The Legacy of J.H. Walker
The Father of Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliated in Georgia
John Henry Walker was a man of vision, enterprise, and uncommon Masonic devotion. A founder and Past Master of Central City Lodge No. 199 in Macon — later consolidated with Phoenix Lodge No. 12 during the Great Depression and known today as Central City Lodge No. 12 — Walker distinguished himself not only as a respected businessman, but as a tireless architect of the Craft’s expansion in this jurisdiction.
Around the turn of the twentieth century, he is believed to have served as the first Deputy of the Orient for the Scottish Rite in Georgia, laying the foundation upon which the Rite would firmly stand. In lasting tribute to his labors, the first Scottish Rite Consistory organized in the State was established in Macon and bears his honored name: J. H. Walker Consistory No. 14. His legacy further endures in J. H. Walker Lodge No. 55, a vibrant body that continues to uphold his principles and example.
It was also through the leadership of Brother Walker that the chivalric Orders flourished within Georgia. The John H. DeVeaux Grand Commandery and the Magnanimous Order of Knights Templar Masons were introduced to the State alongside the Scottish Rite Degrees through his influence and determination.
On June 8, 1912, the John H. DeVeaux Grand Encampment was organized with assistance from the Jurisdiction of Washington, D.C. The Grand Eminent Commander, Peter Walker of that jurisdiction, appointed Sir Knight J. H. Walker as District Deputy Grand Eminent Commander, entrusting him with the solemn charge of cultivating Knights Templar Masonry in Georgia. For these efforts, he is justly revered as the father of the Higher Degrees in Georgia, including the Shrine.
It is therefore no coincidence that many of the earliest Higher Bodies in the State — among them the Royal Arch Chapter and the Consistory — first emerged from the Valley of Macon. While exact dates of the earliest assemblies of the Scottish Rite and the Shrine in Georgia cannot be definitively documented, tradition holds that their formative meetings occurred circa 1905. Endowed with influential connections and formidable business acumen, John Henry Walker proved to be the singular force who ushered the Higher Degrees into Georgia’s Masonic landscape. His likeness, adorned with the jeweled emblem of the Shrine, the sash of the Scottish Rite, and the chapeau of a Knight Templar leader, stands as enduring testimony to his service.
From the great city of Macon, this distinguished pioneer was given to our Order, a man whose foresight, fidelity, and fortitude shaped the course of Georgia Freemasonry. His legacy remains woven into the fabric of our Consistory, and we honor his memory with gratitude and pride.
