Freemasonry offers many opportunities for members to continue exploring its principles, symbolism and traditions beyond the three degrees of Craft Masonry.
Some Master Masons choose to concentrate entirely on their Craft Lodges. Others join the Holy Royal Arch or explore one or more of the additional Masonic Orders. For Christian Royal Arch Masons, the Masonic Knights Templar offers a particularly distinctive continuation of that journey.
But what attracts Freemasons to the Order, and what do its members find so rewarding?
A continuation of the Masonic journey
A man begins his Masonic journey in a Craft Lodge, where he progresses through the degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason.
After becoming a Master Mason, he may choose to join the Holy Royal Arch. A Royal Arch Mason who professes the Christian faith may then be considered for membership of the Masonic Knights Templar.
The usual journey is therefore:
- Join a recognised Craft Lodge.
- Become a Master Mason.
- Join a Royal Arch Chapter.
- Become a Royal Arch Companion.
- Seek membership of a Knights Templar Preceptory.
Progression is not automatic, nor is there any requirement for a Freemason to join every Order. Each stage is a personal choice based upon the member’s interests, circumstances and beliefs.
Our article, Craft, Royal Arch and Knights Templar: The Journey Explained, explains how these different parts of Freemasonry relate to one another.
An explicitly Christian Masonic Order
One of the principal reasons Freemasons join the Knights Templar is its Christian character.
Craft Freemasonry welcomes members from different religious traditions. The Masonic Knights Templar, however, is an explicitly Christian Order. Candidates must be Royal Arch Masons and profess the Christian faith.
The ceremonies, symbolism and principles of the Order allow members to explore themes including faith, courage, humility, sacrifice, integrity and service. For many Christian Freemasons, this gives the Order a particular personal and spiritual significance.
Membership is not intended to replace a man’s involvement with his church or personal faith. Instead, it provides an additional opportunity to consider Christian values through Masonic ceremony, fellowship and reflection.
Distinctive and memorable ceremonies
Ceremony is an important part of Freemasonry, and the ceremonies of the Knights Templar are among the most visually distinctive within the wider Masonic family.
They draw upon the imagery and traditions of medieval Christian chivalry. Candidates and members encounter a setting that is markedly different from a Craft Lodge or Royal Arch Chapter, while still retaining familiar Masonic principles such as integrity, personal responsibility and service to others.
The purpose is not historical re-enactment. Members are not claiming to be medieval knights, and the modern Masonic Order is not a direct continuation of the medieval Knights Templar.
Instead, the traditions and symbols associated with chivalry provide a framework through which moral and spiritual lessons can be explored.
You can learn more about this distinction in The Difference Between the Medieval Knights Templar and the Masonic Knights Templar.
Friendship and fellowship
For many members, one of the greatest attractions of Knights Templar Freemasonry is the friendship found within its Preceptories.
A local Knights Templar unit is called a Preceptory. Its members may come from several different Craft Lodges and Royal Arch Chapters, bringing together Christian Freemasons who might not otherwise have met.
Members regularly visit other Preceptories, attend provincial meetings and participate in church services and other special occasions. This creates opportunities to establish friendships across Lancashire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and beyond.
As with Craft and Royal Arch meetings, the formal proceedings are often followed by a meal. This provides time for members and visitors to relax, talk and enjoy one another’s company.
The ceremonial traditions may initially attract someone to the Order, but it is often the friendship and sense of belonging that encourage him to remain involved.
A connection with history and tradition
The name Knights Templar carries a powerful historical association. It evokes medieval knights, the Crusades, the Temple in Jerusalem and the familiar red cross upon a white mantle.
The original medieval Knights Templar was suppressed in 1312. There is no reliable historical evidence of an unbroken organisational connection between that medieval institution and the modern Masonic Order.
Knights Templar Freemasonry developed many centuries later, drawing inspiration from the ideals, imagery and traditions associated with Christian chivalry.
Members can therefore explore this rich historical symbolism while maintaining a clear distinction between medieval history and modern Freemasonry.
The Provincial Priory of Lancashire, Cumberland and Westmorland has existed for more than 170 years and includes Preceptories with long and fascinating histories. You can discover more on our History of the Order page.
Opportunities to visit
Visiting is an important and enjoyable part of Masonic life.
Membership of Knights Templar provides further opportunities to visit Preceptories throughout the Province and in other parts of the country. Visitors can experience different traditions, renew existing friendships and meet other members who share their interests and values.
The Province is home to 32 active Preceptories meeting in different towns and Masonic halls. This geographical spread allows members to find meetings within reasonable travelling distance and provides a varied programme of ceremonies and events throughout the year.
Our Preceptories map shows where the Order meets across the Province.
Personal development and leadership
Freemasonry gives members opportunities to develop confidence, self-discipline, organisation and public speaking. Knights Templar Freemasonry continues that tradition.
Members may take office within their Preceptory, assist with ceremonies, support candidates and contribute to provincial events. Over time, these responsibilities can help develop ceremonial confidence, leadership skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
Not every member seeks senior office. Many are content to support their Preceptory, attend meetings and enjoy the ceremonies and companionship. The level of involvement will depend upon the individual’s interests and available time.
Service and charitable activity
Service to others is an important principle within Freemasonry and the Knights Templar.
Preceptories and provincial organisations support charitable causes, assist members experiencing difficulty and contribute to their wider communities. Members may participate in fundraising, church services, community events and other forms of practical support.
This reflects the chivalric ideal of using one’s abilities and position in the service of others. The values encountered within the Preceptory are intended to influence how members conduct themselves in everyday life, not simply how they behave during Masonic meetings.
A sense of shared purpose
People join Masonic Orders for different reasons.
Some are drawn to the Christian nature of Knights Templar. Some are fascinated by its history and symbolism. Others value the ceremonies, opportunities to visit or the chance to meet more Christian Freemasons.
What many members discover is a strong sense of shared purpose. The Order brings together men who wish to explore faith, character, friendship and service within a distinctive Masonic setting.
Joining is not about obtaining a higher rank or becoming more important than another Freemason. A member of Knights Templar is not superior to someone who chooses to remain solely within his Craft Lodge.
Each Masonic Order offers a different experience. Membership should be guided by genuine interest and personal conviction rather than a desire to collect titles or memberships.
Is Knights Templar right for you?
Knights Templar Freemasonry may appeal to you if:
- You are a Royal Arch Mason.
- You profess the Christian faith.
- You are interested in Christian chivalric symbolism.
- You value traditional and meaningful ceremony.
- You would like to meet Freemasons from other Lodges and Chapters.
- You are interested in visiting, fellowship and service.
- You want to continue your Masonic journey in a distinctively Christian Order.
You do not need to make an immediate decision. An informal enquiry gives you an opportunity to ask questions, learn about nearby Preceptories and decide whether the Order may be right for you.
Interested in finding out more?
If you are already a Royal Arch Mason, profess the Christian faith and would like to learn more about the Masonic Knights Templar, the Provincial Priory of Lancashire would be pleased to hear from you.
Visit our How to Join page and select the option for Royal Arch Masons. You can also find a local Preceptory or read our introduction to Knights Templar Freemasonry.
Making an enquiry does not commit you to joining. It simply gives you an opportunity to discover more about the Order and the next appropriate step in your Masonic journey.