Members of the Independent United Order of Mechanics, Friendly Society, Western Hemisphere, Incorporated (IUOM) in the New York Metropolitan area celebrated on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, their 268th Anniversary Service of Thanksgiving at the Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew (Episcopal) in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn.
The Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew, at 520 Clinton Ave., was built 1888-1891, and has been a New York City landmark since 1981.
IUOM is a fraternal organization with branches in Europe, Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean.
Sis. Hyacinth Robinson-Goldson, IUOM’s Jamaican-born community liaison, told Caribbean Life on Saturday, Sept. 20, that the second Sunday of September is set aside for a worldwide annual celebration in a Service of Thanksgiving and Fellowship.
Decked out in their splendid Mechanics regalia, Robinson-Goldson said rank and file members, led by the Jamaican-born leader, Rt. Hon. Errol G. Collins, Most Worshipful Grand Master, with members of the Executive Committee of Grand Council, District Grand Masters, Venerable Past Grand Masters, and members of the Order, “marched to the beat of the music in celebration of this day that is set aside for all Mechanics, families, and friends.”
She said members of the United Veterans Band, escorted by members of the NYPD 88th Precinct, were on hand at the Order’s headquarters, at 65 Putnam Ave. in Bedford-Stuyvesant, to “accommodate and assist with the traditional parade to the church, under the watchful eyes of Panamanian-born Rt. Hon. Francisco Bethune, Sr., Executive Grand Tyler, assisted by the District Grand Tylers, Hon. Maurice Stewart, Hon. Valerio Waldron, Hon Edson Georges, and Ven. Elecio Henry.”
Robinson-Goldson said this year’s celebration was hosted by Guyanese-born Hon. Myrthland Ince, Right Worshipful District Grand Master of the Brooklyn District Grand Jurisdiction, and chaired by Hon. Waldron DaSilva, Deputy District Grand Master, assisted by members of the 2025 Mechanics Day Planning Committee, appointed from all five District Grand Jurisdictions in the New York Metropolitan area.
She said Australian-born the Rev. Andrew Durbidge, rector, was the celebrant for the service.
Robinson-Goldson said he delivered “a powerful message” under the theme, “Love Binds Us Together”, chosen by the Mechanics for this year’s celebration.
She said the nearly three-hour-long service, which she coordinated in conjunction with Rev. Durbidge, also paid tribute to the victims of the 9/11 attacks on the United States.
Robinson-Goldson said the tribute has become a part of the annual celebration since 9/11.
She said the Rt. Hon. Winston George, the Panamanian-born Executive Grand Prelate of the Order, led the tributes, with participation by members of the Youth Sector carrying lighted tapers and the five District Grand Masters presenting a red carnation in commemoration of the victims, followed by “a beautiful rendition of the song”, initially recorded by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, “My Help Cometh from the Lord.”
Robinson-Goldson said the Mechanics Choir sang the song with Luc Dorsinville on the organ.
She said the tribute concluded with “a prayer for the souls of those who perished, their families, some of whom have continued to mourn their loss, the firefighters, volunteers, co-workers, federal, state, and city governments and their leaders, and the survivors.”
Robinson-Goldson said Rt. Hon. Leighton Dingwall, the Panamanian-born Executive Grand Secretary, gave a historical synopsis of the Order, which began in 1757 in Lancashire, England.
She said other highlights included the recent inauguration of a District Grand Lodge in the Cayman Islands, Cayman District Grand Lodge #1, by the Executive Committee of Grand Council, and other accomplishments over the years as a fraternal organization.
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 celebrate, 268 glorious years of Mechanism, and 85 tested years since the headquarters of the Order was transferred to New York on Sept. 1, 1941, tribute must be given to our previous leaders of our Order, who, over these many years, have maintained this great and noble Order in times of the valleys and on the mountains,” he said. “On behalf of all Mechanics, we thank them.
“To our worthy Mechanics, be reminded that the ‘Bundle of Sticks’ represents strength,” he added. “I, therefore, beseech you to let us stand together, because ‘a house divided against itself shall not stand’ (Matthew 12: 25 KJV).”
At the subsequent reception, Robinson-Goldson said members, families, friends, and supporters “feted with a sumptuous meal, catered by Dacta Bird Restaurant, located at 1553 Ralph Ave., Brooklyn.”
“Overall, it was one of our best Mechanics Days”, said Sis: Chelsea Treasure-Campbell, a proud member of the Order.
“I want to wear one of the regalia,” said nine-year-old Ms Queenie, the daughter of a visitor, who was very excited to see the various colors of the regalia that members wore.
“I’m coming back next year,” said another unidentified visitor, “and maybe I will join very soon”.
“Truly this was a team effort”, said Vincentian-born Waldron DaSilva, chairman of the Planning Committee, who welcomed guests and thanked all committee members at the reception.
For more information on the Mechanics Order, visit: www.ioumwh1.org.