About Us
What Is Scottish Rite Masonry?
Often considered a “graduate course” in Freemasonry, the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite is a fraternity for men who wish to better themselves and the world through deeper exploration of the philosophy, values and teachings of 200 years of Freemasonry, through a series of allegorical degree presentations. Members are given a “passport” that is stamped as they progress through the degree work, which may be offered live or online.
Scottish Rite Core Values
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Reverence for God
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Devotion to Country
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Integrity
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Justice
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Toleration
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Service
Governed by the Supreme Council Thirty-third Degree Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts, and the Pennsylvania Council of Deliberation, individual Valleys within the state are chartered within a general jurisdictional area. The Valley of Erie covers Erie and Crawford counties in northwest Pennsylvania, but has members residing all over the globe.
Within the Valley of Erie there are four bodies or separate organizations, each with their own officers. Lodge, Council, Chapter and Consistory generally hold their stated meetings in joint session.
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The Valley of Erie Scottish Rite Bodies, situated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, acknowledge and yield allegiance to the Supreme Council, 33o, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America whose Grand East is in Lexington, Massachusetts, and whose Officers are from Supreme Council and the Pennsylvania Council of Deliberation.
Vision Statement
“We will strive to be a fraternity that fulfills our Masonic obligation to care for our members.”
Valley of Erie Scottish Rite Bodies
Presque Isle Lodge of Perfection (Respectable Brothers) chartered on September 22, 1987, and the oldest of the four bodies, governs degrees 4 – 14.
Erie Chapter of Rose Croix de H-D-R-M (Perfect Knights) also chartered on April 15, 1918 governs degrees 17 – 18.
Erie Council Princes of Jerusalem (Valiant Knights) chartered on April 15, 1918 governs degrees 15 – 16.
Erie Consistory (Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret) chartered on January 31, 1921 governs degrees 19 – 32.
​Degree Work
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Degree work is exemplified in Fall and Spring “Reunions” with both live and streaming formats. New initiates (candidates) are guests of honor as costumed members act out enjoyable scripted allegories and discuss the lessons learned. Candidates who receive the 4th degree are considered members. Most reunion events offer the 4th and 32nd Degrees plus three other degrees in between (the bookend concept).
Erie Scottish Rite Building
4701 Old Zuck Road, Erie, PA 16506
The Erie Scottish Rite Building, built in 2003, serves as a meeting and event center for members of the Valley of Erie Scottish Rite Bodies. The building and grounds occupy 4.4 acres of land located between Zuck and Old Zuck Roads in Millcreek Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania. Members host a golf outing each year to benefit the Scottish Rite Building Project Fund.
Philanthropy
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Scottish Rite Northern Masonic Jurisdiction members are encouraged to serve and give (as they are able) to their places of worship, masonic and other charitable organizations. Erie Scottish Rite members support the following Supreme Council charitable funds through their dues: the Grand Almoner’s Fund, Children’s Dyslexia Centers, Abbott Scholarships, the Scottish Rite Museum and Library, and the Member Education Fund.
Locally, Erie Scottish Rite members are supportive of the following funds and charitable organizations: The Scholarship Foundation of Erie Scottish Rite Bodies, and the Valley Hospitaler Fund for members who are in medical or financial need.
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Member are encouraged to volunteer for community service projects throughout the year.
