Members of the Unbiased United Order of Mechanics, Pleasant Society, Western Hemisphere, Included (IUOM) within the New York Metropolitan space celebrated on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, their 268th Anniversary Service of Thanksgiving on the Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew (Episcopal) within the Bedford-Stuyvesant part of Brooklyn.
The Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew, at 520 Clinton Ave., was constructed 1888-1891, and has been a New York Metropolis landmark since 1981.
IUOM is a fraternal group with branches in Europe, Canada, the USA, and the Caribbean.
Sis. Hyacinth Robinson-Goldson, IUOM’s Jamaican-born neighborhood liaison, advised Caribbean Life on Saturday, Sept. 20, that the second Sunday of September is put aside for a worldwide annual celebration in a Service of Thanksgiving and Fellowship.
Decked out of their splendid Mechanics regalia, Robinson-Goldson mentioned rank and file members, led by the Jamaican-born chief, Rt. Hon. Errol G. Collins, Most Worshipful Grand Grasp, with members of the Government Committee of Grand Council, District Grand Masters, Venerable Previous Grand Masters, and members of the Order, “marched to the beat of the music in celebration of at the present time that’s put aside for all Mechanics, households, and pals.”
She mentioned members of the United Veterans Band, escorted by members of the NYPD 88th Precinct, had been available on the Order’s headquarters, at 65 Putnam Ave. in Bedford-Stuyvesant, to “accommodate and help with the standard parade to the church, beneath the watchful eyes of Panamanian-born Rt. Hon. Francisco Bethune, Sr., Government Grand Tyler, assisted by the District Grand Tylers, Hon. Maurice Stewart, Hon. Valerio Waldron, Hon Edson Georges, and Ven. Elecio Henry.”
Robinson-Goldson mentioned this 12 months’s celebration was hosted by Guyanese-born Hon. Myrthland Ince, Proper Worshipful District Grand Grasp of the Brooklyn District Grand Jurisdiction, and chaired by Hon. Waldron DaSilva, Deputy District Grand Grasp, assisted by members of the 2025 Mechanics Day Planning Committee, appointed from all 5 District Grand Jurisdictions within the New York Metropolitan space.
She mentioned Australian-born the Rev. Andrew Durbidge, rector, was the celebrant for the service.
Robinson-Goldson mentioned he delivered “a strong message” beneath the theme, “Love Binds Us Collectively”, chosen by the Mechanics for this 12 months’s celebration.
She mentioned the almost three-hour-long service, which she coordinated together with Rev. Durbidge, additionally paid tribute to the victims of the 9/11 assaults on the USA.
Robinson-Goldson mentioned the tribute has grow to be part of the annual celebration since 9/11.
She mentioned the Rt. Hon. Winston George, the Panamanian-born Government Grand Prelate of the Order, led the tributes, with participation by members of the Youth Sector carrying lighted tapers and the 5 District Grand Masters presenting a purple carnation in commemoration of the victims, adopted by “a gorgeous rendition of the music”, initially recorded by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, “My Assist Cometh from the Lord.”
Robinson-Goldson mentioned the Mechanics Choir sang the music with Luc Dorsinville on the organ.
She mentioned the tribute concluded with “a prayer for the souls of those that perished, their households, a few of whom have continued to mourn their loss, the firefighters, volunteers, co-workers, federal, state, and metropolis governments and their leaders, and the survivors.”
Robinson-Goldson mentioned Rt. Hon. Leighton Dingwall, the Panamanian-born Government Grand Secretary, gave a historic synopsis of the Order, which started in 1757 in Lancashire, England.
She mentioned different highlights included the latest inauguration of a District Grand Lodge within the Cayman Islands, Cayman District Grand Lodge #1, by the Government Committee of Grand Council, and different accomplishments through the years as a fraternal group.
In his worldwide Mechanics Day Message, Rt. Hon. Collins reminded all members that “Mechanism is a pure, ennobling creed, emphasizing morality and the acknowledgement and worship of a Supreme Being.”
“As we have fun, 268 wonderful years of Mechanism, and 85 examined years because the headquarters of the Order was transferred to New York on Sept. 1, 1941, tribute have to be given to our earlier leaders of our Order, who, over these a few years, have maintained this nice and noble Order in occasions of the valleys and on the mountains,” he mentioned. “On behalf of all Mechanics, we thank them.
“To our worthy Mechanics, be reminded that the ‘Bundle of Sticks’ represents energy,” he added. “I, due to this fact, beseech you to allow us to stand collectively, as a result of ‘a home divided in opposition to itself shall not stand’ (Matthew 12: 25 KJV).”
On the subsequent reception, Robinson-Goldson mentioned members, households, pals, and supporters “feted with a luxurious meal, catered by Dacta Chook Restaurant, positioned at 1553 Ralph Ave., Brooklyn.”
“General, it was one in all our greatest Mechanics Days”, mentioned Sis: Chelsea Treasure-Campbell, a proud member of the Order.
“I wish to put on one of many regalia,” mentioned nine-year-old Ms Queenie, the daughter of a customer, who was very excited to see the assorted colours of the regalia that members wore.
“I’m coming again subsequent 12 months,” mentioned one other unidentified customer, “and perhaps I’ll be a part of very quickly”.
“Actually this was a crew effort”, mentioned Vincentian-born Waldron DaSilva, chairman of the Planning Committee, who welcomed visitors and thanked all committee members on the reception.
For extra data on the Mechanics Order, go to: www.ioumwh1.org.
