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Supreme Grand Chapter
The Supreme Grand Chapter of England is the governing body of Royal Arch Masons in England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, and is based within Freemasons’ Hall.
Chapters overseas are grouped in 32 Districts, 4 Inspectorates (Groups) and 5 NUD (not under a District) Chapters. Although Supreme Grand Chapter (SGC) formally operates as a separate organisation with its own finances and administrative structure, the historic ties between UGLE and SGC mean that their operation remains very closely linked and they share many of the same services within Freemasons’ Hall in London.
This is illustrated by the fact that several of the senior officers within UGLE such as the Grand Master, the Grand Secretary and the Grand Treasurer automatically hold equivalent positions in SGCr. However, within SGC the Grand Master is referred to as the First Grand Principal and the Grand Secretary as the Grand Scribe E.
Convocations of SGC are held each year on the second Wednesday in November and on the day following the Annual Investiture of Grand Lodge.
Who's Who
HRH THE DUKE OF KENT KG, GCMG, GCVO, ADC
First Grand Principal
JONATHAN SPENCE, DL
Pro First Grand Principal
SIR DAVID WOOTTON
Second Grand Principal
GARETH JONES, OBE
Third Grand Principal
ADRIAN MARSH
Grand Scribe E
MATT HAMPSON
President of the Committee of General Purposes
Foreign Grand Chapters
Although SGC is sovereign over the Royal Arch, it is not wholly independent of the United Grand Lodge and does not accord formal recognition to or exchange representatives with other Grand Chapters. Instead it aims to maintain friendly relationships with most foreign Grand Chapters and accepts as regular the Companions of another Grand Chapter if it works with the approval of the Grand Lodge whose territory it shares, provided that this foreign Grand Lodge is recognised by the United Grand Lodge of England. These recognised Grand Lodges can be found listed on the United Grand Lodge of England website.
Once a Companion has received clearance to visit a Chapter abroad, he should ensure that he takes with him his Grand Chapter Certificate and a Clearance Certificate from his Chapter(s).
English Constitution Chapters who wish to host a visit from a Companion from an overseas Chapter should also check with the Grand Scribe E’s office to ensure that they are from an acceptable Constitution and that the visitor has with him his Grand Chapter Certificate and a Clearance Certificate from his Chapter(s), or as an alternative, his Dues Card.
Chapters should also be aware that visitors from Constitutions that work the Swedish or Scandinavian Rite must have completed their Sixth Degree in that system to be qualified to attend an English Royal Arch meeting.
Book of Constitutions - Royal Arch Regulation
Book of Constitutions - Royal Arch Plates
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