The Passing of Sir Knight Jim Piper, PC, KYCH

We regret to announce the passing of Brother, Companion, and Sir Knight James P. Piper.

Jim's funeral is being held Friday at the David C Brown Funeral Home, 460 E Huron River Dr, Belleville, MI 48111. The Commandery service will be held at 6:30pm (fall in at 5:45pm) with the Lodge service to follow at 7:00pm. Any Sir Knight wishing to take part should arrive in uniform with sword as close to 5:45 as possible.

His obituary can be found here: https://www.davidcbrownfh.com/obituary/james-piper

Jim served with distinction as presiding officer of each of the Ann Arbor York Rite bodies and was received as a Knight of the York Cross of Honour in recognition of his service to the York Rite.

Jim was a man defined by his fervency, zeal, compassion, and counsel. His dedication to our craft was undoubtable and the impact he had on his brothers is immeasurable. He will be sorely missed.

Ann Arbor's Grand Masonic Temple Covered on Mlive.com

It's a real tragedy that this work of art was taken from us, but we'd like to thank The Ann Arbor News’s Ryan Stanton for putting together such a great article with a wide assortment of old pictures of our once grand masonic temple.

Visit from Grand Chapter and Most Excellent Companion Charles Robertson from Illinois

It was wonderful to have Most Excellent Companion Robertson out for a visit to our chapter, along with two of our own Grand Chapter officers. And while attendance was light due to many of our members taking part in Bro. Tom Kendall's masonic service, it was a great time of fellowship, and we look forward to meeting again sometime soon.

St. John Baptist's Day

Please register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/st-john-baptists-day-tickets-449810263607

While sorting through the archives of Ann Arbor Commandery No. 13, Knights Templar we came across an 1882 copy of our by-laws, and after noting how thick the text seemed, we found that in the back was a special ritual for observing St. John the Baptist Day. The ritual was produced by three of our members, two of which were clergymen, and includes elements standard to English liturgical worship along with prayers unique to the Knights Templar. We do not know how long this ritual was performed or when it fell out of use, but this year we'd like to present it to our fellow Sir Knights, and the public as a whole.

The event will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2023, and will begin at 4pm at the Zal Gaz Grotto with the Ann Arbor-Fraternity Lodge No. 262, F&AM & St. Mary’s Lodge No. 4, F&AM PHA Table Lodge to follow. You can purchase tickets for the table lodge at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/st-marys-and-aaf-262-third-annual-joint-table-lodge-tickets-618458394707

Dress will be templar uniform with sword or business, with ladies in Sunday best.