The Side Degrees of York Rite Masonry are also known as “The Chair Degrees”. The reason for this name is that in order to be eligible to receive the degrees, a candidate must have served in the East (or be currently presiding in the East) of the respective body.
The 2024 Chair Degrees will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2024 at 1:00 PM at the Birmingham Metro York Rite Center for all qualified Companions/Sir Knights wishing to join 1, 2, or all 3 degrees.
To be eligible to join the Order of Anointed High Priests, you must have been a Past Excellent High Priest of your Chapter or currently in that position. An application can be filled out on that day with a onetime fee for a lifetime membership of $50, which includes the High Priesthood special edition of the King James Bible, please come early to register.
To be eligible for the Order of the Silver Trowel you must have been a Past Illustrious Master of your Council or currently in that position. A lifetime membership is $20 and the application can be filled out at this meeting. (You do not have to have either of the other two chair degrees to have this one conferred.)
To be eligible for the Order of Knight Crusader of the Cross, you must have been a Past Eminent Commander of your Commandery, or currently in that position. Your application and the $20 fee will get you a lifetime membership in this degree. (You do not have to have been conferred in the other two chair degrees to receive this degree, but will have to wait outside until it is time for this degree to be conferred.)
The agenda (subject to minor changes) is as follows:
12:30 PM – Candidates arrive for registration
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Order of Anointed High Priests degree
2:15 PM – 3:00 PM Order of the Silver Trowel degree
3:15 PM – 4:00 PM Knight Crusader of the Cross degree
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM Wrap up
These Chair Degrees are actually three distinct & separate bodies with separate successive lines. They are listed below:
Order of Anointed High Priests
| Office | 2025-2026 Officers | Degree Team |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent President | Mark Stillwell | |
| Excellent Vice President | Ted Loggins | Nick Barnes |
| Excellent Chaplain | Brian Autrey | Phillip Sherman |
| Excellent Master of Ceremonies | Troy Brown | James. C. McGee |
| Excellent Conductor of the Council | David Wyatt | Jason Crowe |
| Excellent Herald | Jason Crowe | Ted Loggins |
| Excellent Steward | Bobby Jordan | Mark Stillwell |
| Excellent Sentinel | Joel Bryant | |
| Excellent Treasurer/Recorder | Doug Burfitt | Bobby Jordan |
| Degree Director | Brian K. Autrey |
Order of the Silver Trowel
| Office | 2025-2026 Officers | Degree Team |
|---|---|---|
| Thrice Illustrious Master | Ted Loggins | Nick Barnes |
| Thrice Illustrious Senior Warden | Nathan Godwin | Doug Burfitt, Jr. |
| Thrice Illustrious Junior Warden | John Myers | Sid Cooley |
| Thrice Illustrious Steward | William A. Carter | William Carter |
| Thrice Illustrious Sentinel | Bobby Jordan | Ted Loggins |
| Thrice Illustrious Treasurer/Recorder | William J. “Doug” Burfitt, Jr | William J. “Doug” Burfitt, Jr |
| Degree Director / King David | Thomas R. Bassett | Thomas R. Bassett |
Order of Knight Crusaders of the Cross
| Office | 2025-2026 Officers | 2023-2024 Degree Team |
|---|---|---|
| Knight Crusader of the East | Thomas R. Bassett | Thomas H. Nesbit |
| Knight Crusader of the West | Ted Loggins | Doug Burfitt, Jr |
| Knight Crusader of the South | John Myers | |
| Knight Crusader of the North | Troy Brown | Emory J. "Smokey" Ferguson |
| Knight Crusader of the Holy Cross | Joel Bryant | Sid Cooley |
| Knight Crusader of the Temple | William A. Carter | |
| Knight Crusader of the Asylum | Bobby Jordan | |
| Knight Crusader Treasurer/Recorder | William J. “Doug” Burfitt, Jr | William J. “Doug” Burfitt, Jr |
| Degree Director | Thomas H. Nesbit | Thomas H. Nesbit |