Clinch Valley Commandery No. 20

Clinch Valley Commandery No. 20 Chartered October 13, 1892 This is a brief historical overview of Clinch Valley Commandery No. 20 from the Commandery’sProceedings Book; October 13, 1892 – September 21, 2022, Tazewell, Virginia In 1891, Dr. James O’Keeffe and ten other Sir Knights asked for and received a dispensation for the establishment of a Commandery. It was granted by the then Grand Commander James Avis. This was followed by the issue of a charter which was signed by Grand Commander Right Eminent Fred Greenwood; It was his first official act as Grand Commander. Clinch Valley Commandery was made official on October 13, 1892. Sir Knight W. P. Francis, Eminent Commander of Lynn Commandery No. 9 from Marion, Virginia, served as proxy for the Grand Commander to constitute, elect, and install the officers. Sir Knight James O’Keeffe was installed as Commander and Sir Knight Hugh W. O’Keeffe was installed as Recorder. Sir Knights Ralph Leard and John W. Spotts are the first two Sir Knights suspended for nonpayment of dues in 1893. The first dispensation was requested and granted on October 21, 1895, allowing the Sir Knights to parade in public and act as escort for Tazewell Lodge No.62 at the unveiling of a monument to a Brother Mason. Sir Knight James O’Keeffe, Past Commander, was the first Companion from Clinch Valley Commandery No. 20 appointed to the Grand Line as Grand Warder in 1899; he was also appointed Grand Inspector. Sir Knight Dr. James O’Keeffe suddenly died in the performance of duty while in Pulaski, Virginia, in 1903; he was serving as Grand Senior Warden. In 1901, Sir Knight President William McKinley was assassinated, enclosed is a copy of the letter received marking that occasion. Right Eminent Grand Commander B. F. Buchanan from Lynn Commandery No. 9 was the first Honorary Member of Clinch Valley Commandery No. 20. On July 22, 1903, Clinch Valley Commandery No. 20 received notice that the beloved Sir Knight James O’Keeffe, Eminent Grand Senior Warden, laid his tools aside in Pulaski, Virginia, on July 24. With the assistance of Right Eminent James R. Banks, Grand Recorder, the following memorial was issued: GRAND COMMANDERY KNIGHTS TEMPLAR OF VIRGINIAIN MEMORIALDR. JAMES O’KEEFFEEMINENT GRAND SENIOR WARDEN OF THE GRAND COMMANDERY OF VIRGINIA,DIED AT PULASKI, VA, JULY 24, 1903.OFFICE OF GRAND COMMANDERRINER, VA, AUGUST 31, A.D.1903, A.O. 785. TO THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR OF VIRGINIA AND SISTER GRAND JURISDICTIONS: WITH SINCERE SORROW I ANNOUNCE TO YOU THAT THE GRIM MESSENGER HAS AGAIN TAKEN FROM OUR OFFICIAL RANKS ONE OF OUR MOST EARNEST, FAITHFUL AND ZEALOUS SIR KNIGHTS. E. SIR JAMES O’KEEFFE GRAND SENIOR WARDEN OF THE GRAND COMMANDERY OF VIRGINIA. SUDDENLY AT PULASKI, VIRGINIA. ON JULY 24, 1903, WHILE ENGAGED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF MASONIC DUTIES, OUR BELOVED FRATER OBEYED THE SUMMONS CEASED HIS LABORS ON EARTH. HIS BODY WAS CONVEYED BY LOVING FRATERS TO HIS HOME AT TAZEWELL, VA WHERE ON SUNDAY MORNING JULY 26TH, ALL THAT WAS MORTAL OF OUR FORMER FRIEND WAS LAID TO REST IN THE SILENT GRAVE. HE WAS CREATED A KNIGHT OF THE ILLUSTRIOUS ORDER OF RED CROSS AND DUBBED A KNIGHT OF THE VALIANT AND MAGNANIMOUS ORDER OF KNIGHTS TEMPLAR AND KNIGHT OF MALTA. AT THE FORMATION OF CLINCH VALLEY COMMANDERY, NO. 20, AT TAZEWELL, FEBRUARY 29, 1892, HE WAS APPOINTED ITS FIRST EMINENT COMMANDER, WHICH POSITION HE HELD BY CONTINUOUS RE-ELECTION UNTIL THE DAY OF HIS DEATH. HE ENTERED THE COMMANDERY OF VIRGINIA AT ITS SEVENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL CONCLAVE IN 1898. HE WAS APPOINTED ITS GRAND SWORD BEARER IN 1899, GRAND STANDARD BEARER IN 1900, GRAND JUNIOR