The organization was founded in 1873. Membership is limited to Masons, their spouses, and female relatives. It was originally intended to be an additional degree of the Order of the Eastern Star, but was rejected by that organization. It was then set up as a separate organization. Until 1921, members had to be affiliated with the Order of the Eastern Star. The presiding body is a Court, and the presiding female and male officers are a Royal Matron and Royal Patron.

The Capitular Degrees are a set of four degrees controlled by the Royal Arch Chapter. The degree of Past Master is the vestigial remnant of the former custom that the degree of the Royal Arch could only be conferred on a Past Master of a Symbolic Blue Lodge. High Priest - LeRoy R.

Ntegrity, Obedience, Courage. The Knights Templar is a Christian-oriented fraternal organization that was founded in the 11th century. Originally, the Knights Templar were laymen who protected and defended Christians travelling to Jerusalem. These men took vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and were renowned for their fierceness and courage in battle. Three Levels of the Knights Templar. To petition a Commandery of Knights Templar.

The Cryptic Degrees of the York Rite. The Cryptic Degrees are a set of three degrees controlled by the Select Masters Council. The degrees get their name from the reference to a hidden or secret vault in the degrees, hence the term Cryptic. In England, the degree of Most Excellent Master is grouped with this body. In the United States, all b.