Old Olavians' Chapter No. 5758

"It is declared and pronounced that pure Antient Masonry consists of three degrees and no more, viz., those of the Entered Apprentice, the Fellow Craft, and the Master Mason, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch."
(Excerpt from the Articles of Union agreed between the two former Grand Lodges of England, 1813)

Royal Arch Chapter in England is administered by Supreme Grand Chaper, operating under the authority of the United Grand Lodge of England.   From the Union of 1813 until 2003, the ceremony of the Holy Royal Arch constituted the "completion" of the third degree (Master Mason) in Freemasonry;  however nowadays it is described as "an extension to, but neither a superior nor a subordinate part, of the Degrees which precede it", and it is no longer considered to be the "completion" of the third degree.

Royal Arch however, remains an Order to which only Master Masons, of at least four weeks standing, may be admitted, and its ceremonies are conducted in separate "Chapters",  which are usually attached to a sponsoring Lodge.

The Old Olavians Chapter was established in 1962 with the founding Principals being: Joe Polley, Harold Cashman and Percy Lorraine .   The members met regularly at the Great Eastern Hotel, Liverpool Street Station until it closed, after which they transferred to The Gun in Spitalfields.

The Chapter meets in the morning before the Lodge meetings on the  3^rd  Saturday in January, 3^rd Saturday in May,  and separately on 4^th Saturday in October (Installation).

Meeting are held at:  Freemasons' Hall, 60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B  5AZ.

From the outset, there was no restriction on membership and, in fact, now very few of the current active members are Old Olavians. However, those that are still give their rendering of the School Song with great gusto.    The hospitality afforded to both visitors and guests remains one of the key features of the Chapter.

Further details may be obtained from the Scribe E:  Philip Clare, who can be emailed at .

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