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 Chair Degrees are held the first Saturday of each October 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. It was held on October 8th, 2022.
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.)
These Chair Degrees are actually three distinct & separate bodies with separate successive lines. They are listed below:
Order of Anointed High Priests
| Office | 2023-2024 Officers | 2023-2024 Degree Team |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent President | Scott Wadsworth | Joel Bryant |
| Excellent Vice President | Nick Barnes | Nick Barnes |
| Excellent Chaplain | Mark Stillwell | Phillip Sherman |
| Excellent Master of Ceremonies | Ted Loggins | James. C. McGee |
| Excellent Conductor of the Council | Scott Davis | Winston Each |
| Excellent Herald | Brian Autrey | Ted Loggins |
| Excellent Steward | Troy Brown | Mark Stillwell |
| Excellent Sentinel | Lee Gibson | Lee Gibson |
| Excellent Treasurer/Recorder | Bobby Jordan | Bobby Jordan |
| Degree Director | Tom Bassett |
Order of the Silver Trowel
| Office | 2023-2024 Officers | 2023-2024 Degree Team |
|---|---|---|
| Thrice Illustrious Master | Scott Wadsworth | Nick Barnes |
| Thrice Illustrious Senior Warden | Mark Stillwell | Doug Burfitt, Jr. |
| Thrice Illustrious Junior Warden | Ted Loggins | Sid Cooley |
| Thrice Illustrious Steward | Nathan Godwin | William Carter |
| Thrice Illustrious Sentinel | John Myers | Ted Loggins |
| Thrice Illustrious Treasurer/Recorder | Bobby Jordan | Bobby Jordan |
| Degree Director / King David | Tom Bassett |
Order of Knight Crusaders of the Cross
| Office | 2023-2024 Officers | 2023-2024 Degree Team |
|---|---|---|
| Knight Crusader of the East | Doug Burfitt, Jr | Thomas H. Nesbit |
| Knight Crusader of the West | Scott Wadsworth | Doug Burfitt, Jr |
| Knight Crusader of the South | Tommy Bassett | |
| Knight Crusader of the North | Ted Loggins | Emory J. "Smokey" Ferguson |
| Knight Crusader of the Holy Cross | John Myers | Sid Cooley |
| Knight Crusader of the Temple | Troy Brown | |
| Knight Crusader of the Asylum | Joel Bryant | |
| Knight Crusader Treasurer/Recorder | Bobby Jordan | Bobby Jordan |
| Degree Director | Thomas H. Nesbit |