-rule\">\n        <p>Prince Hall was a free Black leader, abolitionist, and community advocate in Boston. The lodge he founded became the root of every Prince Hall Grand Lodge in the United States today.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n      <ol class=\"mw-timeline\">\n        <li>\n          <div class=\"mw-year\">1775<\/div>\n          <div>\n            <h3>Initiation<\/h3>\n            <p>On March 6, Prince Hall and fourteen other free Black men are initiated by Lodge No. 441, a military lodge under the Grand Lodge of Ireland attached to a British regiment near Boston.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n        <li>\n          <div class=\"mw-year\">1776<\/div>\n          <div>\n            <h3>African Lodge Organized<\/h3>\n            <p>On July 3, African Lodge is organized under a limited permit, with Prince Hall as Worshipful Master.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n        <li>\n          <div class=\"mw-year\">1784<\/div>\n          <div>\n            <h3>The Charter<\/h3>\n            <p>On September 29, the Premier Grand Lodge of England issues a charter for African Lodge, later numbered African Lodge No. 459.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n        <li>\n          <div class=\"mw-year\">1791<\/div>\n          <div>\n            <h3>Provincial Grand Master<\/h3>\n            <p>Prince Hall is named Provincial Grand Master, giving him authority to establish new lodges.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n        <li>\n          <div class=\"mw-year\">1797<\/div>\n          <div>\n            <h3>Expansion<\/h3>\n            <p>Lodges are organized in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Providence, Rhode Island.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n        <li>\n          <div class=\"mw-year\">1807<\/div>\n          <div>\n            <h3>Passing of Prince Hall<\/h3>\n            <p>Prince Hall dies on December 4 and is buried at Copp&#8217;s Hill Burying Ground in Boston.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n        <li>\n          <div class=\"mw-year\">1808<\/div>\n          <div>\n            <h3>African Grand Lodge<\/h3>\n            <p>The lodges of Boston, Philadelphia, and Providence join together to form the African Grand Lodge.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n        <li>\n          <div class=\"mw-year\">1827<\/div>\n          <div>\n            <h3>Independence<\/h3>\n            <p>African Grand Lodge declares its independence and continues as a self governing Grand Lodge.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n        <li>\n          <div class=\"mw-year\">1847<\/div>\n          <div>\n            <h3>The Name Prince Hall<\/h3>\n            <p>African Grand Lodge takes the name Prince Hall Grand Lodge in honor of its founding Grand Master. Prince Hall Grand Lodges spread across the nation in the decades that follow.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n      <\/ol>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n\n  <!-- Recognition -->\n  <section class=\"mw-section mw-alt\" id=\"pha-recognition\">\n    <div class=\"mw-wrap\">\n      <div class=\"mw-intro mw-center\">\n        <span class=\"mw-eyebrow\">Regularity and Recognition<\/span>\n        <h2>From Separation to Amity<\/h2>\n        <hr class=\"mw-rule\">\n        <p>For much of American history, Prince Hall and mainstream Grand Lodges worked separately. Beginning in the late twentieth century, formal recognition began to change that.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"mw-grid\">\n        <div class=\"mw-card\">\n          <span class=\"mw-pill mw-pill-soft\">1989<\/span>\n          <h3>First Modern Recognition<\/h3>\n          <p>Connecticut becomes the first regular Grand Lodge in the modern era to grant full recognition to a Prince Hall Grand Lodge.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"mw-card\">\n          <span class=\"mw-pill mw-pill-soft\">1994<\/span>\n          <h3>The United Grand Lodge of England<\/h3>\n          <p>The United Grand Lodge of England recognizes the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"mw-card\">\n          <span class=\"mw-pill mw-pill-soft\">Today<\/span>\n          <h3>Widespread Amity<\/h3>\n          <p>The large majority of mainstream U.S. Grand Lodges now recognize their Prince Hall Affiliated counterparts, allowing fellowship and visitation between them.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"mw-stats\">\n        <div class=\"mw-stat\"><b>1775<\/b><span>First Initiation<\/span><\/div>\n        <div class=\"mw-stat\"><b>1784<\/b><span>Charter Granted<\/span><\/div>\n        <div class=\"mw-stat\"><b>1847<\/b><span>Prince Hall Name<\/span><\/div>\n        <div class=\"mw-stat\"><b>40+<\/b><span>PHA Grand Lodges<\/span><\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n\n  <!-- Glossary -->\n  <section class=\"mw-section mw-dark\" id=\"pha-glossary\">\n    <div class=\"mw-wrap\">\n      <div class=\"mw-intro mw-center\">\n        <span class=\"mw-eyebrow\">Key Terms<\/span>\n        <h2>Glossary<\/h2>\n        <hr class=\"mw-rule\">\n        <p>Words you will see throughout this site and in discussions of Prince Hall Affiliation.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n      <dl class=\"mw-glossary\">\n        <div><dt>Grand Lodge<\/dt><dd>The governing body of Freemasonry within a state or jurisdiction, which charters and oversees its local lodges.