Worth Commandery No. 19
Early History
On the night of November 12, 1884, Sir Knight N.W. Hunter, Deputy Grand Commander of The Grand Commandery of Texas, together with a sizeable delegation from Dallas Commandery No. 6 and representatives of two other Commanderies, came to the Masonic Hall in Fort Worth and there, acting under a special dispensation, opened a Commandery and set to work under the name of Worth Commandery U.D. So record the printed proceedings of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Texas, 1884. This marks the first official opening of a Commandery in Fort Worth and the instigation of Worth No. 19.
The printed proceedings further record: "The Commandery was then closed, and the Sir Knights of Worth Commandery then....regaled all the Sir Knights with an elegant repast, suitably arranged, tastefully decorated, bountifully served and lavishly partaken..."
A charter for the formation of Worth Commandery No. 19 was issued on April 17, 1885. Its initial meeting place was in the same building with Fort Worth Lodge No. 148 at 2nd and Main Streets. Its membership was, and still is, composed mostly of Masons in Tarrant County bodies.
The charter was issued by the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Texas at the 31st Grand Conclave held in Paris, Texas that year. Found some interesting articles in archived additions of the Austin Weekly Statesman that was printed the day before Worth Commandery No. 19 received it charter on the 16th April, 1885 and then the Fort Worth Daily Gazette that was printed in its Sunday addition on the 19th of April, 1885 about the Grand Conclave in Paris, Texas.
The printed proceedings further record: "The Commandery was then closed, and the Sir Knights of Worth Commandery then....regaled all the Sir Knights with an elegant repast, suitably arranged, tastefully decorated, bountifully served and lavishly partaken..."
A charter for the formation of Worth Commandery No. 19 was issued on April 17, 1885. Its initial meeting place was in the same building with Fort Worth Lodge No. 148 at 2nd and Main Streets. Its membership was, and still is, composed mostly of Masons in Tarrant County bodies.
The charter was issued by the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Texas at the 31st Grand Conclave held in Paris, Texas that year. Found some interesting articles in archived additions of the Austin Weekly Statesman that was printed the day before Worth Commandery No. 19 received it charter on the 16th April, 1885 and then the Fort Worth Daily Gazette that was printed in its Sunday addition on the 19th of April, 1885 about the Grand Conclave in Paris, Texas.
The Austin weekly statesman., April 16, 1885, Image 2
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Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, April 19, 1885, Page 4, Image 4
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Later History (wrote in 1985 for the Centennial Banquet celebration)
Worth Commandery has the long-standing distinction of being the largest Commandery in the world. Membership peaked in the late 1940's at 3,800 and maintains a current (1985) membership of 2,800. Worth Commandery moved to the Masonic Temple at 1100 Henderson, the current location, in 1932, the year the Temple was completed. The Asylum is filled with historic grandeur and is acclaimed as the most beautiful in the world. Its sanctuary has been an inspiration to Sir Knights of many distinctions.
Worth Commandery has been competitive throughout the years with its Ritualistic Teams, Drill Teams, and Charitable sponsorships. Its drill teams and ritualistic teams have earned numerous state and national championships. Six Grand Commanders and three Honorary Grand Commanders from Worth Commandery have proudly served our fraternity.
A genuine concern for the needs of others continues to be the primary motivation of our great Commandery. First in importance, and national in scope, is the Knights Templar Eye Foundation. Every Sir Knight is represented and committed to this great humanitarian endeavor. Of equal significance is the promotion and support of the Educational Foundation to insure the continuing higher education of young men and women who will be our future leaders.
As the curtain falls on this Grand Birthday Party, we have already set our sights on the progress and the needs of the rapidly expanding society of the twenty-first century. We have fashioned our plans and dreams on what the next century will bring to our fraternity....and the world.
Worth Commandery has been competitive throughout the years with its Ritualistic Teams, Drill Teams, and Charitable sponsorships. Its drill teams and ritualistic teams have earned numerous state and national championships. Six Grand Commanders and three Honorary Grand Commanders from Worth Commandery have proudly served our fraternity.
A genuine concern for the needs of others continues to be the primary motivation of our great Commandery. First in importance, and national in scope, is the Knights Templar Eye Foundation. Every Sir Knight is represented and committed to this great humanitarian endeavor. Of equal significance is the promotion and support of the Educational Foundation to insure the continuing higher education of young men and women who will be our future leaders.
As the curtain falls on this Grand Birthday Party, we have already set our sights on the progress and the needs of the rapidly expanding society of the twenty-first century. We have fashioned our plans and dreams on what the next century will bring to our fraternity....and the world.
| worth_commandery_centennial_banquet_program.pdf |
Integrity, Obedience, Courage
Worth Commandery #19, Knights Templar
1100 Henderson Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1320
Fort Worth, Texas 76101-1320
questions/comments to: webmaster
1100 Henderson Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1320
Fort Worth, Texas 76101-1320
questions/comments to: webmaster