WARDEN IN 1901, GRAND SENIOR WARDEN IN 1902, WHICH POSITION HE HELD AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH. SIR KNIGHT O’KEEFFE WAS BORN IN BOSTON, MASS AUGUST 26, 1843, AS A CHILD HIS PARENTS MOVED TO ALEXANDRIA, VA, WHERE HE GREW TO YOUNG MANHOOD AND THOUGH NOT “TO THE MANOR BORN,” YET AS TRUE A VIRGINIAN IN SPIRIT “AS EVER CHALLENGED A FOE ON TENTED FIELD.” AT THE CLOSE OF THE WAR, HE MOVED TO PEARISBURG AND PRACTICE HIS HONORABLE PROFESSION AS PHYSICIAN. FOR THE PAST TWENTY YEARS HIS HOME WAS IN TAZEWELL, VA, WHERE A HOST OF FRIENDS UNITE WITH HIS FAMILY AND FRATER IN LAMENTING HIS UNTIMELY DEATH. AS A TOKEN OF RESPECT TO THE MEMORY OF OUR DECREASED FRATER IT IS HEREBY ORDERED: THAT THIS MEMORIAL BE READ AT THE HEAD OF THE LINES OF EACH COMMANDERY IN THIS JURISDICTION AT THE FIRST STATED CONCLAVE AFTER ITS RECEIPT AND ENTERED UPON ITS RECORDS; AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR DEPARTED SIR KNIGHT, DRAPE YOUR BANNERS IN MOURNING FOR THE SPACE OF THIRTY DAYS. JAMES T. LESUEURGRAND COMMANDER 1914 – Result of a reorganize of Grand Commandery of Virginia, all Commanderies in the Southwest Virginia Region were placed into District No.3: Lynn Commandery No. 9, Bayard Commandery No. 15, Clinch Valley Commandery No. 20, Cyrene Commandery No.21, and Graham Commandery No. 22. The first Inspector was Sir Knight James E. King of Dominion Commandery No. 11. The Grand Commander appointed the Inspectors, who were paid $5.00 with expenses over thatamount were paid by the Commanderies based on membership. Inspectors arranged all inspections and reported directed t0 the Grand Commander. 1917 – Grand Bodies contributed to the War Relief Fund; Grand Commandery donated $155.00. 1917 – Clinch Valley Commandery No. 20 celebrated its 25TH Year. 1918 – The Grand Commandery of Virginia divided the State into six Districts and Clinch ValleyCommandery No. 20 was assigned to 7. 1924 – The Grand Commandery of Virginia passed a resolution that the Treasurer and Recorder cannot be held by the same person. 1929 – The Wooding Trophy was established to stimulate and encourage Commanderies to a greater zeal and to improve proficiency. This is a rotating trophy awarded annually at the Grand Conclave to the Commandery scoring the highest number of points during the year just concluded. 1930 – The Chivalric District No. 7 was formed hosting Clinch Valley Commandery No. 20, Graham Commandery No. 22,

Stevenson Commandery No. 8

Stevenson Commandery No. 8 Chartered December 16, 1869 Undoubtedly one of greatest events in the Masonic career of Levi L. Stevenson was for his associates to petition the Grand Commandery of Virginia for a dispensation to establish a Commandery in Staunton. The Charter for Stevenson Commandery No. 8 was dated December 16, 1869. The original petitioners were the following outstanding Masons of Staunton: L. L. Stevenson, William A. Burke, Samuel Kennerly, Jr. J. M. Bell, W. L. Lushbaugh, P. H. Trout, Samuel B. Brown, William H. H. Lynn, and G. G. Gooch. Levi Lamb Stevenson had been instrumental in the reorganization of the Grand Encampment of Virginia in 1845, and he was named Grand Junior Warden and Grand Lecturer at that time. Of all the distinguished members of the Craft in the history of Virginia Masonry, Levi L. Stevenson easily ranks among the first dozen men, who rendered the most outstanding service to the fraternity in the Old Dominion. Stevenson Commandery did considerable work in these early years, thus increasing its membership materially. The Commandery immediately became a sort of “institution” in Staunton just as were the Lodge and Chapter before it. The fact that the memories of the War Between the States were still very much alive made