The Valley of Philadelphia

Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite

Pennsylvania Freemasonry's "Best Kept Secret"

Fraternal Greetings and Welcome

Welcome to the Masonic and non-Masonic visitor to the web site of the Scottish Rite Bodies in the Valley of Philadelphia. We hope you will enjoy your visit with us today and will take the time to sign our Guest Book to let us know you were here.

Our Mission Statement

"We are a Masonic organization that is a living, growing body of 32º Masons committed to attracting men of good character by providing effective leadership, active membership and family involvement, through an exemplary organization, prudent financial planning and charitable opportunities."

Standards and Practices

The Reunions of the Valley of Philadelphia are held in the Fall and the Spring on the third Friday of the months of March, April, October, November, December, and the second Friday in the month of May. The Annual Meeting for the election and installation of the Officers is held on the third Friday in May. The Scottish Rite Bodies meet in Gothic Hall of the beautiful Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2520.

Our Office

The Scottish Rite Office is located on the third floor of the Masonic Temple. The Office is open from 8:30 A.M. until 4:30 P.M., Monday through Friday. If the Masonic Temple is closed, the Scottish Rite Office is closed. The Scottish Rite Office can be reached 24 hours a day, either by telephone: 215-563-1814, toll free: 866-834-3432, fax: 215-564-3100, or by email: phila.aasr@juno.com

What is the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite?

The Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite is one of two branches in Freemasonry in which a Master Mason may proceed after he has completed the three Degrees of Symbolic or "Blue Lodge" Masonry. The other branch known as the York Rite, consists of the Royal Arch Chapter, the Council of Royal and Select Master Masons and the Knights Templar. The Symbolic or Craft Lodge of which all regular Freemasons must belong, is the first body in the York Rite.

The use of the word "Scottish" has led many Masons and non-Masons to believe that the Rite orginated in Scotland. When actually, the first reference to the Rite appears in old French records where the word "Ecossias," meaning "Scottish" is found. The original 25 so called "higher degrees' which flourished in France during the 18th Century, came to be known as "The Rite of Perfection." The first "Ecossais" Lodge, Parfaite Harmonie was organized in Bordeaux, France in 1740. These Degrees were brought to the West Indies under Patent granted by Masonic authorities in Paris, in the 1760's by Stephen Morin. Before the end of the 18th Century, other Degrees were added until the Rite had a ritual structure of 33 Degrees.

Morin, deputized Henry A. Francken to organize a Lodge of Perfection in Albany, New York in 1767. This was the beginning of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in the United States. Within a few years, groups were formed in Baltimore, Charleston, New York City, Philadelphia, Savannah and Troy. Each was independent with little official supervision, except to agree that their authority came from Stephen Morin.

The Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in the United States began on May, 31, 1801 with the formation of the Supreme Council of the Thirty-third Degree for the United States of America. This Supreme Council, the first in the world was founded in Charleston, South Carolina. This was done to bring order out of chaos. This brought forth the Scottish Rite Motto: "Ordo ab Chao." The Supreme Council, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction was organized in New York City in 1813. This Supreme Council is now headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts. The former Supreme Council in Charleston, became known as, The Supreme Council, 33º, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction, and is now headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Scottish Rite Bodies are grouped in a "Valley." A Valley usually consists of four Bodies; a Lodge of Perfection (4º-14º), a Council of Princes of Jerusalem (15º & 16º), a Chapter of Rose Croix (17º & 18º) and a Consistory (19º-32º). Each of the Bodies is an independent organization in itself. Each is seperately officered, and has full control of the Degrees in its structure.

Scottish Rite Degrees provide a better understanding of the meaning of Freemasonry and its basic principles through the use of drama. The Degrees emphasize time-tested moral lessons and virtues which make man worthwhile and the world a better place to live. The teachings of Scottish Rite are based upon truths, which have been studied through the ages by Masonic characters and leaders. The Rite is willing to share its knowledge with those Brethren who become Members of the Valley. Scottish Rite membership will enlarge your circle of of Masonic aquaintances. Through its benevolence, it not only assists the Members in distress, but has established programs designed to benefit all mankind. Long an international organization, the Rite continues to work for better understanding among nations and a just and peaceful world.

The Double-Headed Eagle

The Double-Headed Eagle of Lagash is the oldest Royal Crest in the world. No heraldic bearing, no emblematic device of today can boast such antiquity. It was in use a thousand years before the Exodus from Egypt and more than 2,000 years before the building of King Solomon's Temple. So far as is known, the Double-Headed Eagle was first used in Freemasonry in 1758 by a Masonic Body in Paris. The Emperors of the East and West controlled the advanced Degrees then in use and became a precursor of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite.

Membership in the Valley of Philadelphia

New Membership is our first priority in the Valley of Philadelphia. We believe it when we say that our Valley is Pennsylvania Freemasonry's "Best  Kept Secret," and welcome all Philadelphia region Brethren to petition for Degrees and Membership. For a printable petition, click here.

The requisite qualifications for the Scottish Rite Degrees are, that the petitioner shall be an affiliated Master Mason in good standing. His Lodge Membership does not have to be in Pennsylvania, although it must be in a Jurisdiction in Fraternal Amity with the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Free and Accepted Masons.

The Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite Bodies in the Valley of Philadelphia is not only PHILADELPHIA COUNTY, but every other County in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania where there are no Scottish Rite Bodies of the same grade. It is a decided advantage to the applicant to petition the Bodies nearest or most convenient to his home as he can then attend the Reunions and enjoy the fellowship and privileges that rightfully belong to him as a Member.

Learn more about the Scottish Rite and the Valley of Philadelphia

This web site for Scottish Rite Bodies in the Valley of Philadelphia, was built and is kept current by Ill. Steven A. Morrison, 33º. Its purpose is to inform the non-Masonic visitor of the nature and workings of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of the Masonic Fraternity and to inform its Membership and other Members of the Masonic Family of upcoming events and programs within the Valley.

Copyright © 2009-2010 (Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Philadelphia) All rights reserved. Revised: May 19, 2009