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This section has been completely revised and is intended to keep the Scottish Rite Members informed on the Birthplace
of the Scottish Rite of FREEMASONRY, Southern Jurisdiction USA.
The following information has been gathered from past issues of
the Scottish Rite Journals along with additional "NEW"
information received from Ill:. Brother McDonald “Don”
Burbidge, 33°, Historian for Charleston, and is presented
here for your information:
Since the Supreme Council was formed in Charleston on May 31, 1801, we elected to return there in commemoration of the 200th
anniversary of that event. The program began on Sunday afternoon, September 30, 2001, with an ecumenical church service at the newly
constructed Convention Center, North Charleston, followed by the public greeting and reception of the Grand Commander for attending
Masonic leaders from around the world. In the late afternoon, a Scottish Rite exhibit formally opened at the Charleston Museum in
downtown Charleston, which was followed by a reception in the museum.
Planning had been in progress for several years for celebration of the 2001 Biennial Meeting of the Supreme Council and the 200th
Anniversary of the Supreme Council at the same time in the city of origin, Charleston, South Carolina, from Sunday, September 30 through
Wednesday, October 3, 2001. Since its formal beginning in May 1801, the Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction, Mother Council of the
World, has seen the establishment of more than 40 additional regular Supreme Councils located around the world. A large number of
these Supreme Councils were represented in Charleston and joined us in the celebration. In fact, this was one of the largest gatherings of
Masonic dignitaries and leaders ever seen.
The Supreme Council last met in Charleston in 1924. Ill:. H. Wallace Reid, 33°, S. G. I. G. in South Carolina, ably assisted by Ill:. Brothers
Jesse Branham, Richard Wooden, Charles Frampton, and many other Brethren stepped in to handle the hundreds of details in support of
this major meeting. Ill:. Brother Reid must be given credit as the head lobbyist for promoting Charleston as the site for these events and
never wavered in his enthusiasm for hosting it.
Reprinted with permission of the Scottish Rite Journal, January 2000
Birthplace of the Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction,
USA - May 31, 1801 Charleston South Carolina
Please note that this SECTION is under Heavy Construction and will be
added to when PORTIONS are completed! Please check back to see what
has been added!
Thank You
Copyrighted © 2017, Orient of California, all rights reserved