Monday, January 28, 2019

Centennial Memory #56: Grand Lodge Approves DeMolay Sponsorship in PA

To celebrate the DeMolay Centennial, PA DeMolay will be counting down 100 memories worth celebrating that took place within the DeMolay Chapters and Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania.

For many years, Pennsylvania DeMolay has had the overwhelming support of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and many of the subordinate bodies within Freemasonry. Where did it all start? I'm sure at a later time, we will talk more about the founding of DeMolay in Pennsylvania and the part that the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar played in making it possible for PA DeMolay to form.

Today we will discuss the support from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. In 1959, the 40th year of DeMolay International, Right Worshipful Grand Master, Sanford M. Chilcote, established an edict permitting lodges within Pennsylvania to sponsor a DeMolay Chapter. They were allowed to spend their current lodge funds to financially support a Chapter.

Although this may not seem like a big deal now, in 1959 this was a big deal. PA DeMolay was founded by the Grand Commandery, and although the Grand Lodge was supportive of DeMolay coming to Pennsylvania, this was the first sign of contribution. Since then, the lodges working within Pennsylvania have provided homes and support for Chapters all through the Commonwealth. The article below is from the March/April 1959 issue of the DeMolay Cordon.

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