ROYAL ARCH

Craft and Royal Arch One Journey

The Royal Arch is the completion of Pure and Ancient Freemasonry. Every Lodge has a representative who can inform members about the Order, and encourage members to complete their Masonic journey by joining. Membership is open to all Freemasons who have been Master Masons for at least four weeks.

” There is an indissoluble link between Craft Freemasonry and the Royal Arch”

Together they constitute ‘pure Ancient Masonry’, which consists of three degrees and no more, the Entered Apprentice, the Fellow Craft and the Master Mason, including the Supreme order of the Holy Royal Arch; the completion of Craft masonry.

An essential next step

It is the essential next step in Freemasonry for all Master Masons; the final part of the four-stage journey from Initiation to Exaltation. Whereby the Craft provides us with a set of eminently practical rules by which we can live our lives. However, man has an essential spiritual side to his nature and the Royal Arch provides that spiritual dimension.

The meetings are less frequent than those of a Craft Lodge and the joining fees are considerably less. Once in, you will enjoy the company of the many fellow-brethren who have already become Royal Arch Masons. They can be easily recognised by the distinctive and colourful jewel they wear in Lodge; the only non-Craft jewel permitted.

Members of the Royal Arch.

Craft Representative

Every Craft Lodge has a nominated representative, who is there to offer advice and answer any questions regarding Chapter Masonry.

Ultimately, the Craft and the Royal Arch conjointly take us through an absorbing journey of self- knowledge and self-discovery; the completion of ‘pure ancient masonry’. We welcome those who have not yet made that final step to join a Royal Arch Chapter, and encourage them to do so.

It is an interesting, colourful, and enjoyable Order.

Miniature Royal Arch-tracing board I JohnHarris1844 ©Museum of Freemasonry
Miniature Royal Arch-tracing board John Harris1844 ©Museum of Freemasonry
Provincial Grand Chapter Gloucestershire & Herefordshire Banner

One which recounts the story of the Hebrew exiles return to Jerusalem from their Babylonish captivity, so as to do their part in the rebuilding of a ruined city and temple devastated by war and left neglected and desolate for over 70 years. It focuses upon the exploits of just three of the many who returned.
Like Craft Masonry, the Royal Arch is open to men of all faiths, and a Craft Mason may join any Royal Arch Chapter once he has been a Master Mason for a month

The Royal Arch meets in Chapters rather than Lodges, and Chapters in Herefordshire join together with those in Gloucestershire in the Province of Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, and you can find out a lot more on their website.


Royal Arch Masonry is governed in England and Wales by the Supreme Grand Chapter, and there is more about the Order on their website.

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