Provincial Grand Chapter of Cornwall 

 

   Grand Superintendent – E.Comp Nicholas J.F.C. Barrington, was
   appointed Grand Superintendent in and over the Province
   of Cornwall in 1994. (At that time was also appointed
   Provincial Grand Master and retired from this in 2003)

 

 

 Deputy Grand Superintendent – E.Companion L.Bruce Roberts, PAGSoj

 

 

 

 

  
Welcome Address by Grand Superintendent.

Whether you are a mason or just browsing and interested in our Order, I welcome you to this newly designed website.

I hope this site will be of some use to you and look forward to receiving any comments you may have. If you are interested in joining the Royal Arch in Cornwall please contact either your Lodge Secretary or the Provincial Grand Scribe E. 

Holy Royal Arch – what is it?

The Holy Royal Arch is an extension of the Third Degree of Craft Masonry. It is not a Degree in its own right but is a separate Order indissolubly linked to Craft Masonry, and following a recent amendment to the Book of Constitutions the preamble now states, viz: “pure ancient masonry consists of three degrees and no more, they are those of the Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch, which is an extension to, but neither a superior nor a subordinate part of the Degrees which precede it.”

To understand the relationship of the Royal Arch to the Craft it is necessary to know a little of the history. Freemasonry as we know it today was established in 1717 by the formation of a Grand Lodge which consisted of freemasons who became known as ‘The Moderns.’ In 1751 a further group of freemasons formed themselves into a Grand Lodge which became known as ‘The Ancients.’ The two co-existed in rivalry until 1813 when they combined to form the United Grand Lodge of England. Up to this time The Ancients had practiced a fourth degree known as ‘The Royal Arch.’ The Moderns did not recognize this fourth degree so a compromise was reached to allow the Royal Arch to become the completion of the third degree, as it was agreed by both Grand Lodges that Craft masonry should consist of three degrees only. This compromise gave the Royal Arch the unique status of being an integral part of the Craft, yet still separate. No other Masonic Order can be described in this way.

Today the Royal Arch is considered the important final step in pure ancient masonry.

The connection of the Craft with the Royal Arch is further evidenced by many of the Rulers of the Craft being the same as those for the Royal Arch, e.g. the Grand Master and Pro Grand Master of the Craft are the First Grand Principal and Pro First Grand Principal of the Royal Arch, both share the same Secretary, Treasurer, Directors of Ceremonies etc. and the same administrative staff at Freemasons’ Hall, London.    

Who Can Join the Royal Arch?

Brethren who have been Master Masons for at least four weeks are eligible to become Royal Arch Companions. After being proposed, seconded and balloted for in a Royal Arch Chapter the candidate is admitted by way of an exaltation ceremony, and becomes known as a Companion. The regalia of a Royal Arch mason is an apron with a distinctive red and blue border, a sash of similar colours and a breast jewel.

It is no longer necessary for a R.A. Companion to have been Master of a Craft Lodge before progressing to the office of Principal in a R.A. Chapter.

Master Masons interested in becoming a R.A. Companion should contact their Lodge Secretary or any Brother wearing a Royal Arch jewel with his Craft Regalia.

Royal Arch Masonry in Cornwall

The first recorded Royal Arch Chapter activity in Cornwall began over 200 years ago, when Thomas Dunckerley, probably the most famous freemason of all time, was made the first Grand Superintendent in the Province of Cornwall in 1791. One of his first tasks was to issue a ‘Warrant of Dispensation’ following a Petition from John Knight for three Companions to be the Principals of the Druids Chapter of Love and Liberality at Redruth. John Knight, a stalwart of Cornish Freemasonry, had been initiated into Druids Lodge in 1766 and exalted into the Chapter of Sincerity, Peace and Fame in Plymouth in 1775. From 1791 to 1819 over 100 candidates were exalted into Druids Chapter, many of whom then became founders of neighbouring chapters. The next Chapter to be formed was that of Light and Truth at Penryn, but it had a brief existence and little record of it remains. The next two Chapters were Volubian at Falmouth and Holy Mount at Penzance.

By 1874 there were 9 Chapters in Cornwall and it was decided to consolidate this by forming a Provincial Grand Chapter, and so on 20th February 1877 at the Masonic Hall, Truro the Provincial Grand Chapter of Cornwall was constituted with an impressive ceremony reported at length in the local press, copies of which have been preserved and can be seen in the Henry Mitchell Museum at Hayle.

By 1970 the number of Chapters had grown to 23 and it was decided to form one for senior members, so in February of that year the Cornish First Principals Chapter received its Charter. This Chapter serves a very useful purpose in the Province and continues to thrive due to the large number of joining members from among the annual influx of installed First Principals.

In 1977 the first 100 years of Provincial Grand Chapter was celebrated by a Service of Thanksgiving at Falmouth Parish Church.

The last Chapter to be consecrated was Scillonian Chapter No 7790, which took place at Newquay in May 2008. This Chapter serves the needs of freemasons on the Isles of Scilly and brought the total number of Chapters within the Province to 32.

Provincial Annual Convocation

The Provincial Annual Convocation is held each year on the first Saturday in October commencing at 3p.m. at Redruth School, Tolgus Vean, Redruth. The meeting is preceded by a luncheon at the nearby Penventon Park Hotel. All subscribing Royal Arch companions are eligible to attend the meeting, but accommodation at the luncheon is limited and should be arranged beforehand with the Provincial Scribe E.

At the meeting companions awarded active and past Provincial ranks are invested, also those who have been promoted.

Provincial Grand Scribe E

The administrative and secretarial duties of the Province are carried out by the Provincial Grand Scribe E, E.Companion Barry Williams who can normally be found in the Provincial Office at 7, New Bridge Street, Truro TR1 2AA on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 0900 to 1230. Tel No. 01872 276191. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
He can otherwise be contacted at home – tel. 01326 340106
Here is a list of 2009 Appointments  ChapterAppointments2009.pdf (32.57 KB)
Here are the details of Royal Arch Chapters in Cornwall  Chapters.pdf (138.72 KB)