The Masonic Degree Team
This historical piece of artwork was installed in the Shared Services Building on the campus of the Michigan Masonic Home on November 8th, 2021. This 13’ x 12.5’ mural was commissioned by the Grand Lodge of Michigan. Crafted with only graphite pencil, it took the renowned artist, Chris LaPorte, 700 hours to complete. The scene showcases famous Masons from all over the country as well as seven Michigan lodge Brothers. If you haven’t had the opportunity to come to Alma to see this magnificent piece of art, we welcome you to do so Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. We promise you, it will be worth the trip!
About the Artist:
Chris LaPorte is a Professor of Art at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was awarded the Grand Prize of 2010 ArtPrize©, the world’s largest art competition, for his entry “Cavalry, American Officers, 1921”. Measuring 8’ x 28’ (yes, that’s FEET), “Cavalry” was Mr. LaPorte’s tribute to his late father and a personalized rendition of a vintage photo the artist had seen at an antique store. Little did he know at the time what seeing that original photo would inspire in him and others in the years to come. Since winning ArtPrize© in 2010, Mr. LaPorte has become known for creating a variety of custom large-scale graphite renderings that use nostalgic imagery to help private citizens and groups tell their stories through his art. Clients who have relied on Mr. LaPorte to tell their stories in this unique and memorable way are organizations such as Aquinas College, The Dominican Sisters of Marywood, East Grand Rapids Library, and the Amway Corporation, just to name a few.
(April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974), Social #1, MWPHGL of DC. Composer, pianist, Jazz band leader
(November 4, 1879 – August 15, 1935), Claremore #53, GL of OK. Actor, humorist.
(b. September 1, 1947), York #410, GL of Michigan. Businessman.
(July 14, 1913 – December 26, 2006), Malta #465, GL of Michigan. 38th President of the United States from 1974 to 1977.
(October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919), Matinecock #806, GL of NY. 26th President of the United States from 1901 to 1909.
(December 7, 1919 – November 25, 2011), Greenville #96, GL of MI. Businessman. Billionaire chairman of Meijer, Inc. superstores.
(November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910), Polar Star #79, GL of MO. Writer, humorist, lecturer.
(May 8, 1884 – December 26, 1972), Belton #450, GL of MO. 33rd President of the United States from 1945 to 1953.
(b. September 22, 1949), Perfection-Mosaic #530, GL of MI. Occupation unconfirmed.
(b. January 20, 1930), Clear Lake #1417, GL of TX. Apollo 11 astronaut. Second man to set foot on the moon.
(July 2, 1908 – January 24, 1993), Coal Creek #88, MWPHGL of OK. Lawyer, civil rights activist, judge. First African-American U.S. Supreme Court justice.
(September 10, 1929 – September 25, 2016), Loyalhanna #275, GL of PA. Professional golfer.
(March 17, 1919 – February 15, 1965), Thomas Waller #49, MWPHGL of CA. Singer, pianist, actor.
(January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790), St. John’s Lodge in Philadelphia, Provincial GL of PA, GL of England. Scientist, inventor, writer, printer, statesman, diplomat. One of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America.
(April 7, 1860 – October 6, 1951), Battle Creek #12, GL of MI. Industrialist in food manufacturing. Founder of the Kellogg Company.
(November 1774 – June 12, 1827), Zion #1, GL of MI. Judge. First Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Michigan Territory. Instrumental in the creation of the University of Michigan.
(April 2, 1875 – August 18, 1940), Fellowship #236, GL of MI. Industrialist and pioneer in the automotive industry. Founder of the Chrysler Corporation.
(July 30, 1863 – April 7, 1947), Palestine #357, GL of MI. Industrialist and pioneer in the automotive industry. Founded the Ford Motor Company.
(b. May 6, 1931), Boyer #1, MWPHGL of NY. Professional baseball player.
(b. May 13, 1972), Sojourners #483, GL of MI. Millwright.
(February 26, 1866 – October 15, 1930), Centre #273, GL of MI. Industrialist in the chemical industry. Founder of the Dow Chemical Company.
(May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979), Marion McDaniel #56, GL of AZ. Actor.
(July 18, 1921 – December 8, 2016), Concord #688, GL of OH. Astronaut, U.S. Senator. First American to orbit the Earth.
(May 3, 1921 – April 12, 1989), Joppa #55, MWPHGL of NY. Professional Boxer.
(b. October 20, 1976), Wacousta-DeWitt #359, GL of MI. School Administrator.
(March 25, 1901 – February 20, 1991), Anchor of S.O. #87, GL of MI. Founder of Fetzer Broadcasting and long-time owner of the Detroit Tigers.
(February 22, 1732– December 14, 1799), Fredericksburg #4, GL of VA. 1st President and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.
(June 3, 1864 – August 26, 1950), Lansing #33, GL of MI. Founder of the Olds Motor Vehicle Company.
(October 8, 1890 – July 23, 1973), Kilwinning #297, GL of MI. Pilot, auto racer. Won the Medal of Honor for his victories as a World War I fighter ace.
(April 5, 1856 – November 14, 1915), Made Onsight, MWPHGL of MA. Educator, author, orator. Founder and 1st President of the Tuskegee Institute.
(October 9, 1782 – June 17, 1866), Zion #1, GL of MI. Politician, statesman. 1st Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Michigan.
(March 21, 1828 – August 30, 1862), Lansing #33, GL of MI. Military Officer, civil servant. Youngest man to serve as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Michigan at the age of 33.
(January 30, 1882 – April 12, 1945), Holland #8, GL of NY. 32nd President of the United States. Longest serving President in U.S. history.
(March 16, 1931 – January 29, 2016), Vienna #205, GL of MI. Occupation unknown.
(February 4, 1902 – August 26, 1974), Keystone #243, GL of MO. Aviator, inventor, activist. First person to complete a solo trans-Atlantic airplane flight.
(September 13, 1936 – May 2, 2021), North Star #5, MWPHGL of MI F&AM. Project Manager. Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Michigan 1983-84.
(b. October 20, 1938), Coloma #162, GL of MI. Business Manager. Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Michigan F&AM 1993-94.
(January 24, 1858 – November 8, 1936), Reed City #351, GL of MI. Lawyer, masonic leader. Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Michigan F&AM 1897-1898. Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Michigan R.A.M. 1896. Imperial Potentate of the A.A.O.N.M.S. 1901. Grand Master of the Grand Council of Michigan R&SM 1913. Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of Michigan O.E.S. 1918. Deputy of Michigan A.A.S.R.-N.M.J. 1934-36. Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Michigan 1903-1936.
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