From MWB G Ray Marsh, Grand Secretary

Grand Lodge has a new fundraising item for sale. A 4x6 magnet or window decal as pictured here.
Magnets are $5 each, and the window decals are $4 each.

They may be purchased by sending a check to Grand Lodge. Be sure to note how many of each item you are purchasing. There is no charge for postage.

The Lodge Secretary or Worshipful Master may order them in quantity for resale to members, and have them billed to the lodge through the annual report, as with other saleable supplies.

Net proceeds benefit the Disaster Relief Fund.

Grand Lodge Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina
PO Box 2185
Lexington, SC 29071-2185

803.808.4377  Office

Just a reminder that we are still accepting donations from South Carolina lodges and local brethren to purchase TV's for the Richard Campbell Veterans Nursing Home in Anderson, South Carolina.

The 32" Flat-screen TV's will cost about $250.00 each, and the 60" about $1050 each.  This estimate does not include the costs of mounting brackets and hardware.

Please make checks out to the Grand Lodge and designate the funds for the "Campbell Veterans Home TV Project".

To learn more about this project, please read our original news story here.

The Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home is a 220 bed nursing facility built primarily to serve our veterans who have served their country. It accepted its first resident in March of 1991 and has been serving veterans continuously since that time.

So what can we do to make a difference in the lives of these veterans who are in the sunset of their lives? RWB Sam Atkins, who is the MSA appointed representative for that facility, has pointed out a very specific need they have, that only a group as large and committed as we are can meet.

He has asked and MW David DeChant has endorsed providing televisions for these veterans. They need thirty (30) 32" flat-screen televisions for patient rooms and five (5) 60" flat-screens for the Day Rooms so that all residents will have access to TV.

This appeal is to all of us, the Masons of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina, to step up and make this happen. If you, your Lodge or your Master & Wardens club or any other group would be so generous as to buy one of the 60" flat-screens you will be recognized with a brass plaque attached to the set.

The cost of these 60" TV's are $1000.00. RWB Cal Disher will be the point man on this project and his address is:

174 Mims Road
 Harleyville, SC 29448-3334

Please make all checks payable to the Grand Lodge of AFM of SC and designate it for the "Campbell Veterans Home TV Project".

I am really excited about this. The last time I was personally involved in something like this you, the brethren, opened up your hearts and wallets and raised almost $30,000.00 to buy a handicapped equipped wheelchair bus for the Veterans Victory House in Walterboro. Brothers, we made a difference then and I know we can make a difference NOW.

Carey D. Baxley, Jr., PDDGM
MSA State Coordinator

March 9, 2014

It is our sad duty to report that our current Grand Marshal, Worshipful Brother William "Billy" Graham, passed away last night after a long battle with cancer.

Please remember our worthy, dedicated Brother, and his family during this difficult time.

MWB David J DeChant, Grand Master, on left;
WB William "Billy" Graham, Grand Marshal, pictured on right

The Memorial service for W.Bro. Billy Graham, Grand Marshal, will commence at 11:00 a.m. on March 12, 2014 at the ALL SAINTS Chapel located at 2316 Redbank Rd, Bldg. 707, Goose Creek SC 29445.

Grand Lodge and MacArthur Lodge 427 will open at 10:00.am, then proceed to the Chapel. MacArthur Lodge 427 is located at 145 St. James Ave, Goose Creek S.C. 29445.

The 12th Annual Grand Lodge Golf Tourney will be held April 23, 2014 at The Crossings Golf Course, 3450 Shadow Creek Dr, Florence, SC 29505

Deadline for Sponsorships is April 12, 2014


Download Flyer for complete details.

By virtue of the Bylaws, Rules, & Regulations of DeMolay International, Mike A. Salazar has appointed Marc B. Bohn as the Personal Representative in South Carolina.

Marc B. Bohn
Region III Representative, DeMolay International...
2009 Lost Forest Lane
Conyers, GA 30094
(678) 787-6420 (Mobile)
(770) 860-9242 (Home)
[email protected]

DeMolay and the Grand Lodge are working cooperatively to resolve the leadership needs of the jurisdiction. The jurisdiction of South Carolina shall continue to operate normally and all questions and action of the Executive Officer should be addressed to the new Personal Representative of the Grand Master, Marc B. Bohn.

