Tradition we are told is the accumulated and inherited wisdom of those who have gone before. Masonic tradition states that in 1818 the Grand Master of England, the Duke of Sussex, deputized a West Indian Negro, Passey Benjamine, to establish Commanderies of Knights Templar in the West Indies and the United States. Passey Benjamine came to the United States and made a member of the First African Lodge of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia. In 1820 he found Knights Templar residing there, having been created Knights abroad, and he organized St. George Commandery. In 1844, the First African Grand Encampment was organized.

The Prince Hall Masons organized Mt. Calvary Grand Commandery of Knights Templar at Plainfield, New Jersey on March 19, 1884.

When we escort the Grand master of Prince Hall Masons, in full regalia as Guard of Honor, at such public appearances that he may request, the world at large may visually know that the Masonic religious concept is truly all inclusive.

The Knights Templar Rite consists of three degrees: Order of the Red Cross, Knights Templar, Knights of Malta. These are also called the Chivalric Degrees.

We have 5 subordinate Commanderies in the State of New Jersey:
Ocean Spray Commandery No. 3 in Atlantic City
St. Paul Commandery No. 7 in Plainfield
Douglas Commandery No. 10 in New Brunswick
Mt. Ararat Commandery No. 12 in Lawnside
Palestine Commandery No. 13 in Englewood

In the States of Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, and Washington, DC, we jointly have a Pilgrimage Association to assist in promoting programs of mutual interest and support each other to enhance our public image. We are greatly assisted in our endeavors by Celestial Grand Court, Order of Cyrenes of the Adopted Rites.

Our full dress regalia was approved and adopted by the Grand Encampment of the U.S.A. in 1862. It does not resemble in a general character, the uniform of Ancient Knights. It was created for the American Rite and expresses, all inclusively, Christian Knighthood. It is worn only in America, and differs in other countries.

The United States Flag is part of Templar masonry. We have vowed to be loyal to the American Flag and true to the government it represents.
 

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