GOLD STANDARD LODGE #167 HISTORY
	Gold Standard Lodge #167 had its beginnings in 1897.  Members of the Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge of Florida, working under a warrant of dispensation decided that the time had come to present a petition and from there become a chartered lodge.  On January 13, 1898, the Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge of Florida, Free and Accepted Masons convened and assembled in the city of Gainesville, Florida.  At that time, the following square and upright men petitioned for a charter. S. W. Giggs (W.M.)                                                   Dennis Jones W. L. Bradley (S.W.)                                                James Kinight J. H. Lovett (J.W.)                                                    J.W. Lark T. C. Clark                                                               Isaac Lovett G. C. Cooper                                                            Allen Owens The charter was issued under the signatures of the following Grand Lodge Officers: S. H. Coleman (G.M.)                                                W. F. Thompson (G.S.W.) J. H. Dickerson (D.G.M.)                                           John Bloom (G. Sec.) The Lodge met in various homes, social buildings, and churches in the black community in the early years.  Much of the Lodge history has been lost from 1898 to 1960.  In the early and middle 1960s, Harvey Ford and Fred Owens served as Worshipful Masters.  In the late 60s, the chair was passed to Melvin P. Wintons.  Under his leadership and the leadership of Donald Parnell, of Winfield Lodge #287, the two Lodges merged to become one strong Lodge in the early 70s. In the 1980s, the brothers tore down the old wooden building that they were using and started building the block building that stands at its current location.  Brothern Melvin P. Wintons was still serving the craft as the Worshipful Master during this time of building.  On June 9, 1987, Bro. Frank Tate deeded the land that the Lodge presently owns to Gold Standard Lodge #167, assuring that the longevity of the Lodge would be certain.  In 1996, Bro. Michael Turner (a.k.a. Tshaka Malik Alkush) was elected as Worshipful Master of the Lodge and served as Worshipful Master until 1999..  Under his leadership, the brothers began the annual Lake City Masonic Family Banquet. In 1999, Bro. Turner (Alkush) moved to Georgia, and the chair was passed to Bro. Leroy Marshall, II in August 1999. Bro. Marshall served as Worshipful Master from 1999 to 2004. Under his leadership the brothers began annual Easter Egg Hunts, Kid's Swim Day, Community Service Days and Juneteenth Celebrations. In 2004 Bro. Marshall was appointed to the position of District Deputy Grand Master. The Worshipful Master's chair was then passed to Bro. Carlos Brown for the 2005 calendar year. Bro. Carlos Brown served as Worshipful master for one year.  Bro. Bennie Harper was elected Worshipful Master for the 2006 & 2007 calendar years and is currently giving proper instructions and setting the craft to work.
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