OUR HISTORY

Bro. John A. Robinson, Sr. organized the Grand Council of Select Masters in 2005, as he has

been very instrumental of the development of the York Rite Bodies in the state of Georgia.

Illustrious Robinson has presided over the Cryptic Degrees for the State from 2005 to 2010.

The Scottish Rite branch of Freemasonry has often been compared to the College of

Freemasonry and it teaches history and theology as it has molded the Order after the time of the

Crusades. The Scottish Rite can be said to have come to France after the demise of the Knights

Templar and that the York Rite Degrees gave birth to much that is in the Scottish Rite. The

Cryptic Degrees is the most recent addition to our York Rite system in Georgia and its

membership is open to Companions in the Royal Arch Chapter and is also a prerequisite before

belonging to the Asylum of the Knights of Templar.

The Grand Council was established on October 29, 2005 in the city of Augusta. The

Cryptic Degrees were brought to Georgia by the Jurisdiction of Florida. Four Councils were

assembled to create our Grand Council: North Georgia Council #1 (Atlanta), Adoniram

Council #2

(Augusta), Emmit L. Johnson Council #3 (Hinesville), and South Georgia Council #4

(Valdosta). The Illustrious H. R. Butler Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters,

Jurisdiction of Georgia Prince Hall Affiliation was formed to complete the Grand York Rite

Bodies in Georgia. The female auxiliary to the Cryptic Degrees is the Ladies of the Circle of

Perfection (LOCOP). The Ladies of the Circle of Perfection was organized as the Lillian E.

Blake Most Royal Grand Court in 2009, and Sis. Patricia A. Watkins was the first Royal

Grand Perfect Matron.

The Royal and Select Master’s degree is a continuation of the Masonic Tradition and it has

three assigned degrees (8-10) that are conferred upon the Royal Arch Masonic petitioner. The

degrees consist of the: Most Excellent Master, Royal Master, Select Master and Super

Excellent Master. It is an extension of the Royal Arch degrees, and the teachings

commemorate the depos- it a significant sacred treasure. The colors of this house are purple

and white. The elected officers for the Grand Council were: The Grand Thrice Illustrious

Master was John A. Robinson, Sr. KYCH, the Deputy Thrice Illustrious Master was Danny

A. West, Sr. the Grand Principle Conductor of the Work was James W. Johnson, the Grand

Treasurer was Ira Moreland, and the Grand Recorder was E. Lawson Brock. Membership into

Councils is only to any Master Mason who belongs to a local Royal Arch Chapter in good standings.