Our History

Scottish freemasonry in Jamaica began in May 1771. As freemasonry blossomed and diversified in Scotland, freemasonry also grew and blossomed in Jamaica, with the meeting places concentrated wherever the gentry and commercial activity was concentrated. The oldest Royal Arch Chapter in Jamaica and indeed  the Americas is Glenlyon No. 62. It was consecrated in February 1846, and sponsored by The Glenlyon Lodge N0. 346. This Chapter was named after Lord Glenlyon 6th of Athole, whose family were major merchants of that era, and was the grand Master Mason in 1843.  The Glenlyon Royal Arch Chapter has worked continuously since its consecration, making it the oldest Scottish Royal Arch Chapter in existence outside of Scotland.

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The Glenlyon Royal Arch Chapter was the only Chapter working the Royal Arch degrees until 1970, when three more Chapters were formed:- St. John No. 821, Excelsior No. 822 and Seville No. 823. St. John and Excelsior were headquartered in Kingston...