the semi-military character of the Knights Templar appeal to the people of the community. Thus, the Commandery received frequent invitations to appear in full uniform on public occasions, even those which were not strictly Masonic. The Commandery received invitations from Richmond, Baltimore, Charlottesville, and Winchester, but because of the distance, only a small group could attend. Membership came from Staunton, Waynesboro, Lexington, and Harrisonburg. When the question of establishing a Commandery in Harrisonburg was brought up in 1877, Stevenson Commandery agreed to confer the orders on a number of Harrisonburg candidates and to donate a sum of $10 from the fee of each Knight thus dubbed to the treasury of the new Commandery. On June 4, 1886, William B. McChesney was elected a member of the Stevenson Commandery. He was one of the few men in Virginia Masonic history to serve as head of all the Virginia grand bodies. Other Grand Commanders from Stevenson Commandery are, William H. H. Lynn (1886-87), William B. McChesney (1910-11), Richard H. Bell Jr (1926-27), James H. Price (1931-32), Walter M. McCracken (1970-71), and James A Fields Jr, (2004-05). Today Stevenson Commandery No. 8 is still highly active in the community. York Rite Masonry is alive and well in Augusta County and our 5th Chivalric District. The Sir Knights are willing to travel through the District, and State to promote the Knights Templar, and assist in putting on the Orders to create new Knights. Throughout our Masonic Districts we are promoting the Chapter and Commandery. Recent Distinguished MembersSK Robert Rhandle Kennedy, Jr., Grand Master of Masons in Virginia in 1978SK Baldwin Gerard Locher Jr. (dual membership), Grand Commander in 2000SK James Arthur Fields, Jr., Grand Commander in 2006 and Grand High Priest in 2013SK William Talbott Ellison, Jr., Grand Master of Masons in Virginia in 2012SK Scott Lyons Fielding, Knight Commander of the Temple and Deputy Grand CommanderSK Stephen Lynn Young was recipient of the Knight Templar Cross of Honor in 2020

Lynn Commandery No. 9

Lynn Commandery No. 9 Chartered May 10, 1947 Nestled in Southwestern Virginia is a staple of York Rite Masonry in Virginia. Lynn Commandery is truly one of a kind and unlike any other in our Commonwealth. W. H.H. Lynn Commandery No. 9 was formally organized on July 19, 1887, under the authority of dispensation of William Henry Harrison Lynn, Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Virginia. It was attested by William B. Isaacs, Grand Recorder. Shortly after, on November 24th, 1887, the Charter was approved and issued. The Sir Knights met on Broad Street, and shortly after on Cherry Street in Marion, VA. The First Commander of W. H. H. Lynn Commandery No.9 was R. M. Goodell, who served in 1887-1888. At the same time, Lynn Commandery had its first Grand Commander of Virginia, Right Eminent Benjamin Franklin Buchannan, who served the Grand Commandery from 1887-1888. The first recorded record of the name change from W. H. H. Lynn Commandery to Lynn Commandery was recorded in the minutes of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Virginia in 1894. The name still stands to this day. Marion Lodge No. 31 was first chartered on December 11, 1849, and was reissued a Charter in 1859 due to long periods of non-communication or activity. In 1908, the Lodge began building at its current location and was constructed at a cost of $13,606.43. (In today’s funds in 2022, that would be the cost of $444,564.43) Of that amount, $8,624.47 was paid initially. The Commandery assumed the debt to finish construction of $6,000.00. The Lodge agreed to give ownership of the Building to the Commandery for the completion, as it still stands