I attended Supreme Grand Chapter on Wednesday 12 November 2025, at Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen Street, London. Readers of this blog might be a bit surprised to hear that this is in fact the first time I have done so!
Note: When reading this blog please be aware this is a quick report from memory written by someone sitting at the back. If you require any clarification please check for details from official sources.
For me, the Royal Arch is of great value and thus I was very happy to be there. I always find the Pro First Grand Principal Jonathan Spence to be an inspiring speaker and this occasion was no exception. We heard about growing membership and interest in Royal Arch Masonry and in a rare and uncharacteristic “No because” moment, we were reassured that although we are one organisation, the Royal Arch ritual would not be performed in Craft lodges in the future. The reasons given were that firstly, after over 200 years of unity, we shouldn’t do anything that could restart the whole Antients vs. Moderns schism again, but furthermore, England obviously has many Royal Arch chapters already existent and specialising in this beautiful ceremony. To me this is now a traditional part of English Masonry.
Following on from this was an announcement from Matt Hampson the President of the Committee of General Purposes stating that Supreme Grand Chapter would be transferring all their assets (over five million pounds worth of them) to the United Grand Lodge of England to be used as part of a new fund to help restore improve and beautify Masonic Halls around the country. I thought this was very good and most appropriate for an organisation whose ceremony is based on rebuilding the temple!
Then finally we had an interesting presentation on the Masonic Housing Association by Oliver Lodge. I had heard of the organisation, but had no idea how much they did and how many locations they governed. I must say it was fantastic to see a Cameo on the video presentation by Provincial Grand Master of Northamptonshire Mark Constant.
Afterwards, I was kindly invited to join the same province for lunch in the Old Board Room under the watchful gaze of the Seven Liberal Arts from the stained glass window.
That reminds me, I had better pay for that meal!