 Having been rejected by colonial Freemasonries, Hall and the others sought and were initiated into the Masonry by members of the Grand Lodge of Ireland on March 6, 1775 - African Lodge #1 was established and Hall was named Grand Master.African Lodge #459

In 1784, the African Lodge #1 applied to and received a charter from the Premier Grand Lodge of England and was renamed African Lodge #459.In 1827, the African Lodge #459 declared its independence from the Grand Lodge of England and became the Prince Hall Freemasonry.