to this day. Lynn Commandery is the only Asylum in Virginia to be owned by the Commandery. The third floor of Lynn Commandery is dedicated to Benjamin Franklin Hill, REPGC, with an extensive Library that he donated to Lynn Commandery.Over the years, Lynn has had the privilege of having Past Grand Masters, Grand High Priests, and Grand Commanders as members. Most Worshipful James Clark Padgett, Past Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, was a member of Lynn Commandery having received his Orders on April 8, 1911. Lynn Commandery also had the privilege of hosting the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Virginia in May of 1939. Past Grand Commanders of Lynn CommanderyR.E. Willie Addison Wolf 1939R.E. Ralph Richard Repass 1953R.E. Robert Hale Harrington 1960R.E. Joseph Bayard Cole 1971R.E. Jack Thomas Parsons 1980R.E. Benjamin Franklin Shearwood 1988R.E. Roy Braxton Henderson, Jr. 2017R.E. Benjamin Franklin Hill 2019 Honorary Past Grand CommandersJohn Robert Wigglesworth, Jr. 1999Edwin Richard Carpenter 2001Robert Lee Price, Jr. 2002Jay L. Cotner 2004James Arthur Fields, Jr. 2006WIlliam Thomas Hargrove 2012Benjamin Franklin Hill 2019 Appointed Grand OfficerSir Knight J. Brandon Hale, KCTAssistant Grand Recorder and Deputy Grand Inspector General 2020 – Present Sir Knight D. Cole David, KCTGrand Aide-de-Camp Southwest 2022-Present Past Grand High PriestsM.E. John Grigsby Eggleston 1982M.E. Daniel Hufford Surface, Jr 2016 Current Grand Line Officers of The Grand Royal ArchJames Paul Nunn, Grand Scribe Past Grand Master of Masons in VirginiaMW James Clark Padgett 1911 Lynn has also had members who have received high honors in Masonry, as well as the York Rite. DanielHufford Surface, Jr. was bestowed the John Dove award from the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Virginia in 2020. William Dean Robinson was also bestowed the John Dove Award from the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Virginia in 2021. For the Commandery, we have been blessed to receive honors as well. Knight Templar Cross of HonorWilliam Copenhaver 1978J. Richard Rowe, Jr. 1986Ronald E. McCord 2006Benjamin F. Hill 2012Daniel H. Surface, Jr. 2021 Charles A. Grice Merit AwardB. Franklin Shearwood 1986John G. Eggleston 1989R.B. Henderson 2010J. Brandon Hale 2018 Knight Commander of the TempleJay L Cotner, REPGCJ. Brandon Hale, PCR.B. Henderson, REPGCB. Franklin Shearwood, REPGCJohn Robert Wigglesworth, Jr., REPGCEdwin Richard Carpenter, REPDCRobert Lee Price, Jr., REPGCJay L Cotner, REPGCJames Arthur Fields, Jr., REPGCWilliam Thomas Hargrove, REPGCBenjamin Franklin Hill, REPGCD. Cole David Meritorious Service MedalJames W. QuiesenberryDaniel H. Surface, Jr.Robert A. BruceJ. Brandon Hale Honors are not what we strive for, however, we have been blessed at Lynn Commandery. We have conferred Orders in house and had the privilege of seeing many Sir Knights join our ranks over the years. Lynn Commandery is the Crown Jewel of Southwestern Virginia Masonry. We are proud of our home, and we will continue to labor to ensure it stays strong for many years to come! Knight Templar Eye Foundation As a state, Virginia is in the process of bringing all of their Sir Knights up to 100% participation in the Knight Templar Eye Foundation Life Sponsorship program.  While many of the Commanderies have been able to attain this level of commitment from their Sir Knights, Lynn Commander has done something that no other Commandery in the state has been able to do, yet.  They have achieved 200% participation with the Sir Knights that are members of their Commandery and are leading the way for other Commanderies to follow suit with their outstanding dedication to this philanthropy.

