Most Worshipful Brother
Philip H. Henderson, PGM
Grand Lodge of
Prince Edward Island, A.F. & A.M.;
Grand Master 1998 – 1999

M.W.Bro. Philip H. Henderson was elected Grand Master of Prince Edward Island in June of 1998. Born September 8, 1928, his home is in Margate, near Kensington, P.E.I., where he received his schooling. The family farm became his creative interest and lifetime occupation.

He was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on August 4, 1955 in Mount Zion Lodge No. 12 in Kensington. In 1962 that Lodge elected him Worshipful Master. In March 1968 he was appointed Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Virginia near the Grand Lodge of P.E.I.

Exalted to the Most Sublime degree of Royal Arch Mason in March 1958 by Prince Edward Chapter No. 12, Kensington, he was elected High Priest there in 1967. His interest in Capitular Masonry was recognized by the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Nova Scotia (with jurisdiction over Prince Edward Island) with his appointment as Grand Steward in 1980, and District Grand Superintendent of District 5 (P.E.I.) for the two years of 1983 and 1984 (he also served as Assistant Grand Lecturer for the District in 1990), and Grand Captain of the Host in 1989. He received the Royal Arch Mason Meritorious Service Award 1994, and was appointed Grand Representative of the Grand Chapter of Wisconsin near the Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia in 1994. He was also honoured with a “Founders certificate of Appreciation” by the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Newfoundland in 1996. Finally, in 1997 he was elevated by the Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia to the highest rank of Honourary Past Grand High Priest.

Having earlier advanced further in the York Rite, joining Prince Edward Preceptory No. 35 of Knights Templar in 1987, he was elected Presiding Preceptor there in 1990 and again in 1995. Again he accepted a national office, being appointed Grand Sub Marshall of the Sovereign Great Priory of Canada in 1994 and Provincial Grand Prior of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island in 1995.

As well, he served as Thrice Illustrious Master of Garden of the Gulf Council No. 9 of Royal & Select Masters in 1991 and 1992, and after several preliminary offices he was elected Grand Master of the Supreme Grand Council Eastern Jurisdiction of Canada in 2000. He was also elected Most Puissant Sovereign of Royal Island Conclave No. 28 of Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine in 1995; Knight of York in Nova Scotia York Rite College No. 132 in Truro, N.S., in 1996; and Knight Priest of Northumbria Tabernacle No. 111 of Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests in 1997. Having served as presiding officer in all four York Rite bodies, he was honoured in 1996 by election to Eastern Priory No. 19 of Knights of the York Cross of Honour.

In the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, he joined Albert Edward Lodge of Perfection in 1960, Gordon L. Bennett Chapter Rose Croix (formerly St. Lawrence Chapter) in 1966 and advanced to the 32nd Degree of the Scottish Rite in Nova Scotia Consistory, Halifax, in 1974. He was further honoured by being elected a member of the Royal Order of Scotland in 1988, where he was appointed Provincial Second Grand Steward in 1994.In 2004, he was Coroneted an Honorary Inspector General (33rd Degree).

He has also been a Shriner since 1983, first joining the Red Oak Shrine Club in Kensington, and Philae Temple in Halifax,, and rising to the office of President in both the Red Oak and Island Shrine Clubs. He also holds memberships in the Royal Order of Jesters (Nova Scotia Court No. 155) and the Order of the Secret Monitor (Nova Scotia Conclave No. 6), and several honourary ranks in various Masonic bodies in Maine and Quebec.

In the year 2001, he was still attending most of these bodies, throughout the Maritimes, more often than the average member of each!