About the Order

There are 4 degrees in the order and these degrees basically link the Craft degrees to the Holy Royal Arch. These degrees are often known as the Cryptic degree. The degrees are

Select Master degree. The degree concerns the building of a secret vault or Crypt beneath the Temple directly beneath the holy of holies. This is to store replicas of the Temple treasures in case Jerusalem and the Temple are attacked. A companion is said to be chosen as a select master.

Royal Master degree. This degree concerns a Companion asking Hiram Abif when he will receive the master word and involves one of the finest pieces of ritual in masonry. A companion is said to honoured as a Royal Master.

Most Excellent Master degree. This degree concerns the completion and the dedication of the Temple. A companion is said to be received and acknowledged a Most Excellent Master.

Super Excellent Master degree. This degree jumps forward around 400 years and concerns the destruction of both The Temple and Jerusalem by command of Nebuchadnezzar and the removal of the Jews to Babylon. A companion is said to be received and acknowledged a Super Excellent Master

These degrees came to England from the USA in 1873  and there are now around 250 Councils under the jurisdiction of Grand Council.

To become a member of the order you need to be both a Royal Arch Mason and a Mark Master Mason.

The Order is run by our Grand Master Most Illustrious Companion Kessick John Jones from Mark Masons Hall in London..

After you have been through the chair there are 2 additional degrees which you can be invited to take

Thrice Illustrious Master or Order of the Silver Trowel

Excellent Masters Degree

We have a total of 9 Councils in and around Essex. 2 in Southend, 2 at Upminster (one being our Past Masters Council) and one each in Chelmsford, Harlow, Orsett, Colchester and Harwich,