Holy Royal Arch Masons
The Royal Arch Chapter is the second of the four York Rite Bodies of Masonry (the first is the Symbolic Lodge, where the first three Degrees of Masonry are conferred.) Chapters confer four degrees: Mark Master, Virtual Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch. Royal Arch Freemasonry provides an outstanding opportunity for Master Masons desirous of Further Light in Masonry to explore some of the deeper mysteries of the Craft. The four degrees of the Chapter are truly some of the most profound and impressive within the whole Family of Freemasonry. Most impressive of all is the Royal Arch Degree itself. It is here that the True Word of a Master Mason is rediscovered in a beautiful ceremony that takes the candidates through the destruction of King Solomon's Temple, the seventy years of the Babylonian Captivity, and the ultimate return to the Holy Land to help, aid, and assist in the rebuilding of the Temple of the Most High.
|
Hadji Harper, DDGHP |
The Order of the Priesthood
The order appertains to the office of High Priest of a Royal Arch Chapter; and no one can be legally entitled to receive it, until he has been duly elected to preside as High Priest in a regular Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. It is the duty of every companion as soon after his election to the office of High Priest as is consistent with his personal convenience, to apply for admission to the order of High Priesthood, that he may be fully qualified properly to govern his Chapter.
The Holy Royal Arch
The Chapter of Royal Arch Masonry consists of four degrees:
Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch Mason.
THE MARK MASTER DEGREE
The Mark Master Degree is believed to have originated as a ceremony of registering a craftsman's mark in those years distinguished by operative craft masons and their temple building. It was later developed into a full-fledged degree by the Masonic fraternity as we know it today, Some scholars say it was the earliest degree and may predate all others by many years. It is highly regarded by students in all Masonry, teaching lessons that have proven of value in all walks of life. Some Grand Lodges place so high an eminence on the Mark Master Degree, that they confine it to the jurisdiction of a separate grand body, the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters.
THE PAST MASTERS DEGREE
The Past Master Degree came into being because originally the degree of Royal Arch was conferred by the Symbolic (Blue) Lodge only on actual Past Masters. This degree was instituted to make it possible for all worthy Brethren to receive the Royal Arch degree. The first record of its conferral is found in 1768 in England.
THE MOST EXCELLENT MASTER DEGREE
The Most Excellent Master Degree is a product of American innovation. It was conferred in a Royal Arch Chapter as early as 1783 in Middletown, Conn. It is by far the most spectacular degree in all Freemasonry. It is the only degree that brings forcibly to our attention the completion and dedication of King Solomon's Temple. The very idea upon which all Masonic symbolism has been based.
THE ROYAL ARCH DEGREE
The Royal Arch Degree is the climax of Ancient Craft Masonry and Masonic Symbolism. It is described as "the root and marrow of Freemasonry." It is the complete story of Jewish History during some of its darkest hours. Jerusalem and the Holy temple are destroyed, The people are being held captive as slaves in Babylon. Here you will join with some slaves as they are set free to return home and engage in the noble and glorious work of rebuilding the city and the Temple of God. It is during this rebuilding that they make a discovery that brings to light the greatest treasure of a Mason --the long lost Master's Word.
Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch Mason.
THE MARK MASTER DEGREE
The Mark Master Degree is believed to have originated as a ceremony of registering a craftsman's mark in those years distinguished by operative craft masons and their temple building. It was later developed into a full-fledged degree by the Masonic fraternity as we know it today, Some scholars say it was the earliest degree and may predate all others by many years. It is highly regarded by students in all Masonry, teaching lessons that have proven of value in all walks of life. Some Grand Lodges place so high an eminence on the Mark Master Degree, that they confine it to the jurisdiction of a separate grand body, the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters.
THE PAST MASTERS DEGREE
The Past Master Degree came into being because originally the degree of Royal Arch was conferred by the Symbolic (Blue) Lodge only on actual Past Masters. This degree was instituted to make it possible for all worthy Brethren to receive the Royal Arch degree. The first record of its conferral is found in 1768 in England.
