Serving the Christian Masonic tradition through honor, charity, leadership, and brotherhood.
Founded under the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America, the Minnesota Grand Commandery continues its mission to support the York Rite and uphold the tenets of our Order.
Who We Are
The Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Minnesota is a governing body for constituent Commanderies across the state. Our Sir Knights are committed to Christian fellowship, faithful leadership, and charitable service.
Integrity, Obedience, Courage
The purpose of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Minnesota is to provide guidance and support to the Commanderies and Sir Knights of Minnesota, under the oversight of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States, consistent with our core values, our Masonic traditions and the Christian faith.
The Knights Templar is a Christian-oriented fraternal organization that was founded in the 11th century. Originally, the Knights Templar were laymen who protected and defended Christians travelling to Jerusalem. These men took vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and were renowned for their fierceness and courage in battle.
Today, the Knights Templar display their courage and goodwill in other ways. They organize fund-raising activities such as breakfasts, dinners, dances, and flea markets. They support Masonic-related youth groups and they raise millions of dollars for medical research and educational assistance.
Currently, Templar membership consists of people from all walks of life, including doctors, lawyers, clergy, businessmen and entertainment personalities, all of whom profess a belief in the Christian Religion.
A Legacy of Service in Minnesota
The Commandery has served Minnesota’s Masonic and Christian communities for more than a century, with annual Grand Conclaves, leadership development, and spiritual engagement. Its officers and members continue working diligently to strengthen Commanderies across the state.
Our Values
• Honor – Upholding the highest standards of Christian knighthood
• Service – Supporting charitable initiatives across Minnesota
• Tradition – Preserving centuries‑old Masonic and Templar heritage
• Leadership – Guiding the next generation of Sir Knights
The Chivalric Orders
The Commandery confers Orders, not Degrees. The orders represent a new line of Masonic thought and experience, in that they no longer refer to Ancient Craft Masonry, but to ideals and practices of ancient chivalry and Christianity. The first Commandery order, The Order of The Red Cross, presents the story of the Jewish Prince, Zerubbabel, and his efforts to secure permission of the Persian King Darius to rebuild King Soloman’s Temple. The next order, Knight of Malta, is a departure from Masonry based on the Old Testament and is the first Christian Order. Here, the candidate represents a knightly warrior of the Crusades and is preparing for a trip to the Holy Land. The last order is that of Order of The Temple or Knight Templar, the crowning glory of York Rite Masonry. Again, in this totally Christian Order, the candidate represents a knightly warrior who desires to unite with a Commandery of Knights Templar during the era of the Crusades. After several trials to test his faith, courage, and humility, he is rewarded by achieving his desire. Let us look at these orders in more detail.
Order of the Red Cross
This order consists of two sections: (1) Zerubbabel’s (the candidate) admission to the Jewish Council at Jerusalem, in which he is granted permission and authority to travel to Babylon to obtain leave from King Darius to stop the enemies of the Jews from hindering their progress in building the Temple, as well as to recover the Holy Vessels of the Temple which were taken as booty to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar when he destroyed the First Temple. Zerubbabel is also given a sword to defend himself; a sash to remind him of his cause; and a password to get him by Jewish sentinels on his journey. Unfortunately, he is captured and made prisoner upon reaching the domains of King Darius. (2) At the court of Darius, Zerubbabel renews his earlier friendship with the King, and is granted a position in the royal household. He then participates in a friendly contest with other nobles regarding the question: ” Which is greater? The strength of wine? The power of the King? Or the influence of woman?” Zerubbabel chooses the latter, and adds an additional element: The force of truth. After rendering his rhetorical declamation on women and concluding in favor of truth above all, Zerubbabel is declared the winner of the contest and is granted his desires by the King. To perpetuate the event, Darius creates a new Order, the Order of The Red Cross, and after an obligation, makes Zerubbabel its first member. Next, Zerubbabel receives the signs, grips, and words, as well as a historical lecture. The body is called a Council. The cornerstone of this Order is the all-important attribute of truth, and the importance of keeping one’s word. It foreshadows the words of Jesus: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
Order of Malta
This Order consists of: The Order of St. Paul, or the Mediterranean Pass, which is somewhat preparatory to the order, and the Order of Malta itself. The Order of Malta must be conferred in either full or short form. The full form is quite intricate and very beautiful but is not conferred by all Commanderies. The short form is but a summary of the lessons taught in the full form, and this is what is described here. The Order of St. Paul is based on the story of Paul’s shipwreck on the island of Melita (Malta). The candidate represents a knight who is about to depart for the Crusades in the Holy Land. He receives sustenance, both spiritual and physical, to prepare him for his burdensome journey. The Order of Malta is a suitable preparation for the Order of the Temple, in that it provides the candidate with New Testament instruction, particularly in the eight Beatitudes. The symbol of the Order is the Maltese Cross, symbolic of the Beatitudes and the eight languages which once were spoken by its members. The candidate is made a Knight of Malta and is instructed in the words and signs specific to the Order. The body is called a Priory.
