Pontefract Masonic Hall Company Ltd

The first intimation of a Royal Arch Chapter in Pontefract is in connection with St Oswald Lodge.

An agendum on St Oswald Lodge summons in 1886 states:

“Bro Slack will propose that a Royal Arch Chapter be formed in connection with the Lodge to be called the St Oswald Chapter”

Nothing more is recorded until in 1892 Bro WHB Atkinson, Solicitor, prepared according to Regulations 47 & 48 of Grand Chapter, 1886, a petition signed by 17 members of St Oswald Lodge, 16 of whom were members of Wakefield Royal Arch Chapter No 495.

St Oswald Chapter No 910 was Consecrated on Monday 17^th April 1893 at 4.15pm

Founder members of St Oswald Chapter

Samuel Slack
G.H Locking
Wm Mathers
Ed. Lord
R Fisher
Is Kaberry
Caleb England
Wm Jas Farr
Wm Warde
WHB Atkinson
J.H Greeves
Jas. Atkinson
Robert Pygott
Edward Lee
A.H.B. Lees
Wm Abbot Glover

When a Freemason has attained the rank of a Master Mason he is then entitled, after a period of one month, to be exalted into a Royal Arch Chapter in order to complete fully his Master Mason’s Degree. He is then in the Royal Arch referred to as a Companion.
Royal Arch Chapters meet independently to Lodges and the regalia is different to a Craft Lodge. It consists of an Apron with red and blue surround, a red and blue sash and a special Jewel which Royal Arch Masons should also wear in their Craft Lodges in order to show the bond that exists between Craft and Royal Arch.

As in all Masonic degrees the ritual of the Royal Arch is an allegory. It helps to focus the minds of the Companions, without conflicting with their religious beliefs, to a contemplation of the nature of, and their relationship with their God which will be appropriate to their own religion.
A Royal Arch Chapter has a number of officers with particular titles but most important are the three Principals who collectively rule the Chapter for one year.

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