KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS LODGES

Act 17 of 1877

AN ACT to provide for the incorporation of lodges of Knights of Pythias; and to impose certain duties upon the department of commerce.


History: 1877, Act 17, Imd. Eff. Mar. 1, 1877 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 536, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983




The People of the State of Michigan enact:


457.351 Knights of Pythias lodges; incorporation.

Sec. 1.

     That the grand lodge and subordinate lodges of Knights of Pythias of the state of Michigan may be incorporated in pursuance of the provisions of this act.


History: 1877, Act 17, Imd. Eff. Mar. 1, 1877 ;-- How. 4551 ;-- CL 1897, 8001 ;-- CL 1915, 10462 ;-- CL 1929, 10665 ;-- CL 1948, 457.351





457.352 Grand lodge; articles of association, execution, contents.

Sec. 2.

     Any 10 or more persons residents of this state being members of the grand lodge of the Knights of Pythias of the state of Michigan desirous to become incorporated may make and execute articles of association under their hands and seals which articles of association shall be acknowledged before some officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds and shall set forth:
     First The names of the persons associating in the first instance and their places of residence;
     Second The corporate name by which such association shall be known in the law, and the place of its business office;
     Third The object and purpose of such association which shall be to promote the general welfare of the fraternity known as the grand lodge of Knights of Pythias and the period for which it is incorporated not exceeding 30 years.


History: 1877, Act 17, Imd. Eff. Mar. 1, 1877 ;-- How. 4552 ;-- CL 1897, 8002 ;-- CL 1915, 10463 ;-- CL 1929, 10666 ;-- CL 1948, 457.352





457.353 Grand lodge; filing articles, charter, and constitution; body politic and corporate; powers.

Sec. 3.

     A copy of said articles of association, together with a copy of the charter and constitution of said grand lodge, shall be filed with the corporation and securities bureau of the department of commerce, and thereupon the persons who shall have signed such articles of association, their associates and successors shall be a body politic and corporate by the name expressed in such articles of association, and by that name they and their successors shall have succession, and shall be persons in the law, capable to purchase, take, receive, hold, and enjoy, to them and their successors, estates real and personal, of suing and being sued, and to have a common seal, which may be altered or changed at their pleasure. They and their successors shall have power to give, grant, sell, lease, demise, and dispose of said real and personal estate, or part thereof, at their will and pleasure, and the proceeds, rents and incomes shall be devoted exclusively to the charitable and benevolent purposes of the grand lodge of Knights of Pythias. Said corporation shall have full power to make and establish rules, regulations, and bylaws for regulating and governing all the affairs and business of said corporation not repugnant to the constitution and laws of this state or of the United States, and to designate, elect, or appoint from its members such officers, under such name and style as shall be in accordance with the constitution of the supreme lodge of the world.


History: 1877, Act 17, Imd. Eff. Mar. 1, 1877 ;-- How. 4553 ;-- CL 1897, 8003 ;-- CL 1915, 10464 ;-- Am. 1929, Act 18, Eff. Aug. 28, 1929 ;-- CL 1929, 10667 ;-- CL 1948, 457.353 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 536, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983





457.354 Grand lodge; certified copy of articles as evidence.

Sec. 4.

     A copy of the record of such articles of association under the seal of the state duly certified according to law shall be received as prima facie evidence in all courts of this state of the existence and due incorporation of such corporation.


History: 1877, Act 17, Imd. Eff. Mar. 1, 1877 ;-- How. 4554 ;-- CL 1897, 8004 ;-- CL 1915, 10465 ;-- CL 1929, 10668 ;-- CL 1948, 457.354





457.355 Subordinate lodges; chartering; existing lodges; regulation.

Sec. 5.

     Such corporation when duly formed shall have power to institute and charter subordinate lodges of said order within this state and from time to time to make, ordain, constitute and establish such general laws and by-laws, ordinances and regulations for the government of such subordinate lodges not repugnant to law or to the constitution or regulations of the grand lodge of Knights of Pythias as to them shall seem proper and necessary, and in case of violation or non-compliance with such ordinances, by-laws and regulations to revoke and annul the charter granted to such subordinate lodges: Provided, That the existing subordinate lodges heretofore duly chartered by the grand lodge of Michigan (or the United States), shall be subject to the control of the said grand lodge under this act as heretofore and in the same manner, and to the same extent as those that may hereafter be instituted and chartered under this act.