Winchester Commandery No. 12

Winchester Commandery No. 12 Chartered July 5, 1824 The Masonic fraternity of Virginia, and particularly the Grand Commandery of Virginia, will learn with more than ordinary interest that an encampment of Knights Templar was regularly instituted in this Commonwealth at least ten years before the institution of the Grand Commandery at Richmond on Nov. 27, 1823. This fact, strange as it may appear, is an interesting piece of Masonic history worthy of more than passing notice. It is indeed a great portion of early Virginia Commandery history too. To understand the story of Templary in Winchester, all should bear in mind that all the minutes and records of Winchester Commandery prior to the year 1900 have disappeared with time. The city was ravaged by the Civil War and the reconstruction period that followed in the second half of the 19th Century. Still, hard evidence remains that proves that there was an Encampment of Knights Templar at Winchester as early as 1813, which worked under the authority of the old Winchester Lodge No. 12 chartered to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Antient York Masons on October 1, 1768. It is also reasonably assumed that the various members of the early Commandery at Winchester had received their Templar Orders from Pennsylvania beginning around the year 1810. By the year 1812, a decision was reached to form the Winchester Encampment of Knights Templar independent of the symbolic lodge and it became a self constituted and self-congregated group. The first men created Knights Templar at Winchester Encampment were Robert L. Bealy and Robert Maloney who were knighted on May 4, 1813. This establishment was four years before the organization of the General Grand Encampment of the United States and St. John’s Rising Star Encampment in Richmond which were both founded in the year 1816. It was also 11 years prior to the formation of the Grand Commandery of Virginia. Within a decade of its formation, Winchester Encampment granted warrants to Warren Encampment in Harper’s Ferry and Mt. Carmel Encampment in Warrenton. Right Eminent Daniel Walker Thomas wrote Grand Master of the Grand Encampment, DeWitt Clinton, on June 17, 1824, and was sanctioned favorably, but he elected to maintain his own Grand Encampment status on November 27, 1824, after being solicited to request a new warrant or charter of constitution for a $90.00 fee. The two bodies would eventually come to a mutual agreement and Daniel Walker Thomas was elected the first Grand Commander with numbering allotted to Winchester Encampment’s first three Commanderies Winchester No. 1, Warren No. 2, and Mt. Carmel No. 3. Grand Master DeWitt Clinton again wrote Daniel Walker Thomas in 1824 stating the following: “As you Encampment was established before the General Grand Encampment, I do not perceive the necessity of your taking out charters or dispensations; it would be, in my opinion, an unnecessary expense. If you have three Encampments, I think it will be advisable for you to form a State Grand Encampment, and for that body to send me an instrument acknowledging the jurisdiction of the General Grand Encampment, in which case I will acknowledge you as a regularly constituted State Encampment, until the General Grand Encampment shall at their next meeting take order on the subject. This measure will save expense and trouble and be in all respects proper.” At a Special Assembly held in Winchester on March 23, 1825, a reorganization of the Grand Encampment of Virginia was formed. Daniel Walker Thomas continued as Grand Master and Dr. John Dove was made Deputy Grand Master. Thomas continued in that role until November of 1829 when he was succeeded by Charles Augusta Grice of Portsmouth Encampment No. 5. Rt. Eminent Grice was the first figure to be labeled the “Grand Commander” and the Annual Assembly was then removed to Petersburg, VA in 1830. In the roughly 40 years following this period until the close of the Civil War, Winchester Encampment remained for the most part dormant. It was then revived in 1870 by local judge, John Bell Tilden Reed, who served as Commander. From that point in history on, a successful chain of custody and leadership extends to the present day. On March 2, 1900, while workers were tearing down the old brick building known as the Market House on the public square in downtown Winchester to make way for the new Rouss City Hall, they discovered an old lead box in the northeast corner. As the Masons since