2024-2026 Officers
SERVING ERIE PRESQUE ISLE LODGE OF PERFECTION 14th Degree (Constituted in 1887)
Bro. Johnny B. Salter, 32o, MSA * | Thrice Potent Master |
Bro. Harold G. Fried, Jr., 32o * MSA | Deputy Master |
Bro. Derrick Cross, 32o * | Senior Warden |
Bro. Aaron M. Mathers, 32o MSA | Junior Warden |
Bro. Michael L. DeDad, 32o | Orator |
Bro. Ryan A. Cottrell, 32o | Master of Ceremonies |
Bro. Daniel A. Ewig, 32o | Captain of the Guard |
SERVING ERIE COUNCIL, PRINCES OF JERUSALEM 16th Degree (Constituted in 1918)
Bro. Dale E. Konen, 32o | Sovereign Prince |
Bro. Walter D. Long, 32o | High Priest |
Bro. B. Scott Eighmy, 32o | Senior Warden |
Bro. Randy S. Hunsberger, 32o * | Junior Warden |
Bro. Dennis L. Lagan, 32o | Master of Ceremonies |
Bro. Jeff Williams, 32o | Master of Ceremonies |
Master of Entrance |
CHAPTER OF ROSE CROIX 18th Degree (Constituted 1918)
Bro. Brian S. Woodward, 32o * MSA | Most Wise Master |
Bro. John M. Hartman, 32o * | Senior Warden |
Ill. James H. Richardson, 33o * | Junior Warden |
Bro. Kenneth L. Churchill, 32o | Orator |
Bro. Dennis Walker, 32o | Master of Ceremonies |
Bro. Michael N. Cain, 32o MSA | Captain of the Guard |
SERVING ERIE CONSISTORY, S.P.R.S. 32rd Degree (Constituted 1921)
Bro. John D. Karr, 32o * MSA | Commander-In-Chief |
Ill. Bernard D. Hanmore, 33o MSA * | 1st Lieutenant Commander |
Bro. Robert A. Oakley, 32o MSA * | 2nd Lieutenant Commander |
Bro. James I. Sharpless, 32o MSA | Orator |
Bro. Eric G. Olsen, 32o MSA | Chancellor |
Bro. Kevin A. Soles, 32o MSA | Master of Ceremonies |
Bro. David L. Langdon, 32o MSA | Captain of the Guard |
Bro. David L. Langdon | Captain of the Guard |
SERVING ALL BODIES
Bro. Charles L. Davis, 32o | Secretary |
Ill. Paul J. Gornall, 32o MSA * | Treasurer |
Ill. Richard N. Fitzsimmons, 33o MSA * | Trustee (Term 5/2026) |
Ill. Robert D. Gornall, Jr., 33o MSA * | Trustee (Term 5/2026) |
Ill. John H. Daneri, 33o MSA * | Trustee (Term 5/2028) |
Ill. James M. Bowers, 33o * | Trustee (Term 5/2028) |
Ill. Robert D. Gornall, Jr., 33o MSA | Director of Ritualistic Work |
Bro. James I. Sharpless, 32o MSA | Hospitaler |
Bro. David J. Lasher, 32o MSA | Tyler |
*Asterisk - elected Executive Board members and members of Council of Deliberation
MSA - Pennsylvania Council of Deliberation Meritorious Service Award recipient
The Valley of Erie Scottish Rite Bodies, situated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, acknowledge and yield allegiance to the Supreme Council, 33o, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America whose Grand East is in Lexington, Massachusetts, and whose Officers are from Supreme Council and the Pennsylvania Council of Deliberation.
PENNSYLVANIA COUNCIL OF DELIBERATION OFFICERS
Ill. Robert J. Bateman, 33o | Deputy for Pennsylvania |
Ill. John D. Cook, 33o | Secretary |
Ill. Keith E. Parkinson, 33o | Active for NW Pennsylvania |
Bro. Peter M. Kraus, 33o MSA | Deputy Representative for Erie |
SUPREME COUNCIL, NORTHERN MASONIC JURISDICTION
Ill. Keith E. Parkinson, 33o
Active for NW Pennsylvania
Bro. Peter M. Kraus, 32o MSA
Deputy Representative for Erie
Ill. Walter F. Wheeler, 33o | Sovereign Grand Commander |
Ill. Peter J. Samiec, 33o | Grand Lieutenant Commander & Grand Almoner |
Ill. Thomas K. Sturgeon, 33o | Grand Chancellor |