"Human progress is our cause, liberty of thought our supreme wish, freedom of conscience our mission,and the guarantee of equal rights to all people everywhere our ultimate goal." -- The Scottish Rite Creed
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"Human progress is our cause, liberty of thought our supreme wish, freedom of conscience our mission,and the guarantee of equal rights to all people everywhere our ultimate goal." -- The Scottish Rite Creed |
The Scottish Rite of Freemasonry was first brought to the New World from France in the year 1763. Bro.Stephen Morin of Bordeaux established the 25 Masonic Degrees of the "Rite of Perfection" in the British West Indies.
He had been granted a patent, by Masonic authorities in Paris, appointing him the "Grand Inspector in all parts of the New World", which empowered Stephen Morin to found Lodges in North and South America.
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In 1767 Stephen Morin's close associate Henry Francken transported this new Masonic Rite to Albany, New York, where he formed the first Ineffable Grand Lodge of Perfection in North America, with civil engineer Bro. William Gamble serving as its first master. The following year, the first Grand Council of Princes of Jerusalem was organized here. These lodges were the forerunners of what was to become the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in the United States (and Canada). Thus, the Valley of Albany is the oldest valley in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, and the second oldest valley in the United States...... The Albany Masonic Temple, on Lodge Street in downtown Albany, is the home of the Valley of Albany. The temple stands within sight of the New York State Capitol building. The Albany Temple is built on the same site, where, on May 12th, 1768, the cornerstone was laid for the first lodge house built and owned by a Masonic lodge (Master's Lodge No.5) in North America. Since that time, this property has remained continuously vested in the hands of the Masonic Fraternity, the oldest such property known to exist in the world. |
| The present building, at
67 Corning Place, was erected in 1895-96 to the designs of Albany architects Fuller and Wheeler and incorporated such Italian Renaissance-style elements as rusticated stonework, a loggia with Ionic columns and wide eaves.
The entry is flanked by polished stone columns with orbs and protected by a handsome wrought-iron gate. The image to the right is from a post card dating from 1899 |
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The Albany Temple contains many
artifacts of early Masonry in America. Fine, 19th century furniture, such as this ornate, hand carved, Scottish Rite Master's chair, fill the temple's three lodge rooms and hallways.
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| Above
the main entrance of Albany Masonic temple, is a large bust of
Bro. James TenEyek,33° (1840-1910). He was elected Grand Master of
Masons in New York State in 1892, and was a great benefactor of
Masonry in the Albany District for many years.
 Pietre-Stones Review of Freemasonry |
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"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph." Bro. Thomas Paine, 1776
| Secretary, Valley of
Albany Michael D. Derry, 33° P.O. Box 263 Central Bridge, NY 12035 |
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"Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is
the stuff life is made of." Bro. Benjamin Franklin
Current Meeting Schedule, Valley of Albany
Active & Honorary Members of the Supreme Council, 33°
Meritorious Service Award Recipients
Order of the Knights of the Double Eagle
Order of the Knights of Saint Andrew
If you are a Master Mason living within The Valley of Albany New York's jurisdiction, and are truly seeking more light in Masonry, your Masonic brothers of the Valley of Albany extend an invitation to you to join them as a member of the Scottish Rite.
CLICK HERE to download an application, which you can return to the valley secretary at the address above.
"Learn, that you may be enabled to
do good; and do so because it is right, finding in the act itself
ample reward and recompense."
Bro. Albert Pike
Scottish Rite Freemasonry - USA
Gateway to Scottish Rite Resources
Rensselaer-Schenectady Masonic District
Scottish Rite & Children's Learning Center Coupon Donate now
Inside the Masons an excellent article
32° Masonic Learning Centers for Children
Researching Masonry........the tools you'll need
General Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star
George Washington Masonic National Memorial
Bro. DeWitt Clinton's Address on Masonry: 1793
AMERICAN MASON: online magazine
Member's Shopping & Rewards Marketplace
Ill. Bro. Albert Pike, 33°,(1809-1891)
The Founding Lodges at Albany, 1758
Historical Sketch of Albany Sovereign Consistory
Morals and Dogma, Bro. Albert Pike
Masonic Research & Inspiration - a reading list
The Double-Headed Eagle of Lagash
HEREDOM:
Scottish Rite Research Society
"As Mankind becomes more liberal, they
will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy
members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil
government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of
justice and liberality...". Bro. George Washington
"A Mason is bound to consult the happiness and to promote the interests of his Brother; to avoid everything offensive to his feelings; to abstain from reproach, censure, and unjust suspicions; to warn him of the machinations of his enemies; to advise him of his errors..." Bro. DeWitt Clinton
"Masonic labor is purely a labor of love. He who seeks to draw Masonic wages in gold and silver will be disappointed. The wages of a Mason are in the dealings with one another; sympathy begets sympathy, kindness begets kindness, helpfulness begets helpfulness, and these are the wages of a Mason." Bro. Benjamin Franklin
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"I ask of each Mason, of each
member, of each brother, that he shall remember ever that there is upon
him a peculiar obligation to show himself in every respect a good citizen;
for after all, the way he can best do his duty by the ancient order to
which he belongs is by reflecting credit upon that order by way in which
he performs his duty as a citizen of the United States." Bro. Theodore
Roosevelt
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