Navigation |
The Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of NZ
Welcome to the Web Site of the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of New Zealand.
The SRACNZ has the responsibility for governing the three degrees of the Royal Arch, the second largest Masonic Order in New Zealand, the four degrees of the Cryptic Council, and the degrees of the Royal Ark Mariner and the Red Cross of Babylon. Together these seek to extend the understanding of Masonic philosophy to Craft Masons and provide enlightenment about the manner in which they and all Masons may conduct their lives.
Rule 71 of the Book of Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Antient, Free and Accepted Masons of New Zealand states as follows “Grand Lodge recognises the degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, Master Mason, Mark Master, Excellent Master and the Royal Arch as being pure Antient Freemasonry.” The first three degrees are provided in a Craft Lodge; the second three in a Royal Arch Chapter and many Freemasons consider it worthwhile continuing their Masonic education by participating in all of the recognised degrees of pure Antient Freemasonry.
Membership of the Royal Arch Chapters governed by the SGRACNZ is restricted to members of Lodges who have completed the Master Mason Degree. A Royal Arch Chapter may also work the ceremonies of Royal Ark Mariner, and the Red Cross of Babylon.
The SGRACNZ was formed in 1892 from a disparate group of Royal Arch Chapters which had been constituted during the previous 30 years under the various English, Scottish and Irish Constitutions. A small number of Chapters in New Zealand remained under the jurisdiction of their original constitutions and most of these are still active offering Freemasons in New Zealand a rare opportunity to enjoy and participate in competing constitutions.
This site includes information available only to registered Royal Arch Companions of the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of New Zealand. If you are a member of a New Zealand Chapter and would like to be registered please click on the link here.
If you are a Craft Mason and would like to enquire further about Royal Arch Masonry please visit the information pages on this site, or peruse the Chapter listings and contact the Scribe of a Chapter near you. Click on the links Royal Arch Masonry, The Six Degrees of Freemasonry, and The Royal Arch - An Introduction for Non Royal Arch Masons.