History: 1877, Act 17, Imd. Eff. Mar. 1, 1877 ;-- How. 4555 ;-- CL 1897, 8005 ;-- CL 1915, 10466 ;-- CL 1929, 10669 ;-- CL 1948, 457.355





457.356 Subordinate lodge; execution and filing of articles; body politic and corporate; record of articles as evidence.

Sec. 6.

     Any 9 or more persons, residents of this state, being members of any subordinate lodge, having been duly chartered by the grand lodge of this state, desirous to become incorporated, may make and execute articles of association under their hands and seals, specifying as provided in article 2 of this act, and file a copy of such articles with the corporation and securities bureau of the department of commerce, and thereupon the persons who shall have signed said articles of association, their associates and successors, shall be a body politic and corporate by the name expressed in such articles of association; and by that name they and their successors shall have succession, and shall be persons in the law capable to purchase, hold, enjoy, grant, sell, give, lease, and demise real and personal estate, of suing and being sued, and may have a common seal, and change and alter the same at pleasure; and a certified copy of the record of such articles of association, under the seal of the corporation and securities bureau of the department of commerce, shall be received as prima facie evidence in all courts in this state of the existence and due incorporation of such corporation. They and their successors shall have authority and power to give, grant, sell, lease, demise, and dispose of said real and personal estate, or part thereof, at their will and pleasure, and the proceeds, rents, and income shall be devoted exclusively to the charitable and benevolent purposes of the order of Knights of Pythias.


History: 1877, Act 17, Imd. Eff. Mar. 1, 1877 ;-- How. 4556 ;-- CL 1897, 8006 ;-- CL 1915, 10467 ;-- Am. 1929, Act 18, Eff. Aug. 28, 1929 ;-- CL 1929, 10670 ;-- CL 1948, 457.356 ;-- Am. 1982, Act 536, Eff. Mar. 30, 1983





457.357 Erection of building; capital stock, creation, shares, cemetery.

Sec. 7.

     Any corporation formed in pursuance of this act may erect and own such suitable edifice, building, or hall, as to such corporation shall seem proper, with convenient rooms for the meetings of the lodges of the order of Knights of Pythias; and for that purpose may create a capital stock to be divided into shares of not more than 50 dollars each; and any such corporation may take, purchase, hold, and own such suitable lot or parcel of ground as may be convenient for the purpose of a cemetery, and may make all lawful rules and regulations for the disposition of lots, and the burial of the dead therein as to such corporation may seem proper: Provided, This act shall not be construed to affect municipal regulations in regard to cemeteries.


History: 1877, Act 17, Imd. Eff. Mar. 1, 1877 ;-- How. 4557 ;-- CL 1897, 8007 ;-- CL 1915, 10468 ;-- Am. 1929, Act 18, Eff. Aug. 28, 1929 ;-- CL 1929, 10671 ;-- CL 1948, 457.357





457.358 Governing law; amendment of act.

Sec. 8.

     All corporations formed under this act shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 130 of the Compiled Laws of this state, so far as the same may be applicable to corporations formed under this act, and the legislature may alter or amend this act at any time.


History: 1877, Act 17, Imd. Eff. Mar. 1, 1877 ;-- How. 4558 ;-- CL 1897, 8008 ;-- CL 1915, 10469 ;-- CL 1929, 10672 ;-- CL 1948, 457.358
Compiler's Notes: For provisions of chapter 130 of the Compiled Laws of 1871, referred to in this section, see MCL 450.504 to 450.525.





457.359 Uniform Rank Knights of Pythias; incorporation.

Sec. 9.

     Any brigade, regiment or division of the Uniform Rank Knights of Pythias of this state, having been duly warranted, may be incorporated in like manner as grand and subordinate lodges of Knights of Pythias, and enjoy the same powers, privileges and benefits under the provisions of this act.


History: Add. 1895, Act 65, Eff. Aug. 30, 1895 ;-- CL 1897, 8009 ;-- CL 1915, 10470 ;-- CL 1929, 10673 ;-- CL 1948, 457.359



Rendered 8/18/2025 6:42 PM
Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 5 of 2025
Courtesy of legislature.mi.gov