History of Campbell, Washington, Joppa Lodge No. 37

Originally, there were three Prince Hall Lodges meeting in West Philadelphia: J.P. Campbell No. 37 organized in March 1918, Booker T. Washington No. 81 organized in April 1919, and Joppa No.105 organized in September 1922.    

About seventy-eight years ago, economic conditions in this nation were such that certain lodges were consolidated in order that they might be of sufficient numbers and strength to continually forward the work of Free Masonry without interruption.  Campbell-Washington-Joppa Lodge No. 37 is a product of such a consolidation. Under the Grand Mastership of Brother Walter C. Beckett (1932-1933), delegates from the three lodges held a meeting. As a result, it was decided that a merger was in order.  

The motion for merger was unanimously approved by the three lodges at their respective regular meetings in April of 1933.  They met together on May 1, 1933 with James Faulker, Worshipful Master of JP. Campbell No. 37 the oldest lodge, presiding.  It was unanimously agreed that the name of the combined lodge would be Campbell-Washington-Joppa No. 37. Daniel A. Wooding, Worshipful Master of No. 81, was elected Worshipful Master of the new lodge, W.B. Stevenson, Senior Warden, J.L. Wooden, Junior Warden, John J. Johnson, Treasurer and Walter A. Jones, Secretary.  The new lodge held its first regular stated communication on Thursday, May 18, 1933 and has met continuously from that time.