Our History and our Namesake
Brother John Philip Sousa “A Brother who marched to the beat of his own drum. “

Brother John Philip Sousa was the most prolific bandmaster ever. During his lifetime, he performed over 15,000 concerts worldwide. Brother Sousa and his bands performed for Presidents, Kings and Queens, and numerous other heads of state as well as the general public. While Brother Sousa was known as “The March King” for the 136 marches he composed, Brother Sousa wrote many other styles of music. In addition to writing many musical works, Brother Sousa wrote full length novels. Brother Sousa was the director of The United States Marine Band, “The President’s Own” from 1880-1892, and the Great Lakes Naval Reserve Band from 1917- 1918, and The Sousa Band from 1918 until his death in 1932. Brother Sousa’s Masonic life was a very long and illustrious one after being born in Washington D.C. in 1854. He was a 51-year Mason and was raised in Hiram Lodge No. 10 (now Hiram-Takoma Lodge No. 10) in Washington D.C. and remained a member of the Lodge until his death in 1932. He was known for being very active in masonry and occasionally showing up at various communications with an ensemble.

In honor of our Brother Sousa, brethren of Hiram-Takoma Lodge No. 10 made a request to the Worshipful Master, Justin D. Rattey, to appoint a lodge organization committee and on January 13, 2020, Hiram-Takoma Lodge No. 10 voted to sponsor a “John Philip Sousa Lodge.” On January 22, 2020, a request to operate Under Dispensation was granted by Most Worshipful Brother Michael D. Nicholas, Sr., Grand Master of Masons of the District of Columbia.

The Lodge was given permission to begin its proficiency obligations in conjunction with the Grand Lodge Oversight Committee who was made up of Right Worshipful Brother Christopher K. “Chip” Mahaney, Right Worshipful Brother Morgan P. Corr, and Right Worshipful Brother Jacob M. Bressman. Over a year delay due to COVID-19, the Lodge was able to operate in-person performing all 3 degrees as well as courtesy degrees for other lodges and its other labors. Brother Steven G. Novak was the very first member raised in John Philip Sousa Lodge. After fulfilling all of the obligations under the Grand Lodge Code as well as a unanimous recommendation from the Grand Lodge Oversight Committee, the Grand Lodge at its Annual Communication on Saturday, November 20, 2021, granted John Philip Sousa U.D. permission to be chartered as No. 1106, which is Brother John Philip Sousa’s birthday (November 6, 1854).

On Sunday, November 21, 2021, Most Worshipful Brother Alan L. Gordon, the 2021 Grand Master of Masons of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, the Deputy Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother Daniel A. Huertas, the Senior Grand Warden, Right Worshipful Brother Annas F. Kamara, the Junior Grand Warden, Right Worshipful Brother Jacob M. Bressman, and the Grand Secretary, Most Worshipful Brother Jeffrey D. Russell, and other Grand Lodge and Lodge officers, consecrated Lodge and signed the charter. The Grand Master, along with the Grand Marshal, Worshipful Brother, Perry J. Blatstein, installed the very first Pillar officers: Worshipful Brother Marshall N. Willner, Worshipful Master, Worshipful Brother Bernard J. “Bud” Michels, Senior Warden, Worshipful Brother Scott C. Jacobs, Junior Warden and the rest of the officers and is now known as JOHN PHILIP SOUSA LODGE NO. 1106 Free And Accepted Masons of the District of Columbia.

November 21, 2021 - JPS 1106 Charter Elected and Appointed Officers and Members in attendance for Consecration and Chartering Ceremony.

• Front Row (L-R) Dallas E. Valley, III (Master of Ceremony), Larry F. Vigil (Junior Steward), Scott C. Jacobs (Junior Warden), Alan L. Gordon (Grand Master of Masons, 2021), Marshall N. Willner (Worshipful Master), Bernard J. (Bud) Michels (Senior Warden), Martin Schmidt, Jr. (HTX), Collin A. Jackson (Assistant Master of Ceremonies)

• Back Row (L-R) Shannon L. Scott (Historian), Gregory T. Martin (Musician), Frederick W. B. Waesche (Junior Deacon), Charles J. Shaw, Jr. (Secretary), Christopher T. Glakas (Senior Steward), Darren A. King (Senior Deacon), Neal F. Jarvis (Chaplain), Bradley D. Andrukitis (Aide to the Worshipful Master), Kevin M. Ritter (Almoner), David L. Andrukitis, Terry L. Royce, Sr. (Lodge Envoy), Miguel P. Banagan (Master Expert)

The Lodge’s mission and programs will focus heavily on music, with a connection to all forms of art as it can be applied to music such as dance, song, theater, painting, cinema, sculpture and others. This will align to the Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences of the Fellow Craft Degree, all of which we strive to live by every day of our lives while projecting all great things of the arts to the outside world through Freemasonry. We intend to honor Brother Sousa whose works are performed around the world to this day. Brother Sousa’s gift of music benefits the world with sounds which are innovative and remain timeless. With all of that said, this Lodge is neither a Sousa fandom lodge nor a musician’s lodge as we welcome all Masons to join us on this journey and help shape a new Lodge in our Nation’s Capital and be a part of the experience that is John Philip Sousa Lodge No. 1106.

Compiled by Worshipful Brother Bernard J. “Bud” Michels, of John Philip Sousa Lodge No. 1106, Free And Accepted Masons of the District of Columbia, Consecrated and Chartered this 21st day of November of 2021 at the Takoma Masonic Center in Washington, DC.

2024 Officers

Pillar Officers