Traces of the Masonic Knights-Templar rites were first
found in England in the 1760s, and in many cases appear to
have been worked in Royal Arch Chapters. Despite the
insertion of the words "including the degrees of orders of
chivalry" in the Act of Union of the two Grand Lodges in
1813, the Knights Templar ceremonies appeared to have
ceased operations until the end of the eighteenth century
when attempts to build a Convent General incorporating
England Ireland and Scotland ceased.
Each of the Sovereign bodies reverted to independence and
as far as England is concerned, the order is controlled by
the Grand Priory of England.
The full title of the order is "The United Religious,
Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple and of St.John of
Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta, in England and
Wales and Provinces Overseas".
The Ceremonies are (1) Knight of the Temple (Knight
Templar), (2a) Knight of St.Paul or Mediterranean Pass,
(2b) Knight of Malta. The Knights Templar Preceptory holds
a Priory of the Knights of Malta, which conducts the latter
ceremonies. The entry requirements are: Craft Master Mason,
Royal Arch Mason, and a belief in the Trinitarian
faith.
The Knights Templar degree had previously been worked in
Jersey between 1795 and 1837, although no records exist of
the bodies undertaking the degree. The St.Helier Preceptory
was consecrated at the Masonic Temple, Jersey on the 25th
September 1936.
Knights Templar Priests
The Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests
(usually referred to as KTP) was under the control
of the Allied Masonic Degrees in its early days.
The Grand College was formed in Newcastle in 1923 and the
order has seen steady growth since that time.
The organising Secretary of this order in Jersey was
Kt.Pt.David Piczenik, who had been responsible for the
introduction or re-introduction of several orders into the
Channel Islands. The founders were Jersey residents
assisted by a number of enthusiastic brethren from the
mainland. There were 21 founders of the new tabernacle,
which was consecrated on Saturday 30th September 1989.