BEGINNINGS
The Order of the Golden
It was thought that the wives, mothers, sisters and daughters of Scottish Rite Masons could be of assistance to the Fraters and the subsequent body was named the “Ladies’ Auxiliary to Jonathan Davis Consistory” and intended to function as an auxiliary to a Consistory in an Orient.
Growth was slow at first until S.G.I.G. Robert L. Pendleton 33°, who was concurrently serving as the Deputy for the Orient of the District of Columbia and Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander of the Southern Jurisdiction, decided to confer degrees upon these ladies—many of whom were prominent members of their Eastern Star chapters. They agreed and the name of the group was then changed to “Order of the Golden Circle, Auxiliary to Scottish Rite Freemasonry” in 1908.
IN THE NORTHERN JURISDICTION
Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander James F. Rickards 33° sought to introduce select ladies of our Jurisdiction (those with a Scottish Rite bloodline) to this new body. As the ritual, constitution, and burial service for the Order of the Golden Circle was copyrighted by Commander Pendleton in 1908, Commander Rickards sought permission which he received.
In May 1914, our United Supreme Council authorized the formation of the Order of the Golden Circle for the Northern Jurisdiction. Early the next year the first Assemblies were chartered—James H. Stevens Assembly No. 1, Providence, Rhode Island; Prince Hall Assembly No. 2, Boston, Massachusetts; and Manhattan Assembly No. 3, New York, New York.
The Order of Golden Circle is under the exclusive control of the Sovereign Grand Commander with primary management through the Deputy for the Orient. The Deputy is empowered
OHIO GRAND ASSEMBLY
In 1969, Sovereign Grand Commander Leland D. French, 33° (a member of Bezaleel Consistory No. 15) sought and received permission from Sovereign Grand Commander John G. Lewis Jr. 33° of the Southern Jurisdiction to organize state Grand Assemblies in the Northern Jurisdiction.
On October 26, 1971, under the leadership of then-Most Illustrious Commander-in-Chief and Deputy for the Orient the Ohio S.G.I.G. Samuel Brogdon Jr. 33° (a member of
VALLEY OF CLEVELAND
An auxiliary of Bezaleel Consistory No. 15, Bezaleel Assembly No. 19, Order of the Golden Circle, was chartered on May 14, 1928, during the 47th Annual Session of the United Supreme Council, Northern
For some reason the Assembly became dormant until May 7, 1931, when Most Illustrious Commander-in-Chief and Deputy for the Orient of Ohio S.G.I.G. Charles E. Gordon 33° (a member of Bezaleel Consistory No. 15) issued a dispensation to reactivate and reorganize the Assembly. The Assembly has been operational ever since with 10 Past State Grand Loyal Ladies to her credit.
Bezaleel Consistory No. 15 is proud to be associated with Bezaleel Assembly No. 19
CURRENT TIMES
Since the young adulthood the Order of the Golden Circle has grown steadily to encompass an Assembly accompanying almost every Consistory in the Northern Jurisdiction. It has also grown from more than a repository for the spouses (and other family members) of Scottish Rite Masons. The Loyal Ladies of today are an integral part of Scottish Rite freemasonry.
As we know behind (or more appropriately) alongside every great man is an even better woman. The members contribute thousands of hours of community service in their respective areas and stand as a respected and necessary part of the masonic fraternity.