HISTORY - DEVELOPMENT OF MECHANISM
It should be well known by now that Mechanism was established in England in 1757 due to fragmental separation from the Masonic organization which was operating in England. There were many questions as to how this came about, but a final consensus agreed that Mechanism came into existence in the UK in 1757.
From the UK, the first Mechanic Lodge was opened in South Africa when a dispensation, rituals, implements, general laws and other materials were supplied to interested members of a group in Cape Town in South Africa. This took place from 1877 to 1879.
A further period of interest is that of 1882 to 1905 when Mechanism expanded to the West Indies. The first lodge was opened in Grenada which was followed by lodges in Trinidad, Jamaica, Bermuda, St Croix and St. Lucia.
The first official District Grand Lodge in the USA was formed in 1915 and was led by a Past Grand Master of a Western Star Lodge in Trinidad. This District Grand Lodge was under the banner of Preston unity in New York. The lodge was affiliated with the English Grand Lodges and had four subordinate Lodges attached to it.
Because of the establishment of these subordinate lodges, the USA was granted its own district called the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge (WMGL) Independent Order of Mechanics (Preston unity) Friendly Society Inc. and was incorporated in King’s County NY on June 3 1920.
Although the United States had so many lodges and a district at one time, they had no power. The real seat of power existed in Trinidad and was known as the Sub Grand Lodge there. The reason given for this was that Trinidad was closer to England than the United States.
It was concluded from senior mechanics that many lodges were formed in the US between 1906 and 1910 and that these lodges were affiliated with the UK Grand Lodge. It was also noted that the registration of the first lodge with the state of New York occurred in June 1920.
The Supreme Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Mechanics Preston Unity was established in the United States in 1994, under the leadership of H.E. Bro Rudley B. Anthony.
He was succeeded by H.E. Bro David Grant and H.E. Bro Alvin Bharrat successively. After Bro Bharrat’s passing, his term was completed by his Deputy Bro W. Wallerson.
After a period of disillusionment, the Supreme Grand Lodge was reassembled in District No 7 St Lucia W.I. in 2019.
H.E. Warren A. Denny and his cadre of officers were duly elected and installed.