Outside of the U.S., the concept of Mark Master's lodges are not uncommon, but they are largely unknown here. When the Antients and Moderns united in England in 1813, the Articles of Union made the curious (and mathematically bizarre) statement that "pure ancient Masonry consists of three degrees, and no more, viz: those of the Entered Apprentice, the Fellow Craft, and the Master Mason, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch." The Mark degree is believed to have been composed of deleted or extracted ritual elements from the Fellow Craft and Master Mason degrees.While Mark Master's lodges do not commonly appear in the US, that is now changing in Utah. Keystone Mark Master’s Lodge No. 0 is the first independent Mark Masons Lodge chartered under the jurisdiction of the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Utah, to promote the Royal Arch of the York Rite and create interest beyond the Blue Lodge through the lessons of Mark Masonry.
From the Ars Latomorum blog:
Keystone Mark Master’s Lodge No. 0 Constituted
Under the auspices of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Utah, Most Excellent Grand High Priest, Companion Bill Butterfield, constituted Keystone Mark Master’s Lodge No. 0, and installed the charter officers, for the purposes of advancing Mark Master Masonry, and the York Rite. All Master Masons of Symbolic Lodges hailing from, or in amity with, the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Utah, are welcome to petition to receive the Mark Master’s Degree. All those who received their Mark Master Degree, from Utah Chapter No. 1 of Royal Arch Masons, or are Royal Arch Masons, are welcome to affiliate. Charter Membership petitions must be received by June 18, 2010.
Those interested take due notice, and govern yourself accordingly. For more information, please feel free to contact mailto:jmitchell@arslatomorum.com.
