A Court of Chevaliers may be formed with the authorization of the
Executive Officer on either a jurisdictional, regional or Chapter level.
The Court must be made up entirely of Chevaliers. All Chevaliers should
be active, in that they have participated in their last observance and
have mailed the required observance report to the Service and Leadership
Center.
The Court may elect the following officers:
- Commander
- Commander in the West
- Commander in the South
- Marshal
- Chaplain
- Secretary
The function of the Court is to confer the Degree of Chevalier on those
named by DeMolay International's Supreme Council and to aid in all areas
where DeMolay may be furthered through the participation of Chevaliers.
In receiving the Chevalier degree, all Chevaliers have been obligated to
perpetual service to DeMolay, and they should keep this uppermost in mind.
The following are examples of areas where a Court may work:
- Sponsor and maintain an annual Chapter Membership Contest and
assist with jurisdictional membership programs.
- Conduct installations when needed.
- Assist in the judging of ritual, athletic or similar competitions.
- Promote better understanding of the Order through presentations
of history and ideals on the Chapter level.
- Be active in the area of extension, so that new Chapters may be
formed and membership increased.
- Assist and encourage visitations among DeMolay Chapters.
- Help out at jurisdictional conclaves and conventions.
The Court should plan an annual observance and invite all the Chevaliers
within its area of responsibility.
Sample bylaws for Chevalier Courts are found in the appendix of the
DeMolay International Bylaws, Rules and Regulations.
Brief History of the Chevalier Degree:
In the early 1930's DeMolay founder Frank S. Land had been thinking of
an honor he could bestow on DeMolays and Senior DeMolays for outstanding
service to the Order. He wanted to honor them now, instead of waiting
for them to be nominated for the Legion of Honor in years to come. He
also wanted to honor Senior DeMolays who had been working with chapters
even though they were not Masons, but had performed outstanding service
to the Order.
In those days, DeMolay was recognized by only about 50% of the Grand
Lodges, consequently many Senior DeMolays were active in chapters due
to the lack of Masonic support. In November of 1936, "DAD" Land,
assisted by Harold Bergstresser and John McKibben, proceeded to write
a Ritual for the conferral of the Chevalier Degree. This became a reality
in March, 1937 and "DAD" Land began to nominate DeMolays and Senior
DeMolays for this distinguished honor.
Mother Chapter, of course, had the first investiture and it was held
June 2, 1937 at the Little Theater in the Municipal Auditorium. Forty-one
active DeMolays or Senior DeMolays of Mother Chapter were invested with
the Degree on that date. John S. McKibben, Jr. was recognized as the
first Chevalier, and the rest of the nominees were numbered accordingly.
Today, the rolls of the Chevalier Degree number approximately 27,000,
many of whom are organized into Chevalier Courts. These Courts are
encouraged to be active in their support of DeMolay and its ideals.
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