York Rite College

I mentioned yesterday that the Fellowcraft Degree in Des Moines was put on by the York Rite College. What is the College you may wonder? The York Rite College Organization began in 1957 in Jackson, Michigan so it is a relatively new organization. It is based on a story that goes back to the beginnings of Freemasonry and tells the story from the Regius Manuscript, circa 1390 of King Athelstan of England who reigned from 924 to 939.

The York Rite takes its name from the Ancient English city of York, around whose minster, or cathedral, cluster many Masonic traditions. Here , these traditions tell us, Athelstan, who reigned more than a thousand years ago and who was the first king of all England, granted the first charter to the Masonic guilds. As with most Masonic stories the ritual has been written with more regard for telling the moral story that it wishes to teach rather than with a view to accuracy.

There are seven purposes for York Rite Colleges:

(1) To foster a spirit of cooperation an coordination among each of the Bodies of York Rite Masonry.
(2) To assist in worthy efforts to improve the ritualistic and dramatic presentation of York Rite work.
(3) To conduct an education program in order to inculcate a greater appreciation of the principles, ideals and programs of York Rite Masonry.
(4) To strengthen York Rite Masonry in every possible manner.
(5) To build up a love of country and to aid and support genuine Americanism.
(6) To reward outstanding service to York Rite Masonry by awards, honors and other methods of proper recognition.
(7) To support Charitable and Benevolent Endeavors of Freemasonry.

The Colleges give awards in connection with number six above. The highest honor being the Order of the Purple Cross of York which is conferred upon those members of the College who have distinguished themselves by their service to humanity or to the Rite, The recipients are designated Associate Regents of the Sovereign College, and from their ranks are chosen the Regents or active members of that body.

Iowa has two colleges. Iowa York Rite College #37 which was responsible for the degree last evening is the oldest. There is another College which is stationed in Sioux City and is called Lewis And Clark College #199.

The College is headed by a Governor and there is a state officer who represents the York Rite Sovereign College of North America who is called the Grand Governor. The Current Governor is Greg Anderson and the Grand Governor is B. O. Bryngleson. I was Governor of the College in 1996 and received the Order of the Purple Cross in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1998.

The York Rite Sovereign College of North America exists primarily to be of service to the York Rite of Freemasonry. The pre-requisite for membership, which is by invitation only, is good-standing in all four York Rite bodies: Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery. I enjoy the work of the College very much. The College meets twice a year in mid winter and in the Spring.