On Holy Ground: A History of The Honorable Order of American Co-Masonry

by Karen Kidd

"On Holy History of the Honorable Order of American Co-Masonry, the American Federation of Human Rights", tells a story little known outside Co-Masonic circles and not especially well-recalled even there.
Co-Masonry, the branch of Freemasonry that accepts men and women, in its second Century in North America, is one of many "silences" in history. Seldom written until now, North American Co-Masonry, for the most part, is the history of the Honorable Order of American Co-Masonry, the American Federation of Human Rights, today the largest Co-Masonic Body on the continent.

"On Holy Ground" begins with a brief retelling Freemasonry's story; traces women's early entry into the Operative Masonic guilds and Speculative otherwise all-male Freemasonic Lodges; explains women's unfair exclusion from the Craft; and the rise in Europe of Co-Masonry, which finally swung the doors open to female initiates. "On Holy Ground" introduces the reader to the earliest Co-Masons and the founders of their Orders throughout the world.
"On Holy Ground" also is the story of the Order's response to external pressures, two World Wars; economic downturns; philosophical self-definition and internal strive, division and perseverance. Above all else, "On Holy Ground" is a recollection of the Order's tenacious and very North American hold on its promised autonomy that lead, in the mid-1990s, to the establishment of the Order as it is known "a Masonic Obedience Independent of all others."

Amply illustrated, with many color images - most never before published outside the Order - "On Holy Ground" boasts an appendix filled with writings and reflections of many leaders in the Order. Tucked near the end is a rare treat for Masonic the text of a speech given before a Co-Masonic Lodge in New York City by author, mystic and, ultimately, Freemason Manly P Hall. The text of Hall's speech has not been published in more than 80 years.
Anyone expecting apologia or a polemic will be disappointed. "On Holy Ground" is neither subjective nor critical history of the Order in particular or of Co-Masonry in general. At almost 400 highly readable pages and more than 550 detailed footnotes, "On Holy Ground" is intended to be as objective as possible; to provide readers with the truth so they may take it from there.

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[JHM]

This meticulously researched, lovingly written book should be considered required reading for any member of the Honorable Order of American Co-Masonry.

Bro. Karen has done the Order a tremendous service by piecing together hundreds of documents from around the world, interviewing those still living who took part in significant events, and presenting us with a warts-and-all story of our roots, founders, champions, challenges, mistakes, and triumphs. She brings to life the people who shaped the Order and the particular character of the eras in which they lived. It was a joy to find out more about the people in the portraits in Larkspur, and come to know them as Brothers and individuals.

Only one caveat: at the present time, the Kindle version is a mess, with the footnotes dropped directly into the text at odd intervals. Read the paper version until the Kindle version is updated.


Disclaimer: I am a member of Bro. Karen's Lodge and a friend of hers. (But this is still an amazing work of research, very well presented!)