Thrice Illustrious Master Nathan W. Stilwell welcomes you to the Austin based Council of the York Rite. Austin Council No.2 R.S.M. was originally granted a charter by the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Texas on June 23, 1853. Austin Council No. 2 was rechartered on December, 3, 1907.
The Council meets on the 4th Thursday of each month at 7:00pm for the Stated Meeting, excluding March, November, and December. Please check the York Rite Temple calendar for up to date meetings.
Chapter Degrees or Capitular Degrees
There are three degrees that make up the Council or Cryptic Degrees as directed by the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Texas. They cover the management and construction of Solomon's Temple. They are a continuation of the degrees in York Rite Masonry: Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch Mason.
Royal Master
"A Degree emphasizing the lessons of patience and fortitude. The Degree centers around the Fellowcraft Masons who were artificers fabricating the fittings and furniture of the Temple. It is unusual in that the first part of the Degree depicts events taking place before the death of the Grand Master Hiram Abif, and the last part depicts events occurring after his death." (Source: yorkrite.org)
Select Master
"A Degree emphasizing the lessons of devotion and zeal. The Degree centers on the construction and furnishing of a Secret Vault beneath the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Temple, and the deposition of those secrets pertaining to the Craft by the three ancient Grand Masters of the Craft." "The presiding body is a Council, and the presiding officer is a Master (titled Illustrious)." (Source: yorkrite.org)
Super Excellent Master
"A Degree emphasizing the lessons of loyalty and faithfulness. The Degree centers around the events leading to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple at the hands of the Chaldeans. The Degree is narrated by small interludes of biblical prophecy that highlight the end of the first Temple and the construction of the second Temple." This degree is optional and a member of the Council is not required to have it to hold office. (Source: yorkrite.org)
The Cryptic Triangle Award Recipients
from Austin Council No.2
The Cryptic Triangle Award is intended to recognize the special Companion of a Council of Royal and Select Masters who has "entered into the full spirit of those solemn ceremonies and learned the full meaning of those important symbols." to the extent of diligently applying himself toward his duties to his God, his country, his neighbor, and to himself.2001 | Joe Frederick Schriever, PTIM |
2009 | Raymond M. White, PTIM |
2011 | Clarence L. Cossey, PTIM |
2015 | John Vernon, PTIM |
2019 | O. Carl Sizemore, PTIM |
2020 | Charles E. Maddox, PTIM |
2023 | George D. Moxley |
Roll of Past Grand Masters
from Austin Council No.2
1860 | Edward Clark | |
1862 | Henry Thomas | |
1863 | Robert Morris Elgin | |
1907 | Robert Morris Elgin | |
1951 | Eugene Digges, Jr. | |
1973 | Walter Vernon Cartwright | |
1978 | George Edward Hulbert | |
1988 | Joe Frederick Schriever |