York Rite Bodies
The York Rite is one of several Rites of Freemasonry affiliated with masonry. A Rite is a series of progressive degrees that are conferred by various Masonic organizations or bodies, each of which operates under the control of its own central authority. The York Rite specifically is a collection of separate Masonic Bodies and associated Degrees that would otherwise operate independently. The three primary bodies in the York Rite are the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, Council of Royal & Select Masters or Council of Cryptic Masons, and the Commandery of Knights Templar, each of which is governed independently but are all considered to be a part of the York Rite. There are also other organizations that are directly associated with the York Rite or require York Rite membership to join such as the York Rite Sovereign College but in general, the York Rite is made up of the three bodies above. The Rite's name is derived from the city of York, where, according to one Masonic legend, the first meetings of Masons in England took place. The York Rite is one of the appendant bodies of Freemasonry that a Master Mason may join to further his knowledge of Freemasonry. But the York Rite is not found as a single system worldwide, and outside of the United States, there are often significant differences in ritual, as well as organization. However, in most cases, provided that the Grand Body in question regards the parent "Craft" jurisdiction as regular, each distinct Order has recognized fraternal inter-relations with the respective Grand Body within the York system.
What is York Rite Masonry?
By S.K. Charles “Chic” Cicero, EGG, KTCH
The Sublime Degree of Master Mason is often thought of as the ultimate degree of Freemasonry. However, many Masonic scholars agree that the narrative of the Craft, as illustrated in the three degrees, is not the whole story. The Degrees of York Rite Masonry complete the story and provide answers to many questions that the newly raised Master Mason may have. The York Rite is one of the appendant bodies of Freemasonry. York Rite Masonry, which takes its name from the old English city of York, dates back 1744 in the UK has been described as the oldest and purest of the Rites. Like other forms of Masonry, the York Rite is not a religion. Nevertheless, it does develop Biblical themes in addition to themes based on the Medieval Crusades. In the York Rite, a Master Mason may become a member of three bodies–actually a group of separate Rites joined in order. These include a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons; a Council of Royal and Select Masters; a Commandery of Knights Templar. (Each body has its own application process allowing a new Royal Arch Member to decide when and how many bodies he would like to join.)
Chapter of Royal Arch Masons
Grand Rapids Chapter No. 7 Royal Arch Masons is the premiere Masonic organization located in the Grand Rapids Masonic Center. Building upon the tenants of brotherly love, relief and truth, the Royal Arch Masons have a duty and responsibility to diffuse light and information to all uninformed brothers. Through leadership, discipline, and mental fortitude, Royal Arch Masons are the very definition of what a Mason should always aspire to.
Grand Rapids Chapter No. 7 R.A.M. was organized March 19, 1850. First officers: M. E. H. P., Samuel L. Bigelow; King, Joshua Boyer; Scribe, Amos Roberts; Treasurer, Truman H. Lyon; Secretary, F. D., A. Foster; C. H., James P. Scott; P. S. and Tiler, Harry Dean. The officers for 1906 were as follows: M. E. H. P., Fred H. Hosford; King, Wm. E. Clark; Scribe, Charles S. Reeves; Treasurer, Thomas S. Freeman; Secretary, George W. Peacock; C. H., N. A. Fox; P. S., Frank E. Spraker; R. A. C., John Ogden; M. 3rd., Clarence E. Hosford; M. 2d. V., Charles S. Davies; M. 1st. V., John Hardiman.
Columbia Chapter No. 132, Royal Arch Masons was organized in 1893. Its first Excellent High Priest was Harvey C. Taft. Its officers for 1906 were as follows: E. H. P., W. A. Stowe; King, Stanley N. Allen; Scribe, Henry N. Stone; Treasurer, Charles S. Coburn; Secretary, Adam S. Mitchell; C. of H., Claude L. Chambers; P. S., William A. Brown; R. A. C., John G. Gronberg; M. 3rd. V., David L. Keeler; M. 2d. V., John W. Powers; M. 1st. V., Oscar C. Garrett; S. S., William S. Rowe; J. S., John H. Goss; Sentinel, Eli A. Kahler; Organist, John Hardiman; Finance Committee, George E. Luther, Kirk E. Wicks. Columbia Chapter No. 132 merged into Grand Rapids Chapter No. 7 on July 27, 1967.
Past Grand High Priests of Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Michigan from Grand Rapids Chapter No. 7
Year Name Chapter
2010 Robert Cooper 7
2013 James Kiefer 7
2024 Thomas Black 7
The Royal Arch Research Assistance (RARA) is the primary charity associated with the Royal Arch Masons. RARA helps children with auditory disabilities through research and the most up to date medical procedures helping children live more productive and fruitful lives.
For additional and amplifying information regarding Royal Arch Masons of Michigan or the Royal Arch Research Assistance, visit:
Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Michigan
Royal Arch Research Assistance
Commandery of Knights Templar
DeMolai Commandery, No. 5, K. T. The Knights Templar is a fraternal order affiliated with freemasonry and is the final order joined in the York Rite. A local Knights Templar division is called a Commandery and operates under a state level Grand Commandery as well as The Grand Encampment of the United States of America. DeMolai Commandery No. 5 of Grand Rapids Michigan was organized on July 23, 1856, under dispensation granted by the General Grand Encampment of U.S.A. on May 13, 1856. The Bylaws were adopted August 29, 1856. DeMolai Commandery was Chartered on September 10, 1856, by the General Grand Encampment of the U.S.A.
