On April 6, 1988, Sir Knight Mansell H Hopkins, Jr., Grand Commander the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Virginia, granted a disposition for the formation of a new Commandery of Knights Templar in Urbanna Virginia.

The following Saturday April 9, 1988, Penn-Neck Commandery Under Disposition was opened in short form. The officers were Richard B. Baldwin (Grand Generalissimo) – Commander, David G. Mathews – Generalissimo, Jon W. Mayberry – Captain General, Leonard W. Fitzgerald – Senior Warden, – John R. Ritchey Junior Warden, Samuel L. Cochran – Standard Bearer, Charles D. Simms – Sword Bearer, Edward W. Smith – Warder, George D. Stevens – Sentinel.

Applications for Membership were received and approved for: Gaylord G. Ambrose, Richard B. Ballwin, Howard F. Coleman, Clifton T. Davis, Clinton R. Edwards, William S. Holloway, David G. Mathews, Jr., George D. Nicolson, Stanley E. Shelton, A. Lenwood Stevens, George D. Stevens.

Petitions were approved for: William W. Ambrose, Earl W. Borkey, Thomas O. Bowers, Charles R, Bryant, Jr., Charles T Davis, Roland L. Emerson, Charles W. Faulkner, Paul L. Feitig, Donald G. Grabar, Clyde S. Hartlove, Lewis D. Hensley, David M. Hudgins, Boyd-D Manning Jenkins, John M. Kanak, Charles D. Loving, James F. Palmer, Arthur James Phillips, Dr. Darryl J. Pirok, Ernest M. Priddy, Owen G Roberson, Jessie R. Stevens, William J. Thrift, Donald K. Vance, Dr. Arthur L. VanName, Jr., Charles Lester (Pete) White, Kenneth W. Williams.

At the One Hundred Sixty Sixth Annual Grand Conclave of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Virginia on May 14, 1988, the Committee on Dispensations and Charters approved the dispensation granted to Perm-Neck Commandery to form a Commandery in Urbanna, Virginia. In addition, the committee recommended that the request for a charter be granted to Penn-Neck Commandery, and the number 33 be assigned to it. The committee consisted of Sir Knights Gayle E. Bovee, Right Eminent Past Grand Commander, Chairman, J. Linwood Holloway, Sr., and Robert G. Smallwood.

The Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Virginia was convened on June 18, 1988, to constitute Penn-Neck Commandery No. 33. The Commandery was constituted and then approved that its Stated Conclave would be held on the Third Monday of each month in the Masonic Temple, at Urbanna, VA. Officers listed below were elected and installed.

JENKINS, BOYD D. MANNING, Commander

KANAK, JOHN MILTON, Generalissimo

HENSLEY, LOUIS D., JR., Captain General

EMERSON, ROLAND L, Senior Warden

REARDON, PAUL J. Junior Warden

DURKOVICK, JOHN, Prelate

BORKEY, EARL W, Treasurer

PHILLIPS, A. JAMES, Recorder

WHITE, CHARLES L, Standard Bearer

MATHEWS, DAVID G., JR., Sword Bearer

DAVIS, CLIFTON T, Warder

FEITIG, PAUL L, Sentinel

TRUSTEES: Daryl J. Pirok, C. W. Faulkner, Dr. Arthur L. VanName, Jr.

Charter Members Sir Knights Arthur James Phillips, PC, Daryl Pirok, PC, and Charles Robert Bryant, PC, are the only remaining Charter Members still serving in our earthly Order.

During its brief history Penn-Neck Commandery No. 33 has been a force in furthering the Templar Order and Masonry within the Masonic family and the community. Their involvement with civic organizations includes the Boy Scouts, the International Order of DeMolay. Job’s Daughters and serving as a color guard for many organizations. The Commandery participates in the Easter Sunrise Service at the George Washington Masonic Memorial, the Masonic Home Family Day and Parade, and Religious Freedom Day Parade. The Sir Knights of Penn-Neck Commandery have and do serve in many volunteer positions in their community such as election officials, officers in service clubs, positions at all levels in their churches, food banks, delivering meals to shut ins, civic boards, and even elected or appointed government positions.

The Commandery has sent three ministers to the Grand Encampments Holy Land Pilgrimage and the returns to the Commandery, and the community are many and immeasurable.

Penn-Neck Commandery may be small, but it is very active. In its ranks there are and have been numerous distinguished Sir Knights rendering service to our Order. By Category:

Recipients of the Knight Templar Cross of Honor (3)

Sir Knight Joseph Patrick Westfall, Sr,

Sir Knight Roland Eugene Gauthier

Sir Knight Joseph Clifford Lineberry, Jr.

Recipients of the Knight Commander of the Temple (5)

Sir Knight David G. Mathews, Jr.

Sir Knight Joseph Patrick Westfall, Sr.

Sir Knight Earl Borkey

Sir Knight John Jeffrey McClelland

Sir Knight John Randall Howerton

Recipients of the Companion of the Temple (5)

Lady Pamela McClelland,

Lady Beth Howerton

Lady Alexa Westfall

Lady Patricia Reardon,

Lady Ester Gauthier

Grand Commandery Officers (7)

Sir Knight Richard Burdett Baldwin, KTCH, Grand Commander 1989-90, Most Eminent Grand Master of the Grand Encampment 2006–2007

Sir Knight David G. Mathews, Jr., KCT, Grand Commander 1999-2000

Sir Knight Paul John Reardon, Grand Commander 2005-2006

Sir Knight Joseph Patrick Westfall, Jr., KTCH, KCT, 2016 – 2017

Sir Knight John Jeffrey McClelland, KCT, 2020 – 2021

Currently serving are

Sir Knight John Randall Howerton, KCT, Grand Generalissimo

Sir Knight Joseph Clifford Lineberry, Jr., KTCH, Grand Sentinel (third term), Instructor of Work District 1

Sir Knights of Penn-Neck Commandery have in the past and are now currently serving on numerous Grand Commandery Committees that include the Eye Foundation, Finance, Knight Templar Magazine and Masonic Herald, Baldwin – Brown Fellowship, Education, Masonic Home Board of Directors, Jurisprudence, Constitution and Statutes, and Membership.

Penn-Neck Commandery was constituted with forty Sir Knights and as of December 31, 2021, has forty Sir Knights on its roster. Having a very small population of Masonic bodies to draw members from, the commandery has done well to maintain its membership level over its first thirty-three years. The Commandery is poised to continue and prosper in the future.

By Sir Knight John Jeffrey McClelland, KCT, PGC