Ann Arbor York Rite
News
We had a fantastic turnout at yesterday's 2026 Michigan Ingathering! Thank you to our degree teams and the tireless efforts of our Right Venerable Brother, Christopher Potts, Grand Superintendent of Michigan.
And congratulations to our Past Sovereign Master, Donald Wilson on receiving the Knight Commander of the Red Branch of Eri!
On behalf of the Michigan Knights Templar Education Committee, St. George Commandery No. 52 presented a scholarship to our very own Sir Knight Benjamin Flag who is living up that way these days.
Hello Companions & Sir Knights
As you may have heard our May meeting falls on the same day as Grand Lodge so we are allowed to push it to the following month.
We will not be having a meeting in May but we will be having dinner to celebrate the newly installed brothers.
Who: You and your family
What: Dinner with your fellow companions, Sir Knights, and their family
Where: Aubree's (2122 Whittaker Rd, Ypsilanti, MI 48197)
When: May 18th at 6pm
This dinner will be split into separate checks so you will have to pay for you and your guests. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Please respond to Dakota Legge (dakotalegge@gmail.com) by Friday May 15th!
Thanks,
Dakota Legge
High Priest - Washtenaw Chapter #6, RAM of MI
Commander - Ann Arbor Commandery #13, KT of MI
Congratulations to Past Commander of Ann Arbor Commandery No. 13, Knights Templar, Charles "Woody" Woodrum on receiving the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Michigan Meritorious Service Award. This prestigious and well-deserved honor honor was presented by our Right Eminent Grand Commander, Adam Wygant this evening at the inspection of Monroe Commandery No. 19, KT where Woody currently serves as Eminent Commander.
Congratulations to the 2026 officers of Union Council No. 11, R&SM, and our newest Thrice Illustrious Master, Nudal Zakhim.
Congratulations to Ann Arbor Commandery No. 13, Knights Templar on earning a Beauceant Ribbon and Certificate of Merit by the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Michigan for the first time in many years.
Congratulations to the Sir Knights of Ann Arbor Commandery No. 13, Knights Templar on a successful inspection. And thank you to our Very Eminent Deputy Grand Commander and his staff for attending, as well as the Sir Knights literally from across the state who came to assist.
There’s a mystery afoot at our old Masonic Temple. A recent article in the Ann Arbor Observer asks: What's going on with that boarded-up building on S. Main? Work started. Then it stopped, and nothing on the boarded-up exterior explains why.
Learn more at: https://annarborobserver.com/masonic-mystery
Following the Installation of Officers of Ann Arbor Commandery, our incoming, and outgoing Eminent Commanders along with the Recorder of Arbor Commandery had the honor of presenting another Knights Templar Educational Foundation scholarship grant check to Ms. Katherine Ellis of Ann Arbor. This is the 5th scholarship Ms. Ellis has received from the Knights Templar Educational Foundation, and we’re proud to have supported her through her career at the University of Michigan.
Congratulations to the newly installed officers of Ann Arbor Commandery No. 13, Knights Templar and the Dodransbicentennial Officers of Washtenaw Chapter No. 6, Royal Arch Masons, along with Eminent Commander and Excellent High Priest, Nudal Zakhim.
Thank you to everyone who came out for our Mark Master Mason Degree last night, especially our dedicated officers, our Grand Royal Arch Captain, Scott Blanchard, and our Grand High Priest, Thomas Black.
And congratulations to our three newest Mark Master Masons, James Ryckman, Scott Kuzma, and Worshipful Master of Phoenix Lodge No. 13, F&AM, Jerry Taylor.
Congratulations to the 2025 officers of Union Council No. 11, R&SM, and our newest Thrice Illustrious Master, Jonathan Worthy.
Thank you to Sir Knight Brandon Mullins, PC, OC for getting our original 1800s Commander's Jewel framed, now that a replacement has been made, and to Parrish Fine Framing & Art in Nickels Arcade for the great work they did framing it.
Congratulations to the Sir Knights of Ann Arbor Commandery No. 13, Knights Templar on a successful inspection. And thank you to our inspecting officer and his staff for attending, as well as the Sir Knights from Monroe Commandery who came to assist.
We regret to inform you of the passing of Brother, Companion, and Sir Knight, Jim Peters. Jim will never be forgotten by all those who knew and loved him. We were privileged to count Jim as part of our family. Our hearts go out to Jayne.
His obituary is as follows:
James Lewis Peters, age 93, of Alma passed away Thursday, October 3, 2024, at Masonic Pathways. He was born June 27, 1931, in Gordonville, Missouri the son of Willie and Edna (Lewis) Peters. He married Betty Leevy, a blessed union of many years, until her passing in 2002. He later married M. Jayne Williams.
James proudly served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, stationed in Germany. After his honorable discharge he earned his degree as a Speech Therapist and worked for several area Washtenaw County schools. He was a 65-year member of the Masonic Lodge and enjoyed hunting.
James is survived by his wife, Jayne Peters of Alma; his son, Lee (Sue) Peters of Simsbury, CT; three grandchildren, Zachary, Allyson, Leah; two great-grandchildren, Stella, Cove; two stepsons, Butch (Cindy) Ewing, Thomas (Anna) Ewing; and a brother, Walter (Linda) Peters.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty; his parents and seven siblings.
Cremation has taken place with a celebration of life to be held on Sunday, October 27th at 2 pm at Doig Chapel, Masonic Pathways. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Shriner's Children Hospital or Masonic Eye Foundation.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Lux-Moody-Wolfel Funeral Home, Alma.
You can find more information at: https://www.luxfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/James-Lewis-Peters?obId=33283027
As Excellent High Priest of Washtenaw Chapter #6 I want to Congratulate Jonathan Tackett on becoming a Royal Arch Mason today in Reed City Royal Arch Degree Day. Companion Jonathan Congratulations again I hope the journey was all you expected and more Congratulations 🎈🍾🎉 🍾🎉🔥🔥
Our Eminent Commander, Charles "Woody" Woodrum was presented with our newly cast Eminent Commander's Jewel today at the 168th Annual Conclave of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Michigan. After over a century and a half of use, Ann Arbor Commandery No. 13, KT has decided to retire our original jewel, and had The Masters Craft produce this replica out of the same material as the original, solid silver.
The original will be put on display in a shadowbox for all to see.
The new Commandery Jewel for Ann Arbor Commandery No. 13, Knights Templar has arrived. The team at The Masters Craft have outdone themselves. A more detailed post on this jewel and the history of its design is forthcoming. In the meantime, if you are a member of Ann Arbor Commandery and did not receive a Commandery Jewel at your knighting or a following meeting please reach out to our Recorder to receive one.
It was great receiving visitors from both the Most Excellent Prince Hall Grand Chapter HRAM of Michigan and our own Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Michigan last night. It was a wonderful evening of fellowship and unity.
Following the Installation of Officers of Ann Arbor Commandery, our incoming, and outgoing Eminent Commanders along with the Recorder of Arbor Commandery had the honor of presenting another Knights Templar Educational Foundation scholarship grant check to Ms. Katherine Ellis of Ann Arbor. Ms. Ellis is a Senior at the University of Michigan's College of Engineering where she is majoring in Chemical Engineering. This is the 4th scholarship Ms. Ellis has received from the Knights Templar Educational Foundation, and we’re proud to have supported her through her undergraduate career at the University of Michigan. In addition to the scholarship, Ms. Ellis was presented with an Ann Arbor Commandery commemorative coin.
