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The Scottish Rite is primarily a rite of instruction. It interprets the symbols and allegories of Freemasonry in the light of history and philosophy, using the words of the inspired prophets of humanity, the ceremonials of the great religious of the world, and significant episodes from history and biography to point the moral and adorn the tale. It is a university course in Masonic symbolism, tradition and ideas. In its Degrees the Masonic ritual is explained, the underlying meanings interpreted. Ancient liturgies and age-old philosophies are invoked to illustrate and enforce the profound teachings of the Craft. The Scottish Rite is more than a fraternity of good fellows engaged in the benevolent practices of friendship and relief. It is a militant order, a knighthood, devoted to the cause of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. The Scottish Rite seeks to cultivate in the hearts of men personal morality and the sentiment of tolerance and fraternity. What has been said and done by the historic emancipators for the liberation of the human mind is vividly portrayed in its Degrees and the Scottish Rite Mason is dedicated to the effort to make the spirit of Masonry prevalent in society.
At a meeting held in the Masonic Temple of El Paso on Friday, November 17, 1905, Mount Franklin Lodge of Perfection No. 8 was instituted in due form by Brother Edward Charles Pew, 33° Honorary, acting as Deputy under the authorization of Brother A. B. Chamberlin, 33°, Sovereign Grand Inspector General in Texas. Oasis Chapter of Knights Rose Croix No. 5 was constituted and its officers installed on October 2, 1906, by Brother E. W. S. Neff, 33°, acting Deputy for Brother A. B. Chamberlin, 33°, Sovereign Grand Inspector General in Texas. On February 19, 1907, Brother E. W. S. Neff, assisted by Brother E. C. Pew, 33° Honorary, and J. J. Ormsbee, 32°, as special officers of the Supreme Council, appointed by Brother A. B. Chamberlin, 33° Sovereign Grand Inspector General in Texas, constituted and set to work Rio Grand Council No. 3, Knights Kadosh El Paso Consistory No. 3 was constituted on July 23, 1907 by Brother E. C. Pew, 33° Honorary, acting as the special deputy for the Sovereign Grand Inspector General in Texas, Brother Chamberlin conducting the ceremonies of inauguration. All four organizations had been constituted in the Masonic Temple of El Paso, where the members met in a small room rented for a nominal amount. The various properties and furniture were left standing in their place, there being no storage space for them. Later, the organization moved twice, each time to more commodious quarters, yet still inadequate; but hope had been carried all these years in the hearts of the loyal workers of one day possessing a Temple of their own. Funds for this purpose were contributed and loaned by various members, and work started in 1921 under the authorization of the Scottish Rite Benevolent Association of El Paso, an organization with the joint purpose of aid to the needy Masons and their families, and the furnishings, maintenance and support of a Scottish Rite Cathedral in the city of El Paso. In 1922 the organization moved into their new Temple, although it was sparsely furnished at the time in the way of stage and lighting equipment, costumes and other paraphernalia for the conferring Degrees. Today the Temple is entirely free from indebtedness, finished, equipped, and is second to none in the state. The El Paso Scottish Rite proudly stands upon a firm and solid ground.
Ill. Ronald A. Seale, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander Chapter of Rose Croix 2008 Council of Kadosh 2008 Consistory 2008
The Scottish Rite is based upon Symbolic Masonry. It does not confer the first three degrees. This is recognized as the unquestioned prerogative of the Symbolic Lodges. The Scottish Rite confers only degrees from the fourth to the thirty-second, inclusive. For more information about Freemasonry in the El Paso area, visit www.ElPasoMasons.net. |
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Constituted on April 11th, 1883 by Albert Pike, the El Paso Scottish Rite boasts a membership of over 1,800 men. |
242nd Reunion Photos Now Online!
Thanks to Robin, Armida and Nick, photos from the 242nd El Paso Scottish Rite Reunion are now in our photo gallery. Take a look!
Strategic Plan for the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Southern Jurisdiction, USA
What is the mission of the Scottish Rite and how do we expect to accomplish our goals? Our Strategic Plan is a must-read for every Scottish Rite Mason and you can find it here.
New Bulletins!
The El Paso Scottish Rite April 2008 Bulletin and the program from the Odessa Scottish Rite Maundy Thursday Observance of Tenebrae have been added to the bulletins section of our website. Check them out!
Coming Up at the El Paso Scottish Rite
31 May, 9 AM - Grand Lodge of Texas Grand Master's Conference
We need photos!
Hey! Did you take some photos at the Honors Day or the Reunion? Do you have some Scottish Rite photos that have been sitting around in a shoe box? If so, WE NEED YOUR PHOTOS! Contact admin@elpasoscottishrite.org and lets get them into our Photo Gallery!
Scottish Rite Freemasonry is the one universal Freemasonry; in fact, in many lands it is the only Freemasonry. Prior to the beginning of World War II, before the Totalitarian aggressors suppressed the Craft in most of Europe, there were thirty-seven Supreme Councils in existence, including countries from Italy to Argentina and New Zealand, and from the United States to China and South Africa. 
The history of the Scottish Rite in the Valley of El Paso should properly begin with the organizations of the El Paso Lodge of Perfection No. 5 and El Paso Chapter of the Rose Croix No. 4 under the Letters Temporary granted by Albert Pike, 33°, Grand Commander, on the 11th day of April, 1883, and the 11th day of December 1883, respectively. Those two organizations duly instituted by Grand Commander Albert Pike, and the furniture and properties to be used by them were constituted at that time under the direction and personal supervision of the Grand Commander. At that time El Paso was little more than a border town with shifting population, and these two organizations later became demised; but the furniture and properties were carefully stored away and when these two organizations were again instituted in 1905, the furniture and properties, including the alter with the copper horns, were again put into use and are today highly valued because of their history and origin.
The Bodies of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry sitting in the Valley of El Paso, Orient of Texas, acknowledge and yield allegiance to the Supreme Council (Mother Council of the World) of the Inspectors General, Knights Commander of the House of the Temple of Solomon, of the Thirty-third and last Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of America, whose See is at the Grand Orient of South Carolina, now sitting at Washington D.C. of which..
Freemasonry is the world's oldest and largest fraternal organization. It is believed to have originated with the craft guilds of medieval Europe and latterly, to have expanded to admit those who did not actually belong to the trade. The literal stone masons are referred to as operatives while those who did not actually work in stone were called speculative masons. [ Bro. Stephen Daphoe]