In early 1993 the late Ill. Weldon Good, 33°, of the Tulsa Valley in Oklahoma saw a need for assistance during reunions. He also noticed that Masons were joining the Scottish Rite but not returning to help and participate in subsequent reunions. To rectify this, he developed the organization now known as the Knights of St. Andrew as a service group for the Valley.
The by-laws stated that the Knights of St. Andrew are a "Black Cap" group. The main duties of the Knights of St. Andrew were and are, to assist, as needed, during a reunion and to be available to the Valley's General Secretary for any assigned duties.
There is no "official" headquarters or central authority of the Knights of St. Andrew … no uniform … no required procedures or prescribed ritual. The attire and regalia varies from one Chapter to another. Most Chapters have adopted the insignia developed by the Guthrie Chapter for their recognition lapel pin and badge.
The Legendary History of The Knights of Saint Andrew
The Knights of St. Andrew is an elite unit of select Scottish Rite Masons. The Winston-Salem chapter is The Mother Chapter for North Carolina.
The origins of the Order date back to the period of 1220-1232 A.D., when a Confraternity was established in the City of Acre, of the then Crusader Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem (occupying the same territory as the modern state of Israel) to protect pilgrims and merchants.
This Confraternity, consisting of burgesses and knights of largely French heritage, met in the City’s Castle – and chose the Holy apostle, St. Andrew, as their Patron. They constituted themselves as a Crusading Order of Knights with the object of resisting tyranny and protecting public safety.
During the turmoil of the Sixth Crusade, these worthies of the Order defended the poor, the sick and the weak from adversaries. In the best tradition of the Military and Religious Orders of the time, they founded their lives on prayer, charity, service and protection.
About this time, procession of Acre was being contested by the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick II. operating from his base in Sicily. Through his marriage to Yolande, daughter of John of Brienne, a leading Crusader, the Emperor had become embroiled in the affairs of the Crusader States. The Emperor sent a fleet of ships against Acre in 1227, whereupon the Knights and Officers of the Order of St. Andrew of Jerusalem appealed to Pope Gregory IX, who excommunicated the Emperor for this action.
During the subsequent negotiations with the Muslims by the Emperor Frederick, the Knights of St. Andrew remained aloof. Though some progress for the Crusaders appeared at first to have seen made, their adherence to treaty commitments made at that time eventually enabled an army of Turks in pay of the Sultan of Egypt, to crush the remaining Crusader enclaves by about 1244.
It was at about this juncture that the existing historical records of the Knights of St. Andrew were lost. It is speculated that the records may have been transported to Byzantium in hope of safekeeping, only to be lost yet again when the city feel to the Turks in 1453.
History of the KSA in the Valley of Winston-Salem
rother Dan Hogue, 33° had the pleasure and privilege to attend a national Scottish Rite Conference in Kansas, when Ill. Brother Bob Davis, 33° G.C., presented a workshop on a new idea that the Valley of Guthrie, Oklahoma, of which he was Secretary, had instituted, called the Knights of Saint Andrew.
Their original plan was to invite thirty-two Masters of the Royal Secret - 32° Masons - to a membership in the service of various work to their Valley. The plan was so successful in their Valley that they not only expanded their scope, but thankfully, they allowed more men into the KSA. What an idea!
When the idea was introduced to the North Carolina S.G.I.G., it took a little convincing. After two years of thought and preparation the Valley of Winston-Salem could proudly proclaim that we had a Chapter of Knights of Saint Andrew and that ours was the first Chapter in North Carolina. In 2002, the Winston-Salem Chapter of the KSA was formally opened. The word got around and now all Valleys in North Carolina have Chapters of KSA and they have all met with resounding success.
As a Knight of Saint Andrew, you now have the opportunity to be of service and make a difference. Knights now serve in many capacities including, but not limited to, acting as greeters, escorting visitors, assisting with the special dinners and with food during Reunions, selling Masonic merchandise, assisting with Valley fundraisers, and assisting with Reunion degree work when needed.
KSA Opportunities Include:
- KSA Officer
- Golf Tournament Committee (Knight-Master is Vice Chair for volunteers, all officers should participate)
- Constitution and By-Law Review Committee
- Budget and Finance Committee (KSA Senior Warden chairs with KSA Secretary/Treasurer)
- Meals and Entertainment Committee (KSA Junior Warden chairs joint Valley committee)
- KSA Store (Store Manager, KSA Secretary/Treasurer, KSA Deacons)
Valley Opportunities Include:
- Membership Committee (KSA Senior Deacon should assist Valley Chairman and Ambassador Chairman)
- Stage Committee
- Floor Properties Committee
- Robing Committee
- Actor/Degree Work
- Classroom Committee
- Marshall Committee
- Special Meals
- Ambassador"
Past Knight Masters of the Winston-Salem Knights of Saint Andrew:
|
Ervin W. "Cowboy" Allen Jr. 33° (2003) Marion "Kirby" Matthews 33° (2004) Joseph P. Link 32° KCCH (2005) Andrew V. Darr 32° (2006) Brandon R. Faircloth 32° KCCH (2007) Robert L. Clendenin 32° (2008) Thomas W. "Tommy" Allen Jr. 32° KCCH (2009) Thomas R. "Tom" Braun 32° (2010) Michael J. Fischer 32° (2011) Jason Anderson 32° (2012) Christopher A. Pearman 32° (2013) Andy Thomas 32° (2014) Bobby Golding 32° (2015) Jamie Sanchez 32° (2016) Todd Hildebran 32° (2017) Jonathan Black 32° (2018) Todd Hurm 32° (2019) Clifford Shrewsbury 32° (2020) Will Fulbright 32° (2021) Joseph Slade, Jr. 32° (2022) |