As Masons we are taught to consider ourselves “builders,” and one of the most important lessons we may learn is the necessity of a solid foundation upon which to build. Perhaps nothing could be more important to the future of our great fraternity than the young people of our society. Doubtless this was in the minds of Arthur M. Millard and several members of Van Renssalaer Lodge of Perfection in Chicago when in January 1921 (two years after the formation of the Order of DeMolay in Kansas City) they founded the Order of the Builders for Boys, an organization for young men between the ages of eleven and twenty-one. Originally restricted to the sons and brothers of Master Masons, membership was soon changed to admit sons, brothers, grandsons, and nephews of Masons who belonged to recognized Masonic Lodges as well as the closest friends of these individuals.
Today it is simply called the “Order of the Builders,” and its objects are:
To promote the mental, moral, physical, and spiritual development of its’ members. To develop their activities in all that relates to individual duty to God and parents. To promote civic, state, and national betterment, by the defense of civil, religious, political, and intellectual liberty, and to provide by means of fraternal association a relationship through which to develop activities aiming for the mutual advancement of those coming within the range of its purpose and plans.
A ritual for the new organization was adopted on January 21, 1921, and consists of two degrees. The First, or “Apprentice Degree” teaches lessons similar to those of the first three symbolic degrees of Masonry—youth, manhood, and age—while the Second, or “Builder Degree” imparts lessons of patriotism and democracy, using such famous American Freemasons as George Washington, Paul Revere, and Benjamin Franklin. Master Masons as well as the non-Mason fathers or legal guardians of members of the Builders are permitted to witness the initiatory ceremonies and to attend its regular business meetings.
Unfortunately much of the early history of the Order is unavailable, but it is reported that in the first year of the Order’s existence over sixty chapters were established in Illinois with a total membership of approximately 4,500. Membership soon spread into Pennsylvania, but apparently not many other states, if any at all.
A “Central Council” of Master Masons oversees the work of the Order and consists of a Supreme Master Builder, Supreme Deputy Master Builder, Supreme Treasurer, Supreme Secretary, Supreme Chaplain, Supreme Marshal, and Supreme Sentinel. For several years the Central Council was located in Newcastle, Pennsylvania.
Fifteen officers comprise a Chapter of the Order: the Master Builder, Deputy Master Builder, Senior Inspector, Junior Inspector, Secretary, Treasurer, Senior Overseer, Junior Overseer, Chaplain, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Stewards, Marshal, and Sentinel and are overseen by a “Grand Chapter” which functions in a similar manner to that of Masonic Grand Lodges. A Grand Chapter is also composed of fifteen officers.
Through the efforts of seven Kentucky Master Masons, the Order of the Builders came to Kentucky on October 29, 1995, with the assistance of members from Pennsylvania and Illinois. Since that time the Order ceased to exist in Illinois. In 2005, Newcastle Chapter, the last chapter in Pennsylvania, closed its doors, and the remaining members affiliated with the Order of DeMolay for Boys. This left Kentucky as the only Grand Chapter extant with five subordinate chapters.
Beginning with six full members and seven associate members, Bowling Green Chapter No. 11401, Bowling Green, Kentucky was instituted as Kentucky’s first independent chapter on December 26, 1996. Henderson No. 05101 followed in 1998, Somerset No. 10001 in 1998, Scottsville No. 00201 in 2001, and Sons of Solomon No. 03101, Brownsville, in 2003. Members of these chapters often participate in camp-outs and fund-raising events and assist in various Lodge and community projects. Scottsville Chapter has recently instituted a $100 scholarship for qualified members who are enrolled in an accredited institution of higher education, and their sponsoring Lodge, Graham No. 208, voted to match the money given by the chapter bringing the total scholarship amount to $200.
The following members have served as Grand Master Builder of the Grand Chapter of Kentucky:
Walter “Trey” Dixon Sadler, III, 1995–1996
Dennis Walter Wolf, 1996–1998
William Andrew Wolf, 1998–1999
Ronald Wayne Pierce, 1999–2000
Kenneth Dan Gipson, 2000–2001
Brandon Dale Johnson, 2001–2002
Tyler Matthew Berry, 2002–2003
Richard Devin Stewart, 2003–2004
John Ed Taylor, 2004–2005
Shawn Knight, 2005–2006
For more information visit the official web site of the Order of the Builders at www.kybuilders.org.
REFERENCES
Coil, Henry Wilson. Coil’s Masonic Encyclopedia, 2nd ed. Richmond, Va.: Macoy Publishing & Masonic Supply Co., Inc., 1995.
Denslow, Ray V. “Masonic Rites and Degrees.” Transactions of the Missouri Lodge of Research, vol. 12, 1955.
Ritual of the Order of the Builders. N.p.: Central Council, Order of the Builders., 1972.
Schmidt, Alvin J. The Greenwood Encyclopedia of American Institutions: Fraternal Organizations. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1980.
Editor’s Note: It’s very curious that there are virtually no original records for an organization that reportedly grew to 60 chapter and 4,500 members in its first year. If you have any information, documents, or memorabilia about the Order of the Builders, please contact Bro. Karnes at karnes@charter.net or PO Box 189, Cape Girardeau, MO 63702-0189.
