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.

2001Joe Frederick Schriever, PTIM
2009Raymond M. White, PTIM
2011Clarence L. Cossey, PTIM
2015John Vernon, PTIM
2019O. Carl Sizemore, PTIM
2020Charles E. Maddox, PTIM
2023George D. Moxley

Roll of Past Grand Masters

from Austin Council No.2

1860Edward Clark
1862Henry Thomas
1863Robert Morris Elgin
1907Robert Morris Elgin
1951Eugene Digges, Jr.
1973Walter Vernon Cartwright
1978George Edward Hulbert
1988Joe Frederick Schriever