Order of the Temple
This Order begins with the candidate, a Knight of Malta, who, after much soul-searching reflection finds answers to certain questions and seeks to unite with a Commandery of Knights Templar. To test his faith, he is directed to perform a number of years of pilgrimage. Being full of zeal and hoping to accomplish more useful deeds, he requests and is granted remission. He assumes a most solemn obligation, and then is obligated to a certain number of years of knightly warfare, as a test of his courage and constancy. Having satisfactorily performed these, he is admitted to the Asylum of the Knights Templar, where he is a participant in certain memorial exercises. Accompanying these exercises is a reading of New Testament scripture and an inspirational slide presentation. He is then required to perform a time of penance in token of his humility. Following this, he seals his membership in the Order in the most solemn, impressive and binding manner, and is duly dubbed a member of the Valiant and Magnanimous Order of the Temple. Again, he receives certain signs, grips, and words, as well as an explanation of the important accoutrements of Templary, the Grand Standard, Baldric, Beauceant, Sword, and Spur. The body is called a Commandery. The relevance of this sublime Order to the Christian Mason can scarcely be overstressed. It provides a vivid connection between the Craft and Christianity. Especially relevant and meaningful is the address given by the Prelate during the course of the ceremonies.
A Knight Templar Commandery has 12 officers: Commander, Generalissimo, Captain General, Recorder, Treasurer, Prelate, Sr. Warden, Jr. Warden, Standard Bearer, Sword Bearer, Warder, and Sentinel. Some jurisdictions also have a Marshal. Members are referred to by each other as “Sir Knight”. At least 9 Knights must be present to open a Commandery. Commanderies usually meet monthly. The state governing body is the Grand Commandery. The national body, to which Grand Commanderies must belong, is the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America.
Programs and Activities
Origin of Our Grand Commandery
- The Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Minnesota will be celebrating its 150th anniversary. However, the history of Templary in Minnesota predates the formation of the Grand Commandery by at least a decade, when a group of Sir Knights petitioned the Grand Encampment for dispensation to establish Damascus Commandery in Saint Paul, Minnesota. During these formative years, three other Commanderies were granted dispensation, Zion Commandery in Minneapolis, Couer De Lion Commandery in Winona, and Mankato Commandery in Mankato. These four Commanderies met in Saint Paul on Monday, October 23, 1865, to form the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Minnesota. Authority for this occasion, was granted by Heruy L Palmer, then Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America.
If one reaches further back in time, the Grand Encampment was formed only a half century before in 1816. Still further into the dim reaches of time, today’s Knights Templar may trace their heritage to the valiant and chivalric orders of knighthood so intimately tied to the Crusades.
The journey back into time does not stop there, however. The hearts of all Knights Templar are deeply rooted in Freemasonry, one of the oldest and most honorable institutions in the world. It is significant to note that all Knights Templar are Freemasons, but conversely, that all “Freemasons” are not Knights Templar. At first, this may seem a bit paradoxical; the following comments are offered in explanation.
