Celebrating 289 years of Freemasonry in South Carolina - First South Carolina Lodge Chartered 1735
![]() Freemasonry is the oldest fraternal organization in the world. It is dedicated to promoting improvement in the character of its members. A Mason is taught to be a good citizen, to be of good character, & to care for those less fortunate.
Freemasonry traces its roots to the Middle Ages. It is from associations of stone masons, who built the magnificent cathedrals, castles, and monasteries of Europe that the fraternity started. These groups, eventually, began to accept members who were not actual working masons. They adopted the term "Accepted" Masons, and Freemasonry was born. Our Grand Lodge Building
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The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina
288th Annual Communication April 24 - 25, 2025 Spartanburg Marriott Hotel Spartanburg, SC The 288th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina will be held on Thursday, April 24th & Friday, April 25th, 2025, in the Spartanburg Marriott Hotel located at 299 North Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306. The Religious Service will commence on Thursday, April 24th at 9:00 AM and will be conducted by Reverend and Right Worshipful A. Robert Nix, Grand Chaplain. Following the Religious Service, the Grand Lodge will officially open at 10:00 AM by Most Worshipful Steven D. Hames, Grand Master, with the assistance of the Grand Lodge Officers. The Annual Grand Lodge Banquet will be held on Thursday Evening, April 24th, at 7:30 PM in the Hotel's Heritage Ballroom. Reservations and tickets are required for the Annual Grand Lodge Banquet. As in the past, two tickets will be mailed to each Lodge for purchase to ensure that each Lodge's Worshipful Master and his lady have an opportunity to attend the Annual Grand Lodge Banquet. Those wishing to purchase additional tickets should email [email protected] or call the Grand Lodge Office and dial extension 102. Following are the directions to make Room Reservations at the Spartanburg Marriott Hotel for the Annual Communication: To make a Room Reservation online: Book your group rate for Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of SC To make a Room Reservation by Telephone: Dial the Marriott Reservations at 1-800-228-9290 and give the Grand Lodge's Group Code which is GLA in order to get the Grand Lodge's Room rate of $159.00 plus tax per night. I look forward to seeing you there. Fraternally, Jerry Carver, PGM, Grand Secretary |
Steven Dewayne Hames was born in Kings Mountain, NC on May 22, 1963, to Nevils and Sue Hames of Blacksburg. He has two brothers Ronald and Christopher. The family moved to Blacksburg, SC when Steve was 3. Steve married Toni January 2001 and has two daughters Macy and Candice, son in law Christopher Sneed and granddaughter Whitley. He attended public school in Blacksburg where he graduated from Blacksburg High School in 1981. After high school Steve enlisted in the US Army where he served four years as a Paratrooper with the 27th Engineer Battalion at Fort Bragg, NC. He was awarded two Meritorious Achievement Citations and was honorably discharged. After his discharge Steve was employed by Daimler Corporation with the Freightliner Truck Manufacturing Plant where he retired after 25 years of service. Masonic License Plate Available from SC Dept of Motor Vehicles. Membership verification required.
Ancient Free Masons license plates are $30.00 every two years in addition to the registration fee. Applicant must present a current dues card from the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of SC. SC DMV Plate Gallery |