The United Supreme Council, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite • Prince Hall Affiliation • Northern Jurisdiction, U.S.A.
The United Supreme Council, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite • Prince Hall Affiliation • Northern Jurisdiction, U.S.A.
Est. 1881 · Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite · P.H.A.
A historic record of stewardship, leadership, and jurisdictional continuity spanning more than 140 years.
Origins
The Fountainhead of Regular and Recognized Scottish Rite Freemasonry Among African Americans
The United Supreme Council, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliation, Northern Jurisdiction, U.S.A., Inc. was created from the sizeable efforts of a number of dedicated Brothers to unite all "colored" Freemasons.
Our story begins, in earnest, in the mid-1800s in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1850, Count de Saint-Laurent—Patron of the Prince Hall Scottish Rite—conferred the degrees of the Scottish Rite, including the Thirty-third and Last Degree of Scottish Rite freemasonry, upon David Leary, a prominent Philadelphia Freemason.
By December 1854, Illustrious Leary received his patent of authority from the Supreme Council of France investing him with the privileges and prerogatives of a Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Active grade. In January 1856, King David (Darius) Supreme Council was created with a full complement of elective and appointive officers.
Between 1856 and 1879 four (4) more Supreme Councils predominated by colored men were created:
The Five Founding Councils
The five Supreme Councils, in close proximity to one another, eventually required a course correction. Through a series of meetings in late 1880/early 1881 of all five (5) Supreme Councils, a framework for a union in the spirit of the Constitutions of 1786 was agreed upon.
April 9, 1881
On April 9, 1881, the United Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Thirty Third Degree of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America (our name at that time), commanded by Illustrious William H. Cooper 33°, was formed from the amalgamation of both the Philadelphia Supreme Councils and the New York Supreme Council. Immediately upon the completion of the organization of our United Supreme Council, a resolution was passed recognizing Illustrious Leary as a past Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander of this Council as well.
Chronicle
Key moments, milestones, and turning points in the history of the United Supreme Council, Northern Jurisdiction, from 1881 to the present day.
Delaware Exchange
We exchanged the Orient of Kentucky for the Orient of Delaware.
We incorporated ourselves.
In conjunction with our sister United Supreme Council in the Southern Jurisdiction, issued a Joint Bulletin proclaiming the legitimacy of "colored" Scottish Rite freemasonry.
Order of the Golden Circle
The Order of the Golden Circle was established in the Northern Jurisdiction after first receiving permission from Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander Robert L. Pendleton 33° wh…
The Cathedral was completed and dedicated.
Cathedral Modernization
The Cathedral underwent a modernization. The iconic stairs were razed, and six additional offices were built in their place.
Scottish Rite House
The Scottish Rite House was completed.
We were afforded official recognition and visitation with the Supreme Council, 33°, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction—USA.
Scottish Rite Tower
The Scottish Rite Tower was completed.
We were afforded official recognition and visitation with the Supreme Council, 33°, Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A.
The Sovereign Grand Commanders of the four (4) regular and recognized Supreme Councils in the United States met at the House of the Temple (Southern Jurisdiction headquarters) in W…