The foundation of Freemasonry is the Blue Lodge. The Blue Lodge, in Minnesota, is a “York Rite Lodge” organized in a manner that consists of three York Rite degrees through which a candidate must pass to be accepted into membership. These degrees begin with Entered Apprentice, progress through Fellow Craft, and culminate with Master Mason. This progression can be compared with the stages through which craftsmen in the various trades advance from apprentice through journeyman to master. Masonry communicates its teachings and philosophies through allegorical portrayals and interpretations of these stages, equating them to the process in which one strives to achieve high moral goals in life. All candidates must complete the three aforementioned degrees before they may become members of the Masonic fraternity.
Additional stages of Masonic education may occur after the completion of the Blue Lodge degrees. The candidate may choose between two avenues or Rites in his advancement and education: the York Rite or Scottish Rite. Each of these Rites, consist of a number of degrees, similar to the format of the Blue Lodge. The Master Mason may continue his education in York Rite Masonry by continuing on through the next three York Rite Bodies, which each comprise a number of degrees or “Orders”. The first four degrees after the Blue Lodge comprise the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, three degrees comprise the Council of Cryptic Masons, and three “orders” comprise the Commandery of Knights Templar.
The Scottish Rite consists of 32 degrees, (a 33rd degree is conferred as a special honor to recognize exemplary dedication and service).
The Commandery has the unique distinction within the framework of Masonry of being founded upon the principles of the Christian religion and the practice of Christian virtues. With the exception of the work in the first of the orders, the Order of Red Cross, the Order of Malta and the Order of the Temple are directly structured upon the lessons contained within the New Testament. Thereby, the Knights of Malta and the Knights Templar trace their origins to the Crusades and the circumstances regarding the period of history surrounding the pilgrimages to the Holy Sepulcher.
In marking the event of this 150th year of the Grand Commandery in Minnesota, the topic of its history deserves special note. This is a time to look back with reverence for an illustrious heritage. It is also a time to look forward with great expectations for the future. The chapters contained in this history are intended to chronicle significant events and to tell of hopes and aspirations, of successes and failures, of joys and disappointments, and of encouragement and chastisements. Above all, however, they are intended to celebrate the pride which one feels as a Minnesota Knight Templar.
Leadership
Sir Knight Marvin W. Schendel, KCT
Right Eminent Grand Commander
Sir Knight Clinton J. Christensen, KTCH, KTC
Very Eminent Deputy Grand Commander
Sir Knight John E. Helcl II, GPE, KCT
Eminent Grand Generalissimo
Sir Knight Philip Bodle
Eminent Grand Captain General
Sir Knight James Henderson, KCT
Eminent Grand Senior Warden
Sir Knight Scott Wood
Eminent Grand Junior Warden
Sir Knight David Dumonceaux, PGC, KTCH, KTC
Eminent Grand Prelate
Sir Knight Foster Solem
Assistant Grand Prelate
Sir Knight Shawn Carrick
Assistant Grand Prelate
Sir Knight Michael Hilgert
Eminent Grand Treasurer
Sir Knight Al Mackenzie, PGC, KTCH, KTC
Eminent Grand Recorder
Sir Knight Joel Porter
Eminent Grand Standard Bearer
Sir Knight Tony Heimer
Eminent Grand Sword Bearer
Sir Knight James Helms, GPE
Eminent Grand Warder
Sir Knight Edward Gerwill
Eminent Grand Sentinel
Sir Knight Justin Brown
Grand Organist
Sir Knight Ray Hayward, PGC, KTC
Grand Commandery Education Officer
Sir Knight Dean Monroe
Division Commander
Sir Knight William H. Gunther, Jr.
Division Commander
Sir Knight Aaron Boltjes
Division Commander
Sir Knight Anthony Heimer, KTCH
Division Commander
Sir Knight David P. Sarazin
Division Commander
Sir Knight Scott Giannone, KTCH
Division Commander
Become a Knight Templar
Membership is open to Christian Master Masons who have completed the Chapter and Council degrees of the York Rite.