Our Vision 
"We will strive to be a fraternity that fulfills our Masonic obligation to care for our members."

Scottish Rite

The Scottish Rite seeks to strengthen the community and believes that each man should act in civil life according to his individual judgment and the dictates of his conscience.

A member of the Scottish Rite seeks to:
  • Exalt the dignity of every person, the human side of his daily activities, and the maximum service to humanity.
  • Aid mankind’s search in God’s universe for identity, for development and for destiny, and thereby produce better men in a better world, happier men in a happier world and wiser men in a wiser world.
The Scottish Rite is one of the appendant bodies of Freemasonry that a Master Mason may join for further exposure to the principles of Freemasonry.

In the United States the Scottish Rite is officially recognized by Grand Lodges as an extension of the degrees of Freemasonry.

The Scottish Rite builds upon the ethical teachings and philosophy offered in the craft lodge, or blue lodge, through dramatic presentation of the individual degrees.

Supreme Council

The Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in each country is governed by a Supreme Council. There is no international governing body — each Supreme Council in each country is sovereign unto itself.

In the U.S. there are two Supreme Councils. The Northern Masonic Jurisdiction (NMJ) is headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts, and the Southern Jurisdiction (SJ) in Washington, DC.

The Northern Masonic Jurisdiction refers to state organizations as Councils ofDeliberation and the local bodies are organized into Valleys.

The System of Degrees

Each Valley has up to four Scottish Rite bodies, and each body confers a set of degrees. In the Northern Masonic Jurusdiction, the bodies are the:
  • Lodge of Perfection (4°–14°)
  • Council of Princes of Jerusalem (15°–16°)
  • Chapter of Rose Croix (17°–18°)
  • Consistory (19°–32°)

2017 Supreme Council

The Valley of Rochester will be hosting the 2017 Supreme Council Session August 26th - 29th, 2017. The Valley of Rochester's website will be regularly updated with information on outings, restaurants and registrations. Click here to access the information or click on the "2017 Supreme Council Information" tab above.

Allegiance

The New York Council of Deliberation acknowledges and yields allegiance to the Supreme Council, 33°, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of America, whose Grand East is in Lexington, Massachusetts and whose officers are:
Ill∴ John William McNaughton, 33°
Sovereign Grand Commander

Ill∴ Gail N. Kemp, 33°
Grand Lieutenant Commander

Ill∴ Robert F. Ogg, Jr., 33°
Grand Minister of State

Ill∴ David P. Spencer, 33°
Deputy for New York State

Active Members for New York

Ill∴ Peter J. Samiec, 33°
Grand Almoner 
Past Deputy for New York
Ill∴ Stephen R. Whittaker, 33°
Grand Master General of Ceremonies
Ill∴ G. Michael Morris, 33°
Ill∴ Steven C. Stefanakos, 33°

Active Emeritus Members for New York

Ill∴ James F. Niehoff, 33°
Ill∴ Richard H. Welkley, 33°
Ill∴ Gary A. Henningsen, 33° 
Ill∴ Frederick D. Greene, 33°  
Ill∴ Edward R. Trosin, 33°  
Ill∴ Harold L. Aldrich, 33°
Past Grand Minister of State
​Past Deputy for New York 
Ill∴ P. Michael Nielsen, 33°
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Our Mission 
To Provide: 
Inspiration for our members through meaningful programs and degrees.
Convenient opportunities for our members to enhance their lives.
Enjoyable programs and fellowship activities for our members.
Find us on:
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