The York Rite is a collection of Masonic appendant bodies which a Mason may join after he becomes a Master Mason. The three main bodies in the York Rite are Royal Arch Masonry, Cryptic Masonry, and the Knights Templar. Each body confers its own degrees with its own lessons and traditions, but they all build off the foundation of the three degrees of Freemasonry. It is common for Masons to join two or three of the York Rite bodies at the same time.
To join the York Rite, speak to a York Rite Mason at your lodge. If you are not yet a Mason, you can learn about becoming a Mason here.
To join the York Rite, speak to a York Rite Mason at your lodge. If you are not yet a Mason, you can learn about becoming a Mason here.
Chapter of Royal Arch Masonry
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Royal Arch Masonry continues the stories from the Blue Lodge through the completion, dedication, destruction, and rebuilding of King Solomon's Temple. In these degrees, Masons register their craftsman's mark, dedicate the temple, and recover in the rebuilding of the temple that which was lost. The Royal Arch degrees complete the lessons of the three degrees of Freemasonry.
The Chapter of Royal Arch Masonry confers the following degrees:
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Council of Royal And Select masters - Cryptic Masonry
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Cryptic Masonry also follows the stories in the Blue Lodge; however, these degrees take place earlier in the timeline during the construction of King Solomon's Temple. These degrees deal with the preservation of knowledge in the hidden crypts beneath the temple. Cryptic Masonry further explains and complements Royal Arch Masonry. Candidates must be Royal Arch Masons to take the degrees of Cryptic Masonry.
The Council of Royal and Select Masters confers the following degrees:
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Commandery - Knights Templar
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The Knights Templar is the final body in the York Rite. It is a chivalric order based on the history and legends of the medieval Knights Templar. The orders (the term used for degrees) of the Knights Templar are distinctly different than the degrees of the preceding bodies, as they inculcate the legends of medieval knights instead of ancient stonemasons. Members--referred to as Sir Knights--wear uniforms and use swords in the Commandery as they emulate the medieval Knights Templar and the tenets of chivalry. Candidates must be members of Royal Arch Masonry and Cryptic Masonry to take the orders of the Knights Templar.
The Commandery of Knights Templar is a Christian Masonic organization that requires a belief in Christianity. It is not uncommon for Masons to join the Chapter and Council without joining the Commandery. The Commandery of Knights Templar confers the following orders:
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The York Rite at Park Avenue
The York Rite began at Park Avenue in 1922 when dispensation was granted to Park Avenue Chapter No. 204 of Royal Arch Masons. That was the same year that the Park Avenue Masonic Temple doubled in size with the addition of the northern half, including what is now the York Rite room (it originally was primarily used for the Order of Eastern Star, which no longer meets at Park Avenue). Park Avenue Chapter was officially chartered on January 30, 1923 Anno Domini / 2453 Anno Inventionis. Park Avenue Chapter has produced two Most Excellent Grand High Priests of the Grand Chapter of Tennessee: B. Tate Dawkins, Sr. (1936) and David C. Swaim, Sr. (2016).
The York Rite Masons of Park Avenue received dispensation to form a Commandery in 1925, and Park Avenue Commandery No. 31 of Knights Templar was officially chartered on June 2, 1926 Anno Domini / 808 Anno Ordinis. At that time, the Council degrees were not a prerequisite to joining the Commandery, and so Park Avenue only had a Chapter and a Commandery. Park Avenue Commandery has produced three Right Eminent Grand Commanders of the Grand Commandery of Tennessee: Lewie R. Polk (1945), B. Tate Dawkins, Jr. (1968), and Donald M. Smith (1993).
The final York Rite body, the Council, began operating under dispensation in 1946, and Park Avenue Council No. 108 of Royal and Select Masters received its official charter on January 27, 1947 Anno Domini / 2457 Anno Depositionis. Park Avenue Council has produced four Most Illustrious Grand Masters of the Grand Council of Tennessee: B. Tate Dawkins, Sr. (1953), Joseph C. Mobley (1961), David H. Vaughn (1973), and Leonard Bruce "Chip" Paslay, Jr. (2015).
The York Rite Masons of Park Avenue received dispensation to form a Commandery in 1925, and Park Avenue Commandery No. 31 of Knights Templar was officially chartered on June 2, 1926 Anno Domini / 808 Anno Ordinis. At that time, the Council degrees were not a prerequisite to joining the Commandery, and so Park Avenue only had a Chapter and a Commandery. Park Avenue Commandery has produced three Right Eminent Grand Commanders of the Grand Commandery of Tennessee: Lewie R. Polk (1945), B. Tate Dawkins, Jr. (1968), and Donald M. Smith (1993).
The final York Rite body, the Council, began operating under dispensation in 1946, and Park Avenue Council No. 108 of Royal and Select Masters received its official charter on January 27, 1947 Anno Domini / 2457 Anno Depositionis. Park Avenue Council has produced four Most Illustrious Grand Masters of the Grand Council of Tennessee: B. Tate Dawkins, Sr. (1953), Joseph C. Mobley (1961), David H. Vaughn (1973), and Leonard Bruce "Chip" Paslay, Jr. (2015).
appendant to the YORK RITE bodies
Appendant to the York Rite Bodies are several additional Masonic bodies, most of which are invitational in nature. Membership in many of them is predicated on membership in the Royal Arch, though some have memberships predicated on other bodies of the York Rite, or membership in all of the York Rite bodies. Many are found in other jurisdictions outside of the United States, but several are uniquely American in their origin. More information can be found here.
Other Appendant Bodies
Other Masonic appendant bodies in the Memphis area, not affiliated with the York Rite, include:
