The Commandery was formed at Cochran Lodge, The Plains, under a different name and number (Charter is on the wall at Cochran). It remained at Cochran for many years, into at least the 70’s when it relocated to Hay Market Lodge. It stayed there through at least the late 80s, but then moved to Manasseh Lodge. It stayed there until the move to Ashburn in 2012-2013 where it has remained.

We have had many distinguished members including:

SK S. Flory Diehl, PGM, PGHP, PGC, PGIM, KCT (Deceased)

SK Edward R. Saunders, Jr, PGHP, PGIM, PGC, PDC, KCT (Deceased)

SK Richard B. Baldwin, PGC, PGDC, Past Grand Master of the Grand Encampment, KGCT, Honorary Member (Deceased)

SK John R. Wigglesworth, Jr, PGC, KCT, Honorary Member

SK Edwin R. Carpenter, Jr. PGC, PDC, KCT

SK Paul S. Newhall, PGC, PDC, PGHP, PGIM, KTCH, KCT (Deceased)

SK Charles W. Wagner, PGC, PGHP, PGIM, KCT

SK Michael J. Kastle, PGC, KTCH, KCT

SK Herbert C. Hollander, PGC (Deceased)

SK Douglas L. Jordan, KTCH, KCT, PGHP, PGIM (Deceased)

SK Donald L. McAndrews, KCT, PGHP, PGIM

SK Raymon W. Bacchus, KTCH

We have 27 Past Commanders, 13 of whom have served as District Deputy Grand Commanders. Our members, both honorary and regular, have included 1 Past Grand Master of the Grand Encampment, 5 Past Grand Commanders of Virginia, 3 Past Grand Commanders of DC, 1 Past Grand Commander of Maryland, 4 Past Department Commanders, 1 Past Grand Master of Masons of Maryland, 6 Past Grand High Priests of Virginia, 6 Past Grand Illustrious Masters of DC and Virginia, 1 holder of the Knight Grand Commander of the Temple, 3 Holders of the Knight Templar Cross of Honor and 9 holders of the Knight Commander of the Temple. From the Commandery, several others have served as elected or appointed Grand Officers of the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons and the Grand Commandery of Virginia.

Several of those listed above are previous presiding officers of: The Grand Council, Allied Masonic Degrees of the USA; the Grand Council, Knight Masons of the USA; the York Rite Sovereign College of North America; the Great Priory, Knight York Cross of Honour and the Grand College, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests.

Piedmont Commandery has 2 Honorary members, 105 regular members which includes 3 Exemplar Members, 2 50-year members and 23 25-year members. It also has 2 honorary members.

By Sir Knight James B. Bartley, EPC