THE MOST EXCELLENT MASTER DEGREE
The Most Excellent Master Degree is a product of American innovation. It was conferred in a Royal Arch Chapter as early as 1783 in Middletown, Conn. It is by far the most spectacular degree in all Freemasonry. It is the only degree that brings forcibly to our attention the completion and dedication of King Solomon's Temple. The very idea upon which all Masonic symbolism has been based.
THE ROYAL ARCH DEGREE
The Royal Arch Degree is the climax of Ancient Craft Masonry and Masonic Symbolism. It is described as "the root and marrow of Freemasonry." It is the complete story of Jewish History during some of its darkest hours. Jerusalem and the Holy temple are destroyed, The people are being held captive as slaves in Babylon. Here you will join with some slaves as they are set free to return home and engage in the noble and glorious work of rebuilding the city and the Temple of God. It is during this rebuilding that they make a discovery that brings to light the greatest treasure of a Mason --the long lost Master's Word.
Christopher C. Mack #56
Zion St
Belton, SC
Meets: 1st Tuesday at 7:30pm
Belton, SC
Meets: 1st Tuesday at 7:30pm
From the original charter year of our chapter, Christopher C. Mack has had a long line of dedicated leadership. Through the years these great men have led our companions year by year in the working of Royal Arch Masonry. Many of them have become Grand Chapter officers and continue to not only lead our community but the state of South Carolina as well.
Mark Well #67
Greenwood, SC
Meets: 1st Tuesdays at 7:30pm
Mark Well is a newly formed chapter in our area. Its charter members collectively organized from the rich heritage of Christopher C. Mack #56. At this time , Mark Well #67 serves the Greenwood and Abbeville areas respectively.
Greenville Signet #55
211 Staunton Bridge Rd.
Greenville, SC
Meets: 2nd Saturday at 10:00am
Greenville, SC
Meets: 2nd Saturday at 10:00am
Haggai #58
|
Foster-Oglesby #61
|
Laurens County #62 |
154 Abel Rd.
Clemson, SC Meets: 3rd Tuesday at 7:30pm |
661 Monks Grove Church Rd
Spartanburg, SC Meets: 4th Saturday at 1:00pm |
161 Simmons Rd.
Gray Court, SC Meets: 2nd Tuesday at 7:30 |
Our Companions
Fred Allen
Tommy Allen Dewayne Anderson William Auls Tony Ballenger Doug Beaty Jr. James Bell III Tony Boggs Russell Booker Lance Brice Eric Brown Darrell Bryson Tony Clark Jimmy Clinkscales Vance Clinkscales Chad Cornick Shawn Copeland Melvin Cowan Rev. Kirby Cozart James Crooks Leroy Cruel Amos Cunningham Henry Dawkins James Donald Jason Donald |
Daryll Durham
Harry Edwards, Sr. Demetrius Evans Regan Fair Rev. Allen Freeman Silas Foster Andrew Gibson Hadji Harper Keo Harper Arthur Harris Willie Hatten Kelvin Hewins, Sr. Ricky Hill Clifton Holloway Horace Holloway Ron Holloway Robert Humphrey Miquan Hunt Calvin Johnson Michael Keith Derrick Knuckles Marcus Lee William Lomax Jose Lopez Sherman Lott |
Ronald Martin
Lawrence Mattison James McBride Willoughby Mercer Chris Mosley Wandell Myers Reginald Neal Eric Puckett Kevin Reeder Sam O. Robinson Bryant Sanders David Smith Russell Smith Tim Stevens Sam Tate Sr. Carlos Taylor Rory Walker Marvin Watson Quincy Whitner Charles Williams Ernest Williams Fredrick Williams Jamaal Williams Glenn Wimmes Corey Workman David V. Wright |
Zerubbabel Day Celebration
Each year across the state, Royal Arch Masons hold a celebration in remembrance of Zerubbabel. All Royal Arch Chapters are "erected to God and dedicated to Zerubbabel". There is little known about him but we do know is that he appears in the bible 25 times. Zerubbabel is found in the canonical books of Zechariah, Haggai, Ezra and Nehemiah. He was the ninth direct generation descendant of King David and in the bloodline of Jesus. From the scripture we acknowledge him as the beginning of the second temple..
Ezra 3:8
"Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD..."
Ezra 3:8
"Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD..."