Grand Lodge Officers
The Brethren who lead the Craft in Ontario, and the Grand Master’s representative in Essex County.
R.W. Bro. John H. Blevins Jr.
District Deputy Grand Master
Essex County District, 2026-2027
District Deputy Grand Master
Essex County District, 2026-2027
Your District Deputy Grand Master
Right Worshipful Brother John H. Blevins Jr. is the District Deputy Grand Master of Essex County District for the 2026-2027 year. His journey in Masonry began in the Acacia Chapter of DeMolay International, where he served in several different offices. He then served at the regional level as Master Councilor, Regional Master Councilor and State Marshal for Michigan, was appointed to the Degree of Chevalier, the highest honour available to DeMolay members, and was received into the DeMolay Order of Knighthood.
His Mother Lodge is High Twelve Lodge No. 577 in Warren, Michigan. He was Initiated on September 10, 1994, Passed to the Degree of a Fellowcraft on October 15, 1994, and Raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason on October 22, 1994. He served as Senior Steward in 1995 and Senior Deacon in 1996. In 1997 he affiliated with Windsor Lodge No. 403 and served as Worshipful Master in 2002. He was the District Secretary for R.W. Bro. Kent McMillan in the 2025-2026 year.
R.W. Bro. Blevins is very active in the appendant bodies of Masonry. He is a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, serving as Junior Grand Warden in the Windsor Valley Lodge of Perfection and as Marshal in the Windsor Valley Chapter of Rose Croix. In the York Rite he is the Principal Sojourner of the Windsor Chapter. He is also an active member of the Essex Council of the Cryptic Rite and the Windsor Preceptory.
He has been married to his wife Tina for 32 years. They have a son and two daughters, and he welcomed his first grandson just over a year ago. His entire family is heavily involved in Masonry: his wife was a Rainbow Girl when they met, his father and uncle were both very active Michigan Masons, his father-in-law is an active Brother of the Essex County District, and his son is currently an Entered Apprentice.
Over the course of his term, R.W. Bro. Blevins hopes to encourage visitation within the District and without, and to help the Masons of Essex County District realize their full potential.
How Grand Lodge is organized
Every Craft lodge in Ontario holds its warrant from the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Canada in the Province of Ontario, formed in Hamilton in October 1855. Grand Lodge meets each July in Annual Communication, where the lodges, through their Masters, Wardens and Past Masters, elect the officers who will govern the Craft.
The Grand Master
M.W. Bro. Art M. Di Cecco
The presiding officer of the Craft in Ontario, styled Most Worshipful. He sets the direction of Grand Lodge and is represented in each district by a District Deputy.
The Deputy Grand Master
R.W. Bro. James O. Wark
Assists the Grand Master, presides over the Board of General Purposes, and by custom succeeds him.
The Grand Wardens
The Grand Senior Warden and Grand Junior Warden are elected each year and rank next after the Deputy Grand Master.
Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer
The Grand Secretary runs the Grand Lodge office in Hamilton and keeps its records. The Grand Treasurer is responsible for its funds.
District Deputy Grand Masters
One for each district, chosen by the lodges of that district and styled Right Worshipful. The D.D.G.M. visits every lodge in his district officially during his year and reports to the Grand Master.
The Board of General Purposes
Elected and appointed members who manage the business of Grand Lodge between Annual Communications through its committees.
Where the District fits
Ontario’s lodges are grouped into districts so that no lodge is far from its Grand Master’s representative. Essex County District takes in thirteen lodges from Windsor to Tilbury and south to Pelee Island. The District Deputy Grand Master is assisted by a District Secretary and by Brethren who chair the District’s committees for the year.
To reach the D.D.G.M. or the District Secretary, use the form on our Contact page.