Higher Orders in Freemasonry
For those who want to expand their Masonic knowledge there are a number of the Higher Orders which meet at St. Giles Centre, Colchester. There are different prerequisites for becoming members, so in each case the Secretary is the best point of contact.
United Order of the Temple and Hospital - Knights Templar
There are 24 Preceptories meeting within the Provincial Priory. The oldest of these, constituted and consecrated in 1929, is Maplestead Preceptory No. 256. It meets three times: 2nd Thursday in February, 2nd Wednesday in May and 1st Wednesday in September. Under the banner of Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta, there are two further meetings 1st Thursday in April and 2nd Thursday in November.
Order of the Secret Monitor
There are no Conclaves meeting at St. Giles, Colchester, but there are twelve meeting in the Province of Essex at Upminster, Southend-on-Sea, Chingford, Braintree, Harlow, Orsett Chelmsford and Wivenhoe
Red Cross of Constantine
The Masonic and Military Orders of The Red Cross of Constantine, The Holy Sepulchre and St. John the Evangelist meet at Colchester under the banner of the Milvian Bridge Conclave No. 429 and are one of nine meeting across Essex. At St. Giles Centre, RCC meet 2nd Saturday in March, 2nd Monday in June and 1st Friday in October.
Allied Masonic Degrees
There are eight Councils of the Allied Masonic Degrees of England, Wales and its Districts and Councils overseas which meet in the District of Essex. They meet regularly at Ilford, Southend-on-Sea (x2), Chelmsford, London, Wivenhoe, Harlow and Upminster. Closest is Wivenhoe Council No. 176.
Order of the Scarlet Cord
There are no Consistories which meet at Colchester, but four exist in the Province of Essex under the Constitution of the British Isles and Districts and Consistories Overseas. The Order meets at Orsett, Southend-on-Sea, Upminster and Harlow. For further information contact the Provincial Grand Recorder - John Simons.
The Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests and Order of Holy Wisdom
Knight Templar Priests (KTP) have 9 Tabernacles meeting in the District of Essex. Meeting at St.Giles is St. Cedd and St Peter Tabernacle No. 109 which was consecrated in 1984. The Order meet at Colchester 3rd Saturday in February (Installation), June and November. For information about KTP contact Mike George.
Royal Order of Scotland
The Royal Order of Scotland has two Lodges. One, The Provincial Grand Lodge of East Anglia meets peripatetically on 3 occasions: 1st Friday in April (Colchester), 3rd Friday in May (Newmarket) and Last Friday in September (Installation at Lowestoft). The second is the Provincial Grand Lodge of North Thames meeting at Saxon Hall, Southend-on-Sea, May, July and September.
Order of Royal and Select Masters
Colchester Council No. 142. Constitution: England, Wales and Districts and Councils overseas. One of nine councils meeting with the parent district of Essex. Meets third Thursday in February (Installation), May and October. For further details and enquiries consult the website of the Essex District of Royal & Select Masters.
Worshipful Society of Free Masons, Rough Masons, Slaters, Pavoirs, Plaisterers and Bricklayers (Operatives)
There are three Assemblage of Operative Masons, who meet in or near the Province of Essex. They meet at Saxon Hall, Southend-on-Sea, Diss and Bury St. Edmunds.
Societas Rosacriana in Anglia
There are no colleges of Societas Rosacriana in Anglia which meet in Colchester. They meet at Sudbury, Chingford and Harlow. For further information contact the Provincial Secretary.