Knights of the York Cross of Honour is a honorary group of York Rite Masons who are dedicated to serving the Masonic Fraternity as a Labor of Love. No individual should aspire to membership in KYCH, when he has done the required work, and done it well, he will be invited to membership. Those who labor properly will be rewarded by being invited.
Membership in the Knights of the York Cross of Honour cannot be applied for, it cannot be bought or sought. In order to be considered for membership, a proposed candidate must have served as:
- Worshipful Master of a Masonic Lodge
- High Priest of a Royal Arch Chapter
- Illustrious Master of a Council of Royal and Select Masters
- Eminent Commander of a Commandery of Knights Templar
The meaning of membership in K.Y.C.H. can best be explained by a closing statement of Most Eminent Knight Donald E. Friend, Grand Master General, at his Convent General Session in 1995, “As a Knight of the York Cross of Honour, you are a proven servant of the Masonic Fraternity, your inspiration has come from your Past, your duty is in the present, your Hope is in the future, I ask you always to remember—In all you do, In all you say, In all of your actions, take a good look at yourself, you are someone’s impression of Freemasonry “.
| History of the Formation of the Order |
| The formation of the Order, Knights of the York Cross of Honour (KYCH), was in Monroe, North Carolina on March 13, 1930. The idea of this organization was conceived by John Raymond Shute II, of Monroe, NC. On March 13, 1930, he called together in his hometown, four qualified brethren, namely, Walter E. Crowell Jr., Edward Allen, Lee Griffin, and S. Henry Green. They discussed an idea presented to them by Brother Shute – that a group of past presiding officers of the four York Rite bodies be formed. Another meeting was held on May 20, 1930, attended by additional qualified brethren, and Lily of the Valley Priory No. 1, Knights of the York Cross of Honour was formed. On June 6, 1930, again at Monroe, NC, the Convent General KYCH was formed. Since starting in 1930 with one Priory, KYCH has grown to eighty-four Priories in 2013. The total number of Knights admitted to the Order since its founding is over 36,000 with some 12,000 still members of the Order today. |
