Who we are
Our Mission
Our Foundation
Our Mission
The Most Excellent Hiram Holy Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons is to maintain and preserve the ancient traditions, customs, and usages of Holy Royal Arch Masonry, to perpetuate its fundamental principles, to safeguard its York Rite integrity, to set the standards of ritualistic uniformity and unanimity among its members, to strengthen t
The Most Excellent Hiram Holy Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons is to maintain and preserve the ancient traditions, customs, and usages of Holy Royal Arch Masonry, to perpetuate its fundamental principles, to safeguard its York Rite integrity, to set the standards of ritualistic uniformity and unanimity among its members, to strengthen the bond of Royal Arch Fraternity, to share in the identity of our common interest, and to assist the local Chapters in the resolution of common and unique challenges to our arts and practices, do construct and bind ourselves to these standards by which wisdom, justice, and equity compel us for our regulated government, to the honor of our holy purpose, the blessings of Divine Providence, and the glory of The Great I am.
Our History
Our Foundation
Our Mission
In the Year 1847, the Grand Chapter in Pennsylvania granted several warrants for the establishment of Royal Arch Chapters in the State of Maryland. In 1849, a convention was held in Baltimore to organize a Grand Chapter in the State of Maryland.
This Chapter was known as the Union Holy Royal Arch Grand Chapter. Royal Arch was not prospero
In the Year 1847, the Grand Chapter in Pennsylvania granted several warrants for the establishment of Royal Arch Chapters in the State of Maryland. In 1849, a convention was held in Baltimore to organize a Grand Chapter in the State of Maryland.
This Chapter was known as the Union Holy Royal Arch Grand Chapter. Royal Arch was not prosperous south of Pennsylvania before 1865. Only six Chapters existed; three in Baltimore City. Slavery and the War prevented the spread further southward. In 1867, another Grand Chapter was created in Baltimore City, the Morning Star Grand Chapter.
These two Grand Chapters, Morning Star and Union Holy Royal Arch Grand Chapters, met in a joint convention on November 30th, 1873. Companion James T. Westly opened the Most Excellent Hiram Holy Royal Arch Grand Chapter. Since that date, we have Chapters on the Eastern Shore, Western Maryland, North and South, as well as in Baltimore City and Overseas.
We have Chapters in the Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Recently, Chapters were organized in Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. A proud and vital history. Something to be truly proud of.
Originally researched and written by:
R.E. Edwin L. Scott, 33º
Grand Secretary & Editor-in-Chief
1988
Our Foundation
Our Foundation
Our Foundation
Royal Arch is the First step in York Rite Freemasonry, after the Symbolic (a.k.a. Blue Lodge or Ancient Craft Lodge) Freemasonry. Here, within your chapter, you will receive the necessary instruction and information to fill in some of the missing pieces from the Masonic history taught in the symbolic lodge. The degrees of the chapter are
Royal Arch is the First step in York Rite Freemasonry, after the Symbolic (a.k.a. Blue Lodge or Ancient Craft Lodge) Freemasonry. Here, within your chapter, you will receive the necessary instruction and information to fill in some of the missing pieces from the Masonic history taught in the symbolic lodge. The degrees of the chapter are referred to as Capitular Freemasonry, providing a companion the opportunity for further advancement within the brotherhood.opportunities, advocacy, and access to industry-specific resources.