Consecrated 1898
Meeting at: Johannesburg - Freemasons Hall, 8 Park Lane, Parktown
3rd Tuesday Jan, Apr, July, Oct Inst Apr
Contact 072 252 4936
Chapter History
The Chapter celebrated its Centenary in 1998. Members are drawn from the Craft Lodge as well as Coronation Lodge, and from Lodges under the Grand Lodge of South Africa. The Chapter is honoured to have the Past Provincial Grand Master of the GLSA, South Africa North, David Duncan as a member of the Chapter. The membership of the Chapter now stands at thirty three. Fifteen of these members attend regularly. Several members reside overseas but still retain their membership. The Chapter has lost two senior Masons in 2012, Ex Comp Des Davis Hannibal and Ex Comp Harold Theunnissen (an honorary member) Des past away in September and Harold in October. Des in will be missed by all the Chapters in the District as he was able to assist in all parts of the Exaltation and Installation Ceremonies often being called upon to do so at the very last minute.
Over the years the Chapter has enjoyed the contribution to its membership of many distinguished Masons. The late Manfred Hermer and Rodney Grosskopff (now residing in Plettenberg Bay) both of whom were Assistant District Grand Master’s in the Craft, as well as business partners. Rodney Grosskopff was an Assistant District Grand Master in the Mark as well as Assistant to the District Grand Principals in the Royal Arch. A book entitled Carved in Stone, written by Rodney tells of some of the famous characters who helped develop and mould the history and culture of South Africa, all of whom were Freemasons. Ex Comp Cleve Wiehahn has served the office of Assistant to the Principals as well as Third and Second District Principal and is now the Deputy District Grand Superintendent. Another much loved companion was the Late Dr Bennie Hermer loved by everybody who met him and famous for his laughter. The book entitled the Piano War written by Graham Friedman tells of Bennie Hermer’s life. Jerry Davies now an honorary member of the Chapter, living overseas was first principal on two occasions. The late Neil Mankowitz contributed so much to the Chapter, filling in wherever necessary. Ex Comp Bert Harrison the oldest exaltee in the chapter having been exalted in April 1953 Sixty years as a Royal Arch Mason! Bert has been Treasurer for many years. At the A G M in October 2012, Bert was awarded the Grand Superintendent’s Certificate of Service to Royal Arch Masonry. Ex Comp Herman Rothenberg who is over ninety and the oldest member in the Chapter, exalted soon after Bert Harrison still attends regularly.
Over the past years brethren have been exalted into the Chapter from Coronation Lodge, it is hoped that they will bring their friends into Masonry which will later benefit the Chapter. Andrew Hall was installed as First Principal of the Chapter in April 2011 and still holds that position. Ex Comp’s Julian Sussman, Mike Smith and Alan Duncan who were regular visitors to the Chapter have now joined the Chapter.