St. Andrew Grand Commandery

of Knights Templar

Of the

State of Illinois

History

St. Andrew Grand Commandery of Knights Templar was first organized in Chicago, Illinois on July 14, 1974 with Sir Knight Rufus Nichols as Grand Commander. However it was not until March 22, 1995 that the Charter was issued from the General Grand Encampment of the Knights Templar of the U.S.A. with Sir Knights Michael Gaines, Larry Williams, and Fred Johnson elected to the offices of Grand Eminent Commander, Grand Generalisimo, and Grand Captain General.

The current Grand Eminent Commander Sir Knight Thomas Lawrence has made much progress by increasing the membership, chartering new Commanderies, and improving the ritualistic ceremonies among other goals. St. Andrew Grand Commandery is now one the exemplary Grand Commanderies of Knights Templar in the General Grand Encampments of Knights Templar of the United States of America.