Welcome

Fort Lauderdale York Rite

Keystone Chapter No. 20

Royal Arch Masons meet on the 2nd Monday of every ‘Even’ month at Eureka North Shore Lodge No.269, Dania Beach, Fl.

Lauderdale Council No. 24

Royal & Select Masters meet every 2nd Monday of every “Odd” month at Eureka North Shore Lodge No.269, Dania Beach, Fl.

Melita Commandery No. 35

Knights Templar meet on the 1st Monday of every month at Eureka North Shore Lodge No.269, Dania Beach, Fl.

What is York Rite Masonry?

The York Rite, or more correctly, the American Rite, is based on the early remnants of Craft Masonry that were practiced in the early 1700’s. The formation of the first Grand Lodge of England in 1717 specified that the lodges were to confer only the degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason, all other degrees being considered spurious. However, many lodges had been conferring other degrees that they considered an integral part of Masonry, in particular that of the Royal Arch, and formed their own Grand Lodge in 1751, terming themselves the “Antients” and the other Grand Lodge members the “Moderns.” With the merger of the two Grand Lodges in 1813 into the United Grand Lodge of England, the lodges agreed that only the three accepted degrees of Masonry would be used by the lodges, but the degree of the Royal Arch would be attached to Chapters allied directly to these lodges and bearing the same number as the lodge, though as a separate body. Thus, unlike the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, which claims to hold the power of conferring the first three degrees of Masonry in addition to those under its jurisdiction, those found in the York Rite have rightfully acknowledged the fact that they are considered appendant to those of Ancient Craft Masonry. It is still the practice in English Masonry that a Masonic member is not considered to be in possession of all the degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry until he has been exalted to the Royal Arch.

Early American Lodges operated in a similar manner until the establishment of the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. For a period in US history, the Cryptic degrees were controlled by various state Grand Chapter jurisdictions, until the establishment of the General Grand Council. The Chivalric Orders have been controlled by the Grand Encampment since the early 19th century in the United States. All three bodies are technically autonomous Masonic entities, only the requirement of membership in the Royal Arch connecting the Cryptic degrees and Chivalric Orders together.

Appendant to the York Rite Bodies are several additional Masonic bodies, most of which are invitational in nature. Membership in many of them is predicated on membership in the Royal Arch, though some have memberships predicated on other bodies of the York Rite, or membership in all of the York Rite bodies. Many are found in other jurisdictions outside of the United States, but several are uniquely American in their origin.

We welcome all Masons and Non-Masons to navigate through this website, in order to receive a clearer understanding of what the York Rite degrees are, the lessons that are found within each degree and how their principles can be applied in daily life.

The video below provides a detailed explanation of the York Rite, that we hope you will enjoy.

What are the requirement to join?

Be a Master Mason in good standing.

Have completed your Master Mason proficiency or be a Master Mason for more than 6 months.

Be vouched for by at least 2 active York Rite members to co-sign petition.

What happens next?

If you meet the requirements previously mentioned, we welcome you download, fill-in and submit our petition to join us.

Download petition

Going trough the verdict

Lastly, as with all Masonic bodies, your petition will read at a regularly held stated communication and a vote will determine your eligibility. If the vote is positive, you will be initiated into the York Rite degrees at the next “festival” – which for us is a two day event and usually takes place at the Ft. Pierce Lodge.

The next York Rite Degree Festival is on Saturday Oct. 4th at Fort Pierce Lodge. Starting at 7:30AM