<\/dd><\/div>\n        <div><dt>Jurisdiction<\/dt><dd>The territory, usually a state, over which a Grand Lodge holds Masonic authority.<\/dd><\/div>\n        <div><dt>Lineage<\/dt><dd>The documented chain of charters connecting a lodge or Grand Lodge to its source of authority.<\/dd><\/div>\n        <div><dt>Regularity<\/dt><dd>Whether a Grand Lodge is lawfully formed and follows the established landmarks and practices of Freemasonry.<\/dd><\/div>\n        <div><dt>Recognition<\/dt><dd>A formal act by which one Grand Lodge acknowledges another as regular and legitimate.<\/dd><\/div>\n        <div><dt>Amity<\/dt><dd>The friendly relationship between Grand Lodges that recognize one another, often allowing members to visit.<\/dd><\/div>\n        <div><dt>Charter (Warrant)<\/dt><dd>The document granting a lodge the authority to meet and confer Masonic degrees.<\/dd><\/div>\n        <div><dt>Clandestine<\/dt><dd>A term for a lodge or Grand Lodge operating without legitimate authority or recognition.<\/dd><\/div>\n      <\/dl>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n\n  <!-- Affiliated bodies -->\n  <section class=\"mw-section\">\n    <div class=\"mw-wrap\">\n      <div class=\"mw-intro mw-center\">\n        <span class=\"mw-eyebrow\">The PHA Family<\/span>\n        <h2>Affiliated Bodies<\/h2>\n        <hr class=\"mw-rule\">\n        <p>Beyond the Grand Lodges, a family of appendant and concordant bodies also carries the Prince Hall Affiliated designation.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n      <ul class=\"mw-tags\">\n        <li>Order of the Eastern Star<\/li>\n        <li>Holy Royal Arch Masons<\/li>\n        <li>Knights Templar<\/li>\n        <li>Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite<\/li>\n        <li>Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine<\/li>\n        <li>Heroines of Jericho<\/li>\n        <li>Daughters of Isis<\/li>\n      <\/ul>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n\n  <!-- Coming soon -->\n  <section class=\"mw-section mw-alt\">\n    <div class=\"mw-wrap\">\n      <div class=\"mw-intro mw-center\">\n        <span class=\"mw-eyebrow\">In Development<\/span>\n        <h2>What You Will Find Here<\/h2>\n        <hr class=\"mw-rule\">\n        <p>These resources are being researched and prepared now. Each will be published as it is completed and verified.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"mw-grid\">\n        <div class=\"mw-card\">\n          <span class=\"mw-pill mw-pill-soft\">Coming Soon<\/span>\n          <h3>PHA Grand Lodge Directory<\/h3>\n          <p>A state by state list of Prince Hall Affiliated Grand Lodges, with links to their official sites.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"mw-card\">\n          <span class=\"mw-pill mw-pill-soft\">Coming Soon<\/span>\n          <h3>Sources and Documents<\/h3>\n          <p>Primary records, charters, and scholarly references behind the history presented here.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"mw-card\">\n          <span class=\"mw-pill mw-pill-soft\">Coming Soon<\/span>\n          <h3>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h3>\n          <p>Clear answers on membership, verifying a lodge, recognition, and what PHA means in practice.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n\n  <!-- Closing band -->\n  <footer class=\"mw-close\">\n    <div class=\"mw-wrap\">\n      <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pha-seal-white.png\" alt=\"\">\n      <h2>Thank You for Visiting<\/h2>\n      <p>PrinceHallAffiliation.org is a work in progress. Please check back as definitions, sources, and history are added.<\/p>\n      <div class=\"mw-fine\">\n        &copy; 2026 PrinceHallAffiliation.org &nbsp;|&nbsp; Content is provided for informational, educational, and historical purposes.\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/footer>\n\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Definition PHA vs PHO History Recognition Glossary PrinceHallAffiliation.org What Is Prince Hall Affiliation? A reference for the meaning of &#8220;Prince Hall Affiliated&#8221; and &#8220;Prince Hall Affiliation,&#8221; and for the history of Prince Hall Freemasonry in the United States of America. Read the Definition Explore the History Under Development PrinceHallAffiliation.org is actively being built. Additional definitions,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"enable","_kad_post_title":"hide","_kad_post_layout":"fullwidth","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"unboxed","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"bottom","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-6","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.princehallaffiliation.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.princehallaffiliation.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.princehallaffiliation.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.princehallaffiliation.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.princehallaffiliation.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.princehallaffiliation.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.princehallaffiliation.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6\/revisions\/10"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.princehallaffiliation.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}