The York Rite is the other major concordant body of Freemasonry in which a Master Mason may proceed to supplement or amplify the Craft Degrees, affording historical background on the work and meaning of Freemasonry.
The York Rite takes its name from the old English city of York. It is said that Athelstan, a British king, was converted to Christianity in York and that he granted the original charter to the mason’s guilds in that city nearly a thousand years ago.
Within the York Rite, a Master Mason may become a member of three bodies — Chapter of Royal Arch Masons is the first of these and has 4 Separate Degrees one must attain to become a full member. One cannot join the other two bodies without joining the Royal Arch first.
Anoka Shekinah “#52” was originally chartered in 1888 but was dissolved during WWI around 1917. In 2009 the members of Anoka lodge and a few others from surrounding lodges decided to bring back Royal Arch Masonry to the area and under dispensation began holding meetings and forming their officer core. It took until June of 2012 but finally there was once again the 1st of the York Rite bodies at Anoka Lodge. With this new creation of the Chapter, we were not grated our old number but instead were granted number #104.
Anoka Shekinah has since thrived and began doing events and charity work in the community, supporting not only our Grand Chapter Charity of RARA (Royal Arch Resource Assistance) but Granny’s Closet Locally.
