Michigan Compiled Laws, Chapter 457. Fraternal Associations § 457.436

Sec. 6. Any 9 or more persons, residents of this state, being members of any subordinate council, having been duly chartered by the grand council 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,  1 and file a copy of such articles with the clerk of the county in which such corporation shall be formed, which shall be recorded by such clerk in a book to be kept in his office for that purpose; 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, 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 county where the record is kept, shall be received as prima facie evidence in all courts in this state of the existence and due incorporation of such corporation: Provided, That the value of such real [and personal] estate shall not exceed the sum of 1,000 dollars, and that 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 Royal Arcanum.