Scottish Rite Masonry in Texas

Duane's take

The way the marker tells it, here's the story of Scottish Rite Masonry in Texas. It was born in 1867, right here in Galveston. One of the major systems of a celebrated Masonic fraternal organization, taking root in a city that was already no stranger to big ambitions and bigger storms.

The man who set it all in motion was Philip C. Tucker, the Deputy Inspector General of the Masons. Tucker read the charter establishing the San Felipe Lodge of Perfection.

That name came from San Felipe de Austin, the capital of the first Anglo-American colony in Texas. Not a bad name to carry. As Texas Masonry flourished, things kept building.

The L. M. Openheimer Charter of Rose Croix was organized in 1882.

Then the Pike-Tucker Council of Kadosh was granted a charter in 1898. And the very next year, 1899, the Texas Consistory No. 1 was established. Charter by charter, year by year, the organization grew into something that needed a home worthy of the name.

And in 1929, that home arrived. The present cathedral was dedicated, standing as the physical proof of everything those charters had promised. Galveston, 1867.

A lodge, a name, a charter read aloud. And from that, a cathedral.

What the marker says

Born in 1867 in Galveston. One of major systems of celebrated Masonic fraternal organization. Philip C. Tucker, the Deputy Inspector General of the Masons, read charter establishing "San Felipe Lodge of Perfection." It was named after San Felipe de Austin, capital of first Anglo-American colony in Texas. As Texas Masonry flourished, "L. M. Openheimer Charter of Rose Croix" was organized in 1882. "Pike-Tucker Council of Kadosh" was granted a charter in 1898. The "Texas Consistory No. 1" was established in 1899. The present cathedral was dedicated in 1929. (1970)