About 903 Harrison York Rite Masons

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The Craft Lodge of Freemasons, The Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, The Council of Cryptic Masons, and The Commandery of Knights Templar make up the York Rite of Freemasonry. The Chapter, Council and Commandery receive their members from the Craft Lodges. 

• Orient Chapter No. 102, Royal Arch Masons received its charter on May 3, 1883.
• Shekinah Council No. 24, Royal and Select Masters was chartered on April 27, 1892 and 
• Oriental Commandery No. 35, Knights Templar was chartered on May 3, 1881. 

All three organizations have been in continuous operation since. Our current meeting place of 903 Harrison Street is not our original meeting place, the previous having burned down. But we are one of the original tenants and funders of the current building erected in 1911. 

In the earlier days of the 903 Harrison York Rite Masons our members were a veritable who's who of Kansas City's prominent citizens. Men such as William F. Kuhn and Harry S. Truman were members of some or all of our organizations. Burgeoning a membership of over 2,000 in the early 1900's we had politicians, civic leaders, business owners as well as policemen, firemen, postal workers, and entertainers. All working toward the common goal of bettering themselves and the communities they lived and worked in. 

The building at 903 Harrison Street, now known as the Historic Kansas City Masonic Temple, was the place to be for social functions in the early twentieth century.

The York Rite of Freemasonry is a direct continuation of the Blue Lodge, or Craft Lodge, of Freemasonry in guiding men through their personal growth. 

Freemasonry creates an environment where men can meet regardless of race, color, creed, or nationality.

Freemasonry promotes love of country and encourages each member to be active in their communities.