Description

The York Rite Colleges of Indiana exists primarily to be of service to the York Rite of Freemasonry. Constituent colleges must declare fealty to the Grand Lodge of their respective jurisdictions.

The per-requisite for membership, which is by invitation only, is good-standing in all four York Rite bodies: Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commander in the state of Indiana

Legend of York

"This craft came into England, as I tell you, in the time of good king Athelsan's reign; he made then both hall, and also bower and lofty temples of great honor, to take his recreation in both day and night, and to worship his God with all his might. This good lord loved this craft full well, and purposed to strengthen it in every part on account of various defects that he had discovered in the craft. He sent about into all the land, after all the masons of the craft, to come straight to him, to amend all these defects by good counsel, if it might so happen, He then permitted an assembly to be made of divers lords in their ranks, dukes, earls, and barons, also knights, squires and many more, and the great burgesses of that city, they were all there in their degree; these were there, each one in every way to make laws for the state of these nations. There they sought by their wisdom bow they might govern it; there they found out fifteen articles, and there they made fifteen points."

----Regius Manuscript, circa 1390

The York Rite

The York Rite takes its name from the Ancient English city of York, around whose minster, or cathedral, cluster many Masonic traditions. Here, these traditions tell us, Athelstan, who reigned more than a thousand years ago and who was the first king of all England, granted the first charter to the Masonic guilds. Here, in 1705, a Grand Lodge in London, to whose constitution the Grand Lodge of England later appealed as the true source of authentic Freemasonry. Though early disappearing from the Masonic scene, this Grand Lodge left an indelible impression upon the institution, and its name --- York --- will survive as long as Freemasonry continues.

Origin of York Rite Colleges of Indiana

The York Rite Colleges of Indiana came into being in …

Purposes

The purpose of the York Rite Colleges of Indiana, as set forth in its Constitution and By-Laws, are as follows:

1. To foster a spirit of cooperation an coordination among each of the Bodies of York Rite Masonry.
2. To assist in worthy efforts to improve the ritualistic and dramatic presentation of York Rite work.
3. To conduct an education program in order to inculcate a greater appreciation of the principles, ideals and programs of York Rite Masonry.
4. To strengthen York Rite Masonry in every possible manner.
5. To build up a love of country and to aid and support genuine Americanism.
6. To reward outstanding service to York Rite Masonry by awards, honors and other methods of proper recognition.
7. To support Charitable and Benevolent Endeavors of Freemasonry.