What are the Knight Masons?
The Knight Masons arrived in this country in May, 1936 when three Councils were chartered in North Carolina by the Grand Council in Ireland. The degrees of Knight Masonry were anciently styled the “Green Degrees”. In the 1960’s control of these degrees in the U.S. passed from the Grand Council in Ireland to a Grand Council in the U.S.A., which meets annually during the Allied Bodies Meeting in Washington, D.C. Membership is by invitation, the qualification for joining is being a Royal Arch Mason for one year, and is predicated on membership in a Royal Arch Chapter. The degrees conferred are:
Knight of the Sword: The candidate, representing Zerubbabel, seeks admission to come before King Cyrus. The King relates the details of a dream to his courtiers, and then permits Zerubbabel to enter. Zerubbabel requests liberty for the captive Jews and gives a signal demonstration of his fidelity. The King, being impressed, grants Zerubbabel and his company permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. He invests him with a sash, a sword, and a password
Knight of the East: The time is now 16 years after the action of the previous degree. Zerubbabel now returns to Persia from Jerusalem to request of King Darius continued support in building the Jewish Temple, and his aid in driving away the enemies who are frustrating their efforts. Darius grants the request and appoints Zerubbabel a palace guard. Before retiring, the King proposes the discussion of the relative strengths of wine, women, or the king. Zerubbabel and two other guards contend via argument, with Zerubbabel coming out the victor. He is then escorted safely back to Jerusalem.
Knight of the East and West: In this degree, Zerubbabel returns in triumph to Jerusalem and reports to the Sanhedrin, or Jewish Council. As a recognition for his valor and constancy, he is created a Knight of the East and West, and is invested with a sash and apron.
Mission of Prather Council Knight Mason
- Promote, encourage, and provide opportunities for Masonic Education
- Perpetuate the Degrees associated with the Knight Masons
- Provide the opportunity to participate in a formal Festive Board
- Serve as a more formal York Rite Body for those looking for a less casual Masonic Experience
Officers
2025 Officers
Excellent Chief – Frank E. Capler, Jr
Senior Knight – Matthew A. Worland
Junior Knight – Craig M. Beidelman
Scribe – Brian C. Lewis, KCZ
Treasurer – Kevin J. Scott
Senior Warden – Shamus J. Driver
Junior Warden – Mitchell H. Rohrbaugh
Director of Ceremonies – John A. Miller
Priest – Joseph L. Sparks
Steward – Russell E. Sthrome, Jr
Sentinel – James B. Hertel
Past Officers
Past Excellent Chiefs
Carson C. Smith – 2021
Carson C. Smith – 2022
Brian C. Lewis – 2023
Graig A. Huber – 2024
Frank E. Capler Jr – 2025
Sean W. Jones – 2018 (#118)
Carson C. Smith – 2022 (#115)
James A. Buckhorn – 2023 (#15)
Mark A. Elder – 2025 (#15)
Awards
Knight Commander of Zerubbabel
Sean W. Jones – 2021
Carson C. Smith – 2022
Brian C. Lewis – 2023
Graig A. Huber – 2024
Members
Members of Prather Council #125 Knight Masons
James A. Buckhorn – 2021
Craig M. Beidelman – 2021
Frank E. Capler Jr – 2021
Bruce J. Frazer – 2021
John R. Freeland – 2021
Graig A. Huber – 2021
Sean W. Jones – 2021
David G. Kirschman – 2021
Brian C. Lewis – 2021
Clifford C. Lewis – 2021
Mark C. Lewis – 2021
Jerald L. Miller – 2021
John A. Miller – 2021
Michael A. Moxley – 2021
Mitchell H. Rohrbaugh – 2021
Kevin J. Scott – 2021
Carson C. Smith – 2021
Michael J. Smith – 2021
Jack F. Wallace – 2021
Matthew A. Worland – 2021
Joseph D. Allen – 2021
Brandon S. Armacost – 2021
Adam D. Campbell – 2021
Randy J. Darling – 2021
Shamus J. Driver – 2021
Randal P. Ellington – 2021
Douglas C. Fraker – 2021
Christopher C. Ndife – 2021
Jeff A. Ping – 2021
Jason L. Sawin – 2021
David L. Schroeder – 2021
Joseph L. Sparks – 2021
Daniel R. Gowin – 2022
Stephen P. Kroman – 2022 *
Robert M. Plank – 2022
Steven B. Taylor – 2022
Mark A. Elder – 2022
James B. Hertel – 2022
Nathaniel E. Ratterman – 2022
John C. Jones II – 2023
Jeffery W. Prairie – 2023
David L. Allen – 2023
Turner C. England Jr. – 2023
Robert W. Hendrix – 2023
Michael L. Isenhowser – 2023
Caleb J. Keith – 2023
Charles A. Lauer – 2023
Jerome David Leach – 2023
Jason L. Rogers – 2023
Dennis A. Schraeder, Sr – 2023
Russell E. Sthrome Jr. – 2023
Marlin R. Gray – 2024
Jacob A. Lamberson – 2024
Jared A. Lamberson – 2024
Matthew M. McLaughlin – 2024
Michael A. Moffatt – 2024
W. Dirk Rader – 2024
Michael A. Taylor – 2024
Chad J. Bowman – 2024
Larry L. Gardner – 2024
Michael E. Smith – 2024
Michael R. Stewart – 2024
David E. Westmeyer – 2024
Year indicates when the Member was initiated or affiliated with Prather Council #125.
* Deceased
Honorary Members
Martin R. Trent – 2021
Christopher J. Gamblin – 2021
John A. Bridegroom – 2021