The Next Logical Step

in Freemasonry

.

Burleigh Heads

Royal Arch Chapter

No 148 SGRACQ

 
 

WELCOME

to the Burleigh Heads Royal Arch Chapter web site   

                                                   

We are a friendly Chapter whose members really enjoy each other’s company as we learn from the beautiful ritual that is Royal Arch Freemasonry.


After each meeting we like to celebrate this friendship with a meal prepared by our friendly ‘Chef’ Comp David Morse.



 

                                               

Just twelve months from the date of taking the third degree Freemasons are eligible to join a Royal Arch Chapter to continue their 'masonic journey' and by doing so they can:-

  1. •Discover more important lessons for Life;

  2. •Participate in colourful and meaningful rituals;

  3. •Take the third regular step;

  4. •Discover the long lost genuine secrets;

  5. •Decipher the third tracing board;

  6. •Participate in many degrees; and

  7. •Gain the key to join many orders available only to Royal Arch Masons.


Royal Arch Freemasonry is an important part of the Masonic family.  It is a sovereign body, but at the same time, an integral part of the fabric of what the general public sees as Freemasonry.    Its origins date back to the 16th and 17th centuries.

Traditional Masonic history takes as its allegorical basis  the Biblical accounts of the building of King Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. In Royal Arch Freemasonry this is further developed by using the historical accounts of the destruction of the temple and the enslavement of the Hebrews as its metaphor.   The release of the captive Jews, and the rebuilding of the Second Temple over the subsequent centuries,  is the basis for colourful metaphors which the Royal Arch uses to demonstrate its principles and values to those masons who join its ranks.

The first Craft Lodge formed in Queensland, the North Australia Lodge, was constituted in Brisbane on 1859 under the English Constitution when Queensland was part of the colony of New South Wales.  The first Royal Arch Chapter,  the Prince of Wales was formed in February 1865,  again under English constitution.   

Craft Freemasonry and Royal Arch Freemasonry flourished and grew in parallel alongside the the newly formed State of Queensland until 1921 when The Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Queensland was formed by the amalgamation of Chapters from the English, Scottish and Irish constitutions

Currently there are some 58 Chapters throughout Queensland  and Papua New Guinea.

The Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Queensland controls within it's jurisdiction the degrees of,

  1. •Mark Master Mason.

  2. •Excellent Master Mason.

  3. •Royal Arch.

  4. •Worshipful Mark Master.

  5. •Third Principal.

  6. •Second Principal.

  7. •First Principal.

  8. •Royal Ark Mariner.

  9. •Worshipful Commander Noah.

  10. •Royal Master.

  11. •Select Master.

  12. •Most Excellent Master.

  13. •Super Excellent Master.

  14. •Thrice Illustrious Master.

  15. •Knight of the Sword.

  16. •Knight of the East.

  17. •Knight of the East and West.

  18. •Most Excellent Chief.


And you as a member of a Royal Arch Chapter can automatically join in and work these degrees, at no extra cost. 

These 18 degrees are all fully performed ceremonies and contain beautiful ritual and traditional histories to connect the whole story. 

Notwithstanding the importance of the Royal Arch Degrees, membership of the Royal Arch is a prerequisite to being accepted into many other important Orders.

  1. •The Masonic and Military order of the Red Cross of Constantine and the Order of the Holy Sepulchre and St. John the Evangelist.

  2. •The United, Religious and Military Orders of the Temple and the Order of St John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta.

  3. •The Allied Masonic Degrees.

  4. •Knight Templar Priests.

  5. •Knight of the York Cross of Honour.

  6. •The Worshipful Society of Freemasons ( Operatives ).


The members of the SGRACQ are committed supporters of Freemasonry by being active in their Craft Lodges as well as in the community life of the various towns and cities where they live and work.  By promoting charity work for the aged, widows and orphans,  and the underprivileged, are an important and valued part of the communities in which they operate.

Joining Royal Arch Freemasonry is a natural and logical progression for Freemasons wanting to extend their Masonic involvement and commitment.