Jerusalem Chapter traces its history back to the early days of masonry when the Royal Arch masons of what was then Lodge no.25 under the “Ancients” constitution, meeting at Hanna’s in Tarleton Street, formed themselves into a Chapter which first met as a separate entity on August 19th 1795. Before then Royal Arch ceremonies had been worked within the Lodge itself by its Royal Arch masons, as was the practice of Lodges under the constitution of the “Ancients”.
The original chapter document dating 19th August 1795
Following the union of the Grand Lodges of the Ancients and the Moderns the Chapter resolved to apply for a Charter for their Chapter, attached to Lodge no. 38 (as the Lodge number had by then become). This resolution was passed at a meeting at the Star & Garter in December 1817 but Grand Chapter took its time in issuing the Charter: when it finally arrived in 1821, after a sharp reminder, the Chapter’s name was shown as Jerusalem Chapter, attached to Lodge no. 38 and so it remained until Lodge numbers were rationalised; Lodge 38 became Lodge 32. In 1821 the annual subscription was One guinea.
Amongst its furnishings the Chapter has some items of considerable antiquity and interest. Whilst the ritual follows a conventional pattern it is unique to Jerusalem Chapter. At the time of writing it has just under 30 members. Over its two centuries of existence it has produced several Grand Superintendents of the Province.