Lord Fairfax’s time had occupied an apartment on that site, it was turned over to them and opened. The old box was found to contain numerous Masonic emblems and documents, chief among which was the following, this being an exact copy as regards both punctuation and spelling: A list of the Officers and Members of Winchester Grand Encampment of Sir Knight Templars. No. 1, Held in the Fields of Winchester, State of Virginia. Founded Anno Domini 1813, Anno Luces 5813, and in the Era of Sir Knight Templars 831. OFFICERSMost Excellent Sir Knight Daniel Walker Thomas, Esq., Grand Generalissimo.Reverend Sir Knight George Reed, Excellent Grand Captain General.Excellent Sir Knight Lemuel Bent, Esq., Grand Captain of the Host.Excellent Sir Knight Peter Lauck, Grand Standard Bearer.Excellent Sir Knight Conrad Kremer, Grand Marshal.Excellent Sir Knight Samuel H. Lauck, Grand Registrar.Excellent Sir Knight James Hill, Grand Treasurer.Excellent Sir Knight James Foster, Grand Sword Bearer. MEMBERSSir Robert Maloney, Sir William Kelley,Sir Henry Severs, Sir John A. Haupe,Sir William P. Helm, Sir Warner Throckmorton, Esq.,Sir Dolphin Drew, Esq., Reverend Sir Norman Nash,Sir William Herrin, Sir Abraham Lang,Sir Jacob R. Thomas, Sir Joseph P. Thomas,Sir Presley Marmaduke, Sir William W. Blanchard,Sir Isaac Hershell, Sir John Denton,Sir Edward Jackson, Sir Philip Klipstine,Sir John Wilson, Sir John R. Heyden,Sir Cyrus B. Baldwin, Sir John Kern,Sir James Keller. Deposited, (together with a Triangle, Cross and Star-Jewels of our Order on the thirtieth day of the Seventh Month called July,) Anno Domini 1821; Done by Order of our Said Encampment at Winchester. D. W. Thomas, M. E. G.

New River Valley Commandery No. 32

New River Valley Commandery No. 32 Chartered October 26, 1928 The origin of this Commandery is rather complex as Proceedings from Virginia’s Grand Encampment list three different charter dates. The 1928 Proceedings list “Blacksburg Commandery U.D. (under dispensation) with a charter date of December 14th 1927. Note the U.D. status, not a number. In the 1929 Proceedings the report for “Blacksburg Commandery No. 32” shows a charter date of October 26th 1928. Moving to the 1961 report of “Blacksburg Commandery No. 32” in the Proceedings the charter date is listed as September 12th 1929. All following records of Proceedings show a charter date of October 26th 1928 in the report for “Blacksburg Commandery No. 32” . The actual framed copy of the original charter held in the current “New River Valley Commandery No. 32″ Asylum has the date as October 26th, 1928. This seems to be the correct date of the final charter. Of special interest is the fact this Commandery was originally named DeMolay Commandery then they were informed there was already a DeMolay Commandery located in Lynchburg. Thus they had to rename the Conclave “Blacksburg Commandery”. This may explain some of the different charter dates. So how did this Commandery originate? Very interesting story. Sir Knight Tom Varner tells the story of its origin as found in documents on the Virginia Tech website. DeMolay was started in Virginia around 1927. A group of about twenty 18 year old gentlemen began college at Virginia Tech. They had just become members of DeMolay in their hometowns and they wanted to continue their fraternity meetings while at VPI. At that time, the main buildings for Blacksburg Institute (former name for VPI) sat on top of the hill where Main Street comes down to College Street. At the bottom of the hill, just off Main Street, was the Masonic Lodge. So this was a reasonable place to begin their search for a DeMolay Chapter. These gentlemen approached the Blue Lodge leaders (Hunter’s Lodge) about them sponsoring the DeMolay to meet in their lodge if they formed a chapter. Remember, DeMolay was new in Virginia and they really wanted their own chapter. Hunters Lodge said “no” they could not sponsor them. Then the gentlemen asked the High Priest of the Royal Arch Chapter “Can you sponsor our new DeMolay chapter,” again the answer was “no”. Reportedly the reason for the Blue Lodge and Royal Arch saying no was because they did not feel they could sponsor an exclusively “Christian” organization as they were themselves not exclusively “Christian”. Thinking they should now go to the head of the Commandery in Virginia before asking the local Commandery they approached the Grand Commander of Virginia. To their delight the Grand Commander said “of course we can sponsor you”, “but there is no