Scottish Rite Supreme Council of the Thirty-Third Degree for the Southern Jurisdiction

The Scottish Rite Supreme Council of the Thirty-Third Degree for the Southern Jurisdiction is the governing body of Scottish Rite Freemasonry in the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States. Founded in May 1801 in Charleston, South Carolina, at Shepheard's Tavern, it is recognized as the first Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite and is often called the Mother Supreme Council of the World. Its official full name is "The Supreme Council (Mother Council of the World) of the Inspectors General Knights Commander of the House of the Temple of Solomon of the Thirty-third Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry of the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of America." The Supreme Council oversees the Scottish Rite in 35 states, while the remaining 15 states fall under the independent Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. It is one of five Supreme Councils in the United States, alongside the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, the Supreme Council of Louisiana, and two Prince Hall Affiliated Supreme Councils. The Supreme Council consists of no more than 33 members, led by a Sovereign Grand Commander, with other members titled Sovereign Grand Inspectors General. Membership in the Supreme Council requires attaining the 32° of the Scottish Rite; the 33° is an honorary degree conferred on a select few. The organization operates a wide range of programs, including RiteCare Childhood Language Program, Scottish Rite for Children, disaster relief grants, scholarships, and JROTC/ROTC programs. It maintains the House of the Temple in Washington, D.C., which serves as its headquarters, museum, and library. The Supreme Council publishes the Scottish Rite Journal and supports the Scottish Rite Research Society. Through its foundations, it engages in philanthropic and educational activities. The Southern Jurisdiction continues to be a central institution in American Freemasonry, preserving the traditions and rituals of the Scottish Rite while adapting to modern membership and charitable needs.

The Supreme Council, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction, USA, was founded in May 1801 in Charleston, South Carolina, at Shepheard's Tavern on the corner of Broad and Church Streets. The tavern had previously been the site of the founding of Freemasonry in South Carolina in 1754. The founders, known as "The Eleven Gentlemen of Charleston," included John Mitchell, Frederick Dalcho, Alexandre Francois Auguste de Grasse (Comte de Grasse-Tilly), Jean-Baptiste Marie de La Hogue, Thomas Bartholemew Bowen, Abraham Alexander, Emanuel de la Motta, Isaac Auld, Israel de Lieben, Moses Clava Levy, and James Moultrie. John Mitchell had received a patent on April 2, 1795, from Barend Moses Spitzer granting him authority as Deputy Inspector General to create a Lodge of Perfection and several Councils and Chapters. He served as the first Grand Commander of the Supreme Council. Frederick Dalcho was a physician and orator who published the first edition of Ahiman Rezon in 1807. Alexandre Francois Auguste de Grasse, the youngest founder, was the eldest legitimate son of Admiral François Joseph Paul de Grasse; after Napoleon came to power, he returned to France and established the Supreme Council of France and councils in other European cities. The Supreme Council claims that all other Supreme Councils and Subordinate Bodies of the Scottish Rite are derived from it, although some degrees were practiced before its organization. It is sometimes called the Mother Supreme Council of the World. The Supreme Council oversees the Scottish Rite in 35 states, while the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction covers the other 15 states. It is one of five Supreme Councils in the United States. The Supreme Council consists of no more than 33 members, presided over by a Sovereign Grand Commander. Other members are Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, each head of the Rite in his respective Orient (state). To join the Supreme Council, one must attain the 32° of the Scottish Rite; the 33° is honorary. The Southern Jurisdiction has been active in philanthropy, operating the RiteCare Childhood Language Program, Scottish Rite for Children, and providing scholarships and disaster relief. Its headquarters, the House of the Temple, is located in Washington, D.C., and serves as a museum and library. The Supreme Council publishes the Scottish Rite Journal and supports the Scottish Rite Research Society.

• 1807

  Frederick Dalcho published the first edition of Ahiman Rezon.

• 1801

  Founded in May at Shepheard's Tavern in Charleston, South Carolina, by the Eleven Gentlemen of Charleston.

• 1795

  John Mitchell received a patent on April 2 from Barend Moses Spitzer granting authority as Deputy Inspector General.

The governing body of Scottish Rite Freemasonry in the Southern Jurisdiction, dedicated to fellowship, education, and philanthropy.

• RiteCare Childhood Language Program

  Provides diagnostic and treatment services for children with speech and language disorders.

• Scottish Rite for Children

  Pediatric orthopedic and sports medicine hospital.

• Scottish Rite Journal

  Official publication of the Supreme Council.

1. 1Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, S.J., U.S.A. | The Supreme Council, 33°scottishrite.org
2. 2History of the Rite | Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, S.J., U.S.A.scottishrite.org
3. 3History of the Temple | Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, S.J., U.S.A.scottishrite.org
4. 4Contact Us | Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, S.J., U.S.A.scottishrite.org
5. 5Supreme Council, Scottish Rite (Southern Jurisdiction, USA) - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
6. 6Scottish Rite Supreme Council of the Thirty-Third Degree for the Southern Jurisdiction - Wikidatawikidata.org