About the Grand Commandery

The Order of Knights Templar began being conferred in the second half of the 18th century in Maryland, leading to Maryland Encampment No. 1 (eventually Maryland Commandery No. 1) being instituted in 1790 at Baltimore.  Maryland Commandery, No. 1 is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, Commandery of Knights Templar in the United States.

On December 12, 1870, three Commanderies; Maryland No. 1, Baltimore, No. 2, and Monumental No. 3, met in Convention at the Masonic Temple in Baltimore, and resolved to form a Grand Commandery for the State of Maryland.  The Grand Encampment was then notified and a warrant for the formation of the Grand Commandery of Maryland was requested.   The Grand Commandery of Maryland was duly constituted and its officers installed on January 23, 1871 in Baltimore.

Membership in the Knights Templar is open to men who are Master Masons, as well as members of a Royal Arch Chapter and a Royal & Select Masters Council.  Knights Templar is a Christian order, and members vow that if called upon, they will wield their swords in the defense of the Christian religion. The Order of the Temple is one of the most poignant and meaningful degrees in all of Freemasonry.