Organized at Grand Rapids, July 23, 1856. First officers: Em. Com., David S. Leavitt; S. W., James W. Sligh; J. W., Wm. K. Wheeler; Treasurer, James W. Sligh; Recorder, John McConnell. The official roster for 1905-06 was as follows: Eminent Commander, Sir W. H. Booth; Generalissimo, Sir Chas. L. Fitch; Captain General, Em. Sir Jas. G. Robinson; Senior Warden, Sir Mark Norris; Junior Warden, Sir Geo. J. Calkins; Prelate, t. Em. Sir Chas. P. Bigelow; Treasurer, Sir Geo. G. Steketee; Recorder, Sir H. C. Taft; Standard Bearer, Sir L. J. Katz; Sword Bearer, Sir W. J. Clark; Warder, Sir H. G. Robertson; Captain Guard, Sir D. Egery; Organist, Sir P. K. Miller, Adjutant, Sir F. E. Spraker; Quartermaster, Sir E. J. Herrick; Surgeon, Sir J. W. Riecke; Bugler, Sir F. Wurzburg. The Past Commanders are as follows: Rt. Em. Sir R. D. Swartout, 1889; Em. Sir J. E. Herkner, 1890-91-92; Em. Sir J. D. Utley, 1894; Em. Sir C. M. Heald, 1895-96; Em. Sir F. M. Briggs, 1898; Em. Sir H. K. Dean, 1899; Em. Sir C. E. Fink, 1900; Em. Sir J. Rowson, 1902 Em. Sir J. H. P. Hughart, 1902; Em. Sir J. G. Robinson, 1903; Em. Sir W. M. Adams, 1904.
The following members of DeMolai Commanders are Past Grand Commanders of Knights Templar for State of Michigan, and Mark Norris was the Grand Master for the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar 1937-1940 https://usagekt.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/MNorris.pdf
William P. Innes 1860
Luman R. Atwater 1863
Edward D. Benedict 1867
Leonard H. Randall 1874
Herman N. Moore 1884
Richard D. Swartout 1904
Mark Norris 1917
Bruce Moore 1924
Fred H. Locke 1937
Howard D. Caulkin 1953
Robert B. Mackey 1965
The head of the local Commandry is called the (Eminent) Commander, followed in rank is the Generalissimo, Captain General, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, and everyone has the title of Sir Knight. The Commandry supports different charities which includes the Eye Foundation, Holy Land Pilgrimage, and the Educational Foundation. Today the Sir Knights hold their meetings the second Friday of the months of September to June at 7:30 PM in the 5th Floor Amphitheater and the York Rite office is located next to the Amphitheater. During the year they participate in honor guards at funerals, lodge installations, and flag ceremonies at public events and parades.
Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Michigan
Grand Encampment of Knights Templar U.S.A.
From Fraternal Films
1926 Knights Templar State Conclave, Kalamazoo, Michigan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYjw4LhBNuc
This film contains footage of the parade and drill exhibition from the 1926 State Conclave of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Michigan held in Kalamazoo, MI on June 1, 1926. The film includes footage of the parade with an example of the "Passion Cross" parade formation. Based on the citation below, the Passion Cross is likely composed of Sir Knights from Detroit Commandery No.1, KT. From "A Century of Templar Service: The Story of Detroit Commandery No. 1, Knight Templar, Detroit, Michigan, 1851-1951": "The Annual State Conclave of the Grand Commandery on June 1, 1926, was held at Kalamazoo. This was to the day, exactly sixty-eight years after, when this newly organized, Grand Commandery of Michigan, granted a charter to Detroit Commandery on June 1, 1858.... The drill corps was again honored, as at Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Tiffin, Ohio, by an invitation to lead the parade in the Passion Cross Formation. Eminent Sir Whitehead (John L. Whitehead), Commander, and Captain General Charles B. Van Dusen, were in charge of the sixteen platoons. Dinner was followed by a well-executed exhibition drill, scheduled as the fifth event, so as to allow the spectators to reach the stadium. This was the eighty-eighth Pilgrimage of the Commandery." Specifically cited is footage of Right Eminent Sir Albert L. Smith of Howell who was serving as Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Michigan. Kalamazoo businesses that are visible based on street signage: Sam Folz Co, Hub Cafe and Why Shoe Works. The Mass marching formation of Sir Knights starting at 1:39 is most impressive. The original scan of this film was done at 6.5K taken from a 16mm film reel on July 21, 2021. The scan was subsequently color-corrected and had dust/scratch removal performed using Filmworkz DVO software.
1927 Knights Templar State Conclave, Lansing, Michigan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfgmFA5Ajck
This film contains footage of the parade from the 1927 State Conclave of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Michigan held in Lansing, MI on June 7-8-9, 1927. The parade footage shows an enormous Passion Cross formation. From "A Century of Templar Service: The Story of Detroit Commandery No. 1, Knight Templar, Detroit, Michigan 1851-1951" : "A great ovation was accorded the Commandery in the parade and the sixteen platoon exhibition drill given at the request of an in compliment to the Grand Commandery of Michigan, and its notable guests. With the Grand Commandery of Michigan, Right Eminent Sir W.E. Davidson and his staff on the reviewing stand, were Right Eminent Sir W.A.H. Eckhardt of Montreal, Canada, Grand Chancellor of the Great Priory of Cananda; Right Eminent Sir Harry C. Walker, Grand Captain General, and the persona representative of the Grand Master of the Grand Encampment, K.T., of the U.S.A; also visiting members of several of the other Grand Commanderies." The original scan of this film was done at 6.5K taken from a 16mm film reel on July 21, 2021. The scan was subsequently color-corrected and had dust/scratch removal performed using Filmworkz DVO software.
