In 1820 James Cushman, member of a lodge in Connecticut and apparently a typical Connecticut Yankee, appeared upon the Virginia Masonic Scene, where he would exert great influence upon the entire Masonic Structure of the Old Dominion, His ritualistic knowledge led the Grand Council to designate him Grand Lecturer, the first Brother to hold such office in Virginia Lodge History. Cushman was a disciple of the famed Jeremy Cross who was familiar to, if not renowned to, the Masons of Virginia. James Penn2, who had been one of the first candidates raised in Marshall Lodge No. 39 in 1793 became aware of Cushman’s work and was present at the Grand Lodge Communication of 1820. Soon after the Grand Lodge Communication Penn would become an advocate for Cushman’s ideas at Marshall Lodge No. 39.

Up to the time of Cushman’s arrival in Virginia, the only two Grand Bodies in the Commonwealth were the Grand Lodge Ancient York Masons, and the Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Excellent and Super Excellent Masons. Lynchburg seems to have become fertile ground for Cushman to pursue the expansion of Cryptic and Templar Masonry. Working with James Penn at Marshall Lodge, Cushman inspired an interest in the establishment of all forms of appendant body Masonry in Lynchburg. The Organization of DeMolay Commandery No. 4 Knights Templar can be directly attributed to him. At Cushman’s’ request, Daniel Walker Thomas, Grand Commander of the Grand Encampment, Knights Templar of Virginia issued a dispensation of January 25th, 1826, authorizing Cushman and two other members of the order to confer the templar orders on certain Lynchburg Royal Arch Masons. The rites took place on April 17, 1826, and the candidates who were created Knights Templar that day were Robert Henning Gray, Howson Stainbeck White, Joshua Rathbone Holmes, Thomas McKinney, Howell Davies, Henry Green Holmes, Thomas Gordon Coleman, Thomas Jefferson Duvall, Henry Francis Beaumont, Rev. Franklin G. Smith, and William Simms Bagby. Immediately following the rites these new templars signed a petition asking for the establishment of an Encampment (Commandery) in Lynchburg. On the 29th of April, a dispensation was granted for the Organization of a Lynchburg Encampment, With Linnaeus Dupuy as the first Commander, Robert H. Gray as Generalissimo, and Howson S. White as Captain General. On November 13, 1826, a charter was voted on and presented to the Lynchburg Encampment, which in 1827 changed its name to DeMolay Encampment. In 1856 the term Encampment was dropped in favor of the term Commandery. Over the many intervening years DeMolay Commandery No. 4 has served as an important aspect of Free Masonry in the Lynchburg Area through its participation in innumerable Masonic, Charities, Ceremonies and Programs. The written history of Marshall Lodge No. 39 contains more than 40 specific references to the DeMolay Commandery and some of Lynchburg’s finest Citizens, such as Dr. John J. Terrell and W. D. Diuguid have been Sir Knights of DeMolay Commandery No. 4. In a letter dated November 5, 1898, the Grand Recorder of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Virginia wrote to the Recorder of DeMolay Commandery No. 4 saying “Your Commandery did good word last year (1897) may she continue”; thus, establishing evidence of the high esteem in which DeMolay Commandery No. 4 has been held for over two centuries. More evidence of the fraternal and brotherly nature of the Sir Knights in DeMolay Commandery No. 4 can be seen in the minute books, and other records, which have survived. For example, DeMolay Commandery No. 4 has always worked closely and cooperatively with the other Commanderies of this district. In the minutes of the September 14, 1880, Stated Conclave the following entry are found, “A Resolution by the Dove Commandery, Whereas this Commandery recognizing with felicity and highly appreciating the kind an liberal hospitality exhibited towards it by DeMolay Commandery No. 4 Knights Templar of Lynchburg, VA on the occasion of the visit of this Commandery to that city on the 6th day of May 1880 and desires to testify to the Sir Knights of said DeMolay Commandery No. 4 some suitable manner their recognition and appreciation of the same. Later the minutes of the November 10, 1908, Stated Conclave contain the following “The recorder had received a letter from Dove Commandery No. 7 Knights Templar, expressing in a most courteous and complimentary manner their thanks for the hospitality extended them during the last triangular Conclave. Further the Minute Books consistently provide details of regularly conducted Triangular Conclaves with Bayard Commandery and Dove Commandery as well as other social activities; all of which point to a true sense of camaraderie between the Knights Templar of this district throughout the years.

It would be remiss to not point out that the Sir Knights of DeMolay Commandery No. 4 had a sense of Brotherhood and camaraderie which included a bit of humor. Two photographs from the past give us a hint of this brotherly familiarity by having nicknames written under the Sir Knights image. These two Sir Knights, whose nicknames are Big Bill and Fatty obviously were well respected by their brothers but offered an opportunity for humor and friendly banter among the Sir Knights. A tradition which still exists in the Commandery today.  In recent years, following a fire, which destroyed Marshall Lodge No. 39’s downtown Masonic Hall in 1997, DeMolay Commandery No. 4. first met at the Masonic Temple on Lemon Drive until 2013 and then relocated to Campbell Lodge 316 in Altavista. The move to Altavista was occasioned by the closure of the Danville Dove Commandery No. 7, which resulted in their members being assigned to DeMolay Commandery No. 4. This move was a way of making the DeMolay Commandery No. 4 accessible to the Sir Knights from Danville and Martinsville, while still serving the Sir Knights of Lynchburg and Campbell County.

Currently the Commandery membership of thirty-seven Sir Knights is stable and has the potential for growth in the coming year. The DeMolay Commandery actively contributes to the Orders primary charities and are 100% life members in the Eye Foundation; with several of the Sir Knights being members of the Grand Masters Club.

In summation DeMolay Commandery No. 4 continues the proud traditions and charitable endeavors begun 194 years ago and looks forward to celebrating 200 years of service to the community and the world on November 13, 2026.