Commandery in Blacksburg.” These determined 18 year old men went to the Blue Lodge and asked if they would “PLEASE” form a Commandery so they would have a sponsor for their new Chapter of DeMolay. Thus Blacksburg Commandery No.32 was formed. In the archives of the VPI library is a framed copy of the original charter for ZOROBABEL Chapter of DeMolay dated April 25th, 1929. There were 39 charter members signed on that charter. So obviously the gentlemen found out there were other DeMolay brothers on campus. So we may conclude that the charter date of October 26th, 1928 is the correct date for the origin of Blacksburg Commandery No. 32 as it would correspond with being charted just before the DeMolay chapter was chartered. Framed Charter at VT Charter Charter Info Charter Sponsor By the year 2005 the members of Hunter’s Lodge meeting in the Masonic Hall downtown Blacksburg came to a realization that their beloved building no longer met their needs. There was expensive maintenance and repairs to be done and the stairs inside and outside were too difficult for the brothers to climb. So the Masonic Lodge in downtown Blacksburg was sold for $610,000.00. The money was placed in an account and later invested. During this time Hunter’s Lodge and Blacksburg Commandery, along with the other bodies meeting in that building, moved their possessions to McDaniel Lodge at 710 College Street, Christiansburg. The Blue Lodge, Royal Arch, Commandery and Order of the Eastern Star continued to meet in Christiansburg. In about 2012, Hunter’s Lodge constructed a beautiful new lodge building on Prices Fork Road. In February of 2013 the Blue Lodge moved their meetings to that location but the Commandery and Royal Arch continued to meet in McDaniel Lodge in Christiansburg. On May 2nd, 2015 “Blacksburg Commandery No.32” officially changed the name to New River Valley Commandery No.32. Over the years many prominent citizens of Virginia have been members of the Blacksburg Commandery. These gentlemen were lawyers, doctors, senators, representatives etc. There is a very large 800 page textbook of “Virginia’s History” that contains photographs and biography of Virginia’s leading men from about 1920 -1960. Listed in many of these biographies is their attendance and graduation from VPI. And……they list their membership in Masonic, Council, Chapter and Commandery while attending VPI. In 1987, the Grand Commander of Virginia, Mansell H. Hopkins Jr., was from Blacksburg No. 32. Mansell was a student of VPI and later became a professor of Electrical Engineering there. There have been other members who were in the Grand Commandery of Virginia: Roger Duncan – Grand Warder (2009)Fred Koziel – Grand Standard Bearer (2011) In 2020 Joe G Broce Sr was elected Grand Sword Bearer. Fred and Roger dropped out of line , today Joe is Grand Captain General. There is a persistent representation from New River Valley No. 32 on the Virginia Drill Team that competes at the Triennial Encampments. For many years, Virginia had a large drill team that competed in the Triennial Encampment competition. Around 1932 they sent their last drill team for competition. However, in 1996 a new 16 man drill team was organized, and Mansell Hopkins, Joe Broce, and Steve McMurray along

Richmond Commandery No. 2

Richmond Commandery No. 2 Chartered April 10, 1823 Following the 1823 formation of the Grand Encampment of Virginia, Winchester Encampment, Warren Encampment, and Mont Carmel Encampment were notified to apply for charters from the General Grand Encampment. Winchester Encampment No. 1 and Warren Encampment No. 2 did so and received such charters; but Mont Carmel Encampment No. 3 refused to do so and became extinct in 1824. At a Special Assembly of the Grand Encampment on August 11, 1824, Richmond Encampment was advised of the existence of the State Grand Encampment of Virginia and was invited to join, which it did, and the complication was resolved. Thus, Richmond Encampment No. 2 became a sponsor, and the formation of the Grand Encampment of Virginia was healed. At the General Grand Encampment Triennial XIII Session in 1856 Sir Knight William B. Hubbard (1847-1859) was elected Most Eminent Grand Master of the Grand Encampment and oversaw changes in the names of the Grand Bodies and their officers. 