Grand College of Rites of the United States of America

Established on May 12, 1932 – The Grand College of Rites is a “regular” Masonic body, dedicated to preserving the history and rituals of defunct and inactive Masonic orders.

Mission

Dedicated to the preservation and study of Masonic, quasi-Masonic, and disused ritual.

Description

In 1931, J. Raymond Shute II, of Monroe, North Carolina, obtained information from Harold V. B. Voorhis, of Red Bank, New Jersey, that the Right Reverend Henry V. A. Parsell of New York, New York, was a surviving member of the defunct Egyptian Rite of Memphis in the United States

Following some correspondence between Brothers Shute and Parsell, and talks with a few other interested brethren, it was decided and agreed to revive this Rite and thus gain control of it, together with its rituals and archives. The purpose of such action was to give a body to be subsequently formed—a Grand College Rites—some material to publish, namely rituals. The idea of forming of a Grand Body to print rituals of dormant Masonic bodies having been already planned by Brother Shute and a few brethren interested in such a project.

Some of the additional bodies which the Grand College of Rites goverens

RITE OF MEMPHIS

THE ROYAL ORIENTAL ORDER OF SIKHA AND OF THE SAT B’HAI

ANCIENT, FREE AND ACCEPTED ARCHITECTS

The Grand College of Rites of the United States of America meets annually at the time and place of the Annual Meeting of the Grand Council of Allied Masonic Degrees of the United States of America.

Any Master Mason holding membership and in good standing in a regular symbolic Lodge recognized by a majority of the Grand Lodges of Freemasonry in the United States may petition for membership in the Grand College of Rites.

The Grand College of Rites of the United States of America meets annually at the time and place of the Annual Meeting of the Grand Council of Allied Masonic Degrees of the United States of America.

Additional Information

Grand College of Rites of the United States of America

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