December 2021

HISTORY OF THE GRAND HOLY ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER OF PENNSYLVANIA

History records that Royal Arch Masonry was first mentioned by a secretary of the Ancients, Lawrence Dermott, in 1756 who said at the time "The Royal Arch, I firmly believe to be the root, heart and marrow of Masonry".

History further tells us that the minutes of Royal Arch Lodge No. 3 from December 3rd, 1767 are still in existence and are carefully preserved in the library of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. Harmony Royal Arch Chapter was organized April 28th, 1794, noting the first organized Royal Arch Chapter. It is further noted that a Committee, on November 23rd, 1975 presented to the Grand Lodge a report, attempting to institute a new Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. However, it took from 1795 to 1824 to formulate a constitution to establish the Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter of Pennsylvania.

Just as Freemasons in this Keystone State, declared themselves independent of the Grand Lodge of England in 1786, by forming the present Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, so too, The Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter of Pennsylvania became separate and distinct from Pennsylvania's Grand Lodge ... By virtue of a Resolution in 1824 which officially separated these two great Masonic Bodies, and the Grand Chapter gained its independence, and its Constitution was amended, agreed upon, and adopted.

On May 17th, 1824, the Grand Chapter was opened in "Ancient and solemn form, and the forthwith closed in Harmony, sine die". Immediately following this meeting, eleven companions met for the purpose of organizing themselves into a Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter under, and by virtue of, the Constitution approved of and adopted. They wanted to be relieved of the responsibility of the Grand Lodge so far as its legislature and details of regulations of its inner working was concerned. The able management of these Companions enabled the business of Grand Chapter to be carried on in the most creditable manner for a number of years. They started out by appointing temporary Grand Officers, the first three being mentioned as First, Second and Third Grand Chiefs, who were to hold office until an election be held for Officers by virtue of the said Constitution and they adjourned until Mary 24th when they elected the following Grand Officers, a Grand High Priest, Grand King, Grand Scribe, Grand Treasurer, and a Grand Secretary.

Rules and Regulations for the government of the Grand Chapter were adopted July 16th, 1924, and on October 8th, various forms of Warrants for Chapters, Mark Lodges and Most Excellent Master Mason Lodges were decided upon, and the first Warrant was granted to George Washington Chapter No. 133 at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

At the Annual Communication held December 27th, 1824, on Motion, it was resolved "That it is of upmost importance that a Distinct understanding should exist between the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and the Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter of Pennsylvania" and from this date up to the present day "Peace and Harmony" has prevailed.

York Rite Masonry is based on the Ancient Constitutions which King Athelstan of York, England, is said to have given to the Masons for their government is 929 A.D. and was adopted by the Britons, the Scots and the Irish. At a later date Ancient York Masonry found its way to this country.

In the early 1600's Royal Arch Masonry is mentioned in England. By 1743, it had begun in Scotland and Ireland, and the record shows dates of conferring the Royal Arch Degree in America which go back 241 years ... making this a heritage older on these shores than our Nation's Independence.

By 1798 a resolution of Pennsylvania Grand Lodge, which remains unchallenged to this day, show: "The Degrees of the Ancient Masonry being the Entered Apprentice, the Fellow Craft, the Master Mason ... including the Holy Royal Arch".

The Grand Master of Pennsylvania used to automatically serve as Grand High Priest of Grand Chapter ... only, in that role, He was called the "First Grand Chief", but, with the separation of Grand Chapter form Grand Lodge in 1824, Grand Chapter ran their own affairs and elected all their own Officers, while still working under Grand Lodge sanction.

We have our own Charitable Foundations which we support, Namely the Ronald McDonald Houses located across Pennsylvania, and yet our charity extends further. We also give generously to our Grand Lodge, Masonic Homes and Hospital, the Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation, and other Masonic Charities.

Companions, we have cause for pride. Since 1795, the Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter of Pennsylvania and Masonic Jurisdictions Thereunto Belonging, has been a symbol of the summit of perfection of Ancient Craft Masonry.