Knights History

The Prince Hall Grand Council Order of Knights of Pythagoras was organized in 1960 and reorganized in 1968 by the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

The Knights of Pythagoras is a youth group for boys 12 to 20 years of age who believe in the Supreme Being and are of good character and reputation. The order is devoted to the Christian principles of freedom, justice, and equality under law for all human beings. The order promotes these ideals, together with love of God, parents and country.

Grand Master A. William Hill, Jr. #14, successfully started the Order of the Knights of Pythagoras in Pennsylvania in 1960. The next three years found twelve youth councils around the state organized and the state body w as organized the Keystone Grand Council. Eleven of the twelve council became inactive by 1968. Grand Master Thomas W. S. Logan #37 appointed Worshipful District Deputy Master Leo S. Holmes #58 the Worshipful State Director of Youth. The state body was renamed the Prince Hall Grand Council of Pennsylvania. The International Body under Past Grand Master P. G. Porter re-chartered the Order of the Knights of Pythagoras.

State officers were elected and later presented silver metal collars with jewels of their of office. New councils were formed and inactive councils reactivated to join Herbert D. Millen #8 sponsored by Campbell Washington Joppa #37, the only council to remain active from 1961. The Annual Sessions from 1968 to 1982 were held in Hotels and college campuses around the state. Donald U. Dade #55 served as Worshipful State Director of Youth 1972 to 1979. And started presenting special designed Past Grand Master Knight aprons to the outgoing Grand Master Knight.

Grand Master Thomas Scipio #144 appointed Edward Lindler #37 as the Worshipful State Director of Youth along with Edward W. Perrine #37 Director of Youth (East) in 1979. Since 1979 we have been enlarging the youth order and building its program base. Installation of Of ricer Service, Service of Light, and Legion of Honor Service has been added to the order. Since 1983 Annual Sessions have been held at Patton Campus in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania except for one year which was held at Thiel College. A Brotherhood Retreat Fellowship with the Order of DeMolay of the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge and the Order of the Knights of Pythagoras started in 1984 has become an annual event.

In October of 1989, the Knights of Pythagoras were the lead off program for the start of the Walk in the Light program on W.H.A. T. radio station in Philadelphia. The local councils' officers have jewels of their office. Knights have a lapel pin, a 3" and 4" patch, and improved ritual, T-shirts and baseball caps are next on the agenda for paraphernalia. The Grand Council officers have a patch, marching banner and gold chain collars on green velvet.

In 1994 Grand Master Thomas A. Jackmon, Sr. appointed Edward W. Perrine #37 Worshipful State Director of Youth and Kevin D. Mahoner #37 Worshipful State Director of Youth (East). Edward Lindler was elected Worshipful State Director of Youth Emeritus.

In 1997 Grand Master Thomas A. Jackmon, Sr. appointed Kevin D. Mahoner #37 Worshipful State Director of Youth and Troy C. Robinson, Sr. #37 Assistant State Director of Youth. Edward W. Perrine #37 was appointed Worshipful Advisor.

The Prince Hall Grand Council Order of the Knights of Pythagoras now have an office on the second floor of the Masonic Complex at 4301 North Broad Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a new computer system, and gold staffs for the Grand Deacons and Grand Stewards.

The Cardinal Virtues of a Knight are Adoration and Reverence for God, Love of Parents, Righteous Thinking, Purity, Patriotism, Toleration, Courtesy, Friendship and Constancy.



Christopher Palmer #8 GRAND MASTER KNIGHT
Vincent E. Rice, Jr., #18 DEPUTY GRAND MASTER KNIGHT		Daniel Randall #17 GRAND SENIOR KNIGHT
GRAND JUNIOR KNIGHT		Hamid King #20 GRAND KNIGHT RECORDER
Jahote Dorsey #20 GRAND KNIGHT TREASURER

B. Myoli Owens, 1959-1961

Thomas J. Patterson, 1961-1965

A. William Hill, Jr., 1965-1967

Leo S. Holmes, Sr., 1967-1972

Donald U. Dade, 1972-1979

Edward Lindler 1979-1994

Edward W. Perrine 1994-1997

Clifford Moss 1970-1972	Jameel S. Hall #17 2000
Lloyd G. Kay, III 1973	Rayshaun N. Collins #20 2001
Kevin Nance 1973	Richard Freeman, Jr.#8 2002
Ralph Johnson 1974	Jordan Harris #7 2003
Arthur R. Pollard 1975	Jerry L. Bradford, Jr #17 2004
Donald A. Dade 1976	William R. Martin, III #20 2005
William McMillan, Jr. 1977	Terrance D. Green #15 2006
Charles Caples, Jr. 1978
George Madison, Jr. 1979
Bryan LeKey 1980
Michael Tiller 1981
Byron Gale 1982
Douglas King 1983
Ronald Hill 1984
Woodrow L. Jenkins, III 1985
Albert Shuler, Jr. 1986
Maurice Thomas 1987
Troy C. Robinson 1988
Daryle Scott 1989
Brian Gibson 1990
1991
Robert E. Wyatt, Jr. 1992
1993
Richard Cruse 1994
Earl B. Dover 1995
William Mills 1996
Jermaine Shuler 1997
Kameen A. Thompson #20 1998
Shawn A. Jones #8 1999

The Knights of Pythagoras is a youth group for boys 12 to 20 years of age who believe in the Supreme Being and are of good character and reputation. For more information contact:

31st Annual Grand Council Session - Patton Campus Elizabethtown, Pa

32nd Annual Grand Council Session - Patton Campus Elizabethtown, Pa

33rd Annual Grand Council Session - Patton Campus Elizabethtown, Pa

L-R Deputy State Director of Youth (DC), William Bethea, Venerable Deputy Grand Master Knight (DC), Donte Payne, Past Grand Master Knight Shawn A. Jones #8 of PA., Most Venerable Grand Master Knight Warren Hale (DC), Worshipful State Director of Youth (DC), Melvin Smith.