1857 marked the movement from the name Grand Encampment to Grand Commandery for State Jurisdictions; thus, Richmond Encampment was changed to Richmond Commandery No. 2. Sir Knight Edward H. Gill, Right Eminent Grand Commander, and member of Richmond Commandery, called a Special Assembly in Richmond on the morning of February 22, 1858. After drilling and inspecting the Grand Commandery in due form, the Sir Knights were informed that the Assembly was called for the purpose of acting as a mounted escort to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Virginia on the occasion of the inauguration of the Equestrian Statue of George Washington. The Grand Commandery proceeded to the residence R. E. Sir Gill and Lady Gill presented the Grand Commandery with a beautiful banner. Afterward, the officers and visitors of Grand Commandery of Virginia, along with the Sir Knights of Commanderies of Richmond No. 2, DeMolay No. 4, Appomattox No. 6, and Dove No. 7, consisting of 110 Sir Knights in all, mounted and in full regalia, then proceeded to the Masonic Hall, and escorted the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Virginia to the Capital Square, where the Equestrian Statue of George Washington was inaugurated. The Richmond Commandery No. 2, hosted a dinner for the guests from Grand Lodge and the visiting Sir Knights in Corinthian Hall. The Civil War and Reconstruction was hard on Virginia, but Richmond Commandery maintained a strong membership between hundred fifty and two hundred knights. On November 13, 1878, the Grand Commandery of Virginia chartered another Commandery, St. Andrew Commandery No. 13, in the City of Richmond. The period 1875 to 1914 ushered in a new period of peace, prosperity, and harmony throughout the Jurisdiction of Virginia. The Richmond Commandery duly drilled, inspected, and encamped in solemn form. Its knights were visible in full uniform escorting Grand Lodge and Symbolic Lodge Cornerstone Ceremonies and Masonic Funerals, marched in formation at several celebratory parades, and at divine services in the many community churches in Richmond. In 1919, pursuant to a resolution, Richmond Commandery No. 2 and St Andrew Commandery No. 13 were appointed joint hosts along with the Grand Commandery of Virginia for the One Hundredth Stated Grand Conclave and Centennial Ceremony. Richmond Commandery No.2 and St. Andrew Commandery No. 13 provided 225 and 200 knights respectively. A Grand Reception, refreshments, and dance was held at the Richmond Coliseum for the Sr Knights, Ladies, and Guests. Richmond Commandery No. 2 survived the “Roaring Twenties”, the “Cultural Civil War” and its social tensions, the 1929 Stock Market Crash and the Great Depression, World War II (1941-1945), the Cold War (1947-1989), the Korean Conflict (1950-1953), the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Vietnam Conflict (1955-1973). Harmony was the hallmark between the City of Richmond’s Commanderies: Richmond Commandery No. 2 and St. Andrew Commandery No. 13. The Sir Knights were active in Templary tactics and ritual and escorting Grand Lodge and Symbolic Lodge Cornerstone Ceremonies for community churches and public buildings. They were visually presenting flag programs and wreath laying ceremonies, escorting Masonic funerals, marching in formation in parades, and attending divine services in various community churches. Membership in Commanderies of Knights Templar had been dropping for years and many of the knights were members of both Richmond and St. Andrew Commanderies, in 1953 the knights voted to merge into one Commandery – Richmond Commandery No. 2 with a combined membership of five hundred ninety two knights. In 2021, Richmond Commandery reported a membership of sixty-two knights. Richmond Commandery No. 2 is one of only two Commanderies left from the original foundation of the Grand Commandery of Virginia. It has a rich history,  and an effort is underway for our Archives and History Committee to assist the Sir Knights of Richmond Commandery to provide and document its current history. As Robert Burns said in Sorrowing, Yet Not Without Hope, still a future: No! though the grave hath claimed our best, No! though the green sprigs mark his rest, Weeping we cry with chastened faith, Trust in the Lord, and conquer death. No! though a seat is vacant here, No! though his voice no more may cheer, Upward we cast the eye of love, Lost to the earth, but sale above. How through long years of wasting pain Bright burned his soul and fired his brain; In this dear place he loved to be — Here keep his name eternally. Brethren, be strong, for life’s demand Boldly endure and bravely stand; From his bright life example take — From his blest grave let hopes awake.