James D. Lynch

The history of the James D. Lynch Lodge No. 2 in Jackson, MS is closely tied to the history of the community in which it was founded. Contributing factors to the development of the Lodge in the city of Jackson were the Church, the social and economical patterns of the day and the politics of the newly freed slaves of African descendant in the 1860’s.

The role of Reverend Thomas W. Stringer, the well known African Methodist minister and abolitionist from Vicksburg, MS via Cincinnati, OH is well documented in the history of the Grand Lodge of Mississippi. Reverend Stringer was the chief organizer behind the development of Lodges at Vicksburg, Jackson and Natchez. As noted in “A History of the Most Worshipful Stringer Grand Lodge: Our Heritage Is Our Challenge” by Dr Alferdteen Harrison, “His early influential Masonic associates in Mississippi included James D. Lynch, a politician; Hiram-R. Revels, the first President of Alcorn State University and first black senator to the United States Congress, and Alexander Clark. There are two lodges which carry the names of Lynch and Revels. Lynch Lodge Number two in Jackson was named for James D. Lynch and Revels Lodge Number three was named for Revels. The first lodge which was organized was Stringer Lodge Number One in Vicksburg. All three of these lodges were chartered by the Grand Lodge of Ohio, 1867 – 1868”.

The exact date relative to the foundering of Lynch Lodge Number, Two in 1867 or early 1868 is not known.

It is thought that Reverend James D. Lynch had the distinction of being the first Worshipful Master of Lynch Lodge. It is further believed that M.M. McLeod, the second Grand Master in the Stringer Grand Lodge, following the death of Thomas Stringer in 1893, may have also served as a Worshipful Master of Lynch Lodge following Reverend Lynch.

It was commonly believed that Lynch Lodge Number Two was named for John R. Lynch, one of the Black men from Mississippi elected to the United States Congress during 1872. Additionally, the location of the present day lodge on John R. Lynch Street in Jackson has continued to contribute to the mis-education and confusion.