South Carolina DeMolay Chapters will remain open and active and report to the Region III Representative, Marc B. Bohn, until a candidate selection process can be completed.

David J DeChant, Grand Master - & - Mike A Salazar, Grand Master of DeMolay

The 277th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina will be held April 24th and 25th, 2014, in the Florence Civic Center, 3300 West Radio Drive, Florence, SC 29501.

The Religious Service will commence at 9:00 AM, conducted by The Reverend Jerry L. Phillips, Grand Chaplain.

The Grand Lodge will be officially opened at 10:00 am by the Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother David J. DeChant, Sr. assisted by the other Grand Lodge Officers and Brethren.

The Annual Banquet will be held Thursday night, April 24, at 7:00 pm at the Florence Civic Center.

The Hilton Garden Inn, 2671 Hospitality Blvd., Florence, SC 29501 will be the headquarters hotel.
Those desiring rooms there should get their reservations in early as rooms will be assigned on a first come-first serve basis. Each person, including Grand Lodge Officers, will be responsible for making his own reservations.

Rates at the hotel are $94.00 plus tax. Identify yourself as attending the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons to get this special rate. It is not likely that every­one will be able to stay at the hotel as there are a limited number of rooms. It is desirable, if at all possible, that all Grand Lodge Officers, including Past Grand Masters, District Deputy Grand Masters and Committee Members, stay at the headquarters hotel. The telephone number of the hotel is 843-432-3001.

Listed below are other nearby motels for your convenience.

Hampton Inn Suites
3000 West Radio Drive
Florence, SC 29501
Phone 843-629-9900

Red Roof Inn
2690 David McCloud Blvd
Florence, SC 29501
Phone 843-678-9000

Spring Hill Suites
2670 Hospitality Blvd
Florence, SC 29501
Phone 843-317-9050

Residence Inn
555 Bingo Blvd
Florence, SC 29501
Phone 843-468-2800

Our Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother David J. DeChant, Sr., has scheduled the Grand Master's Workshop for Worshipful Masters on Saturday, January 25, 2014. This meeting will begin promptly at 8:30 am in the Scottish Rite Center located at 7230 Garners Ferry Road (Sumter Highway), in Columbia, South Carolina.

This is a Grand Lodge Meeting and all Worshipful Masters are expected to attend. Even if you are serving as Worshipful Master for the second or third time, you are expected to attend. There will be good and wholesome instructions for A. Bring your Red Book, Masters Black Book and Ahiman Rezon.

Lunch will be served around NOON and hopefully the meet­ing will be completed by 2:30 or 3:00 pm.

This meeting is for all Worshipful Masters, Grand Lodge Officers, Past Grand Masters, Committee Members and District Deputies.

Your Grand Lodge Officers are looking forward to being with you for this very important meeting.

Grand Masters Workshop for Worshipful Masters - January 25, 2014

To find a cure for Juvenile Diabetes
This is something very dear to our family, our son David was diagnosed as a child with Juvenile Diabetes. As Grand Master I am placing upon the trestle board a request that every lodge in our Grand Jurisdiction support finding a cure Juvenile Diabetes.

Over thirty thousand individuals will be diagnosed with diabetes this year alone. It is estimated that over one hundred and twenty million individuals worldwide have diabetes. It is further estimated that approximately five million individuals have diabetes that has yet to be diagnosed. Without adequate medical treatment and supervision, serious health problems can arise. Long term complications include: heart attacks, blindness, nerve damage that can ultimately cause loss of limbs, and kidney failure.

I have asked MWB G. Kent Elkins to take the lead on this endeavor and will work with the Lodges and gather funds that will be presented during our 277th Annual Communication on behalf of the Masons in our Grand Jurisdiction.


Checks should be made to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of South Carolina and mailed to:             
M.W. Brother G Kent Elkins PGM
307 Wembley Rd 
Greenville South Carolina 29607-3136

Juvenile Diabetes Awareness Pins are available for $5.00 from several Grand Lodge officers. For multiple purchases, contact Brother Tommy Blackwood at 843.926.5788

Ahiman Rezon, Constitution and Code
37th Edition, 2012
597 Pages

Available from your local Lodge Secretary or a member of the Masonic Education Committee