Order of The Builders
The Order of The Builders is Kentucky’s newest Masonic sponsored youth organization in Kentucky. Arthur M. Millard founded the original Order in Chicago, Illinois, on March 2, 1921. The organization is for young men between the ages of 9 and 21 who are the sons, brothers, grandsons, or nephews of members of regularly constituted Masonic Lodges and their immediate or closest boyhood companions. Master Masons may become Associate Members and be a part of the chapter’s Advisory Council of Master Masons.
There are two degrees in the ritual of the Order, the Apprentice Degree and the Builders Degree. Both degrees teach important lessons about the principles of democracy and the ideals of Freemasonry. The Builders’ activities are determined by the members at their regular chapter meetings and may include a wide range of social, athletic, fundraising, and civic service projects.
Members from Pennsylvania and Illinois instituted the Kentucky Chapter on October 29, 1995. On December 29, 1996, Bowling Green Chapter was chartered as an independent chapter. The following chapter were later chartered: Henderson Chapter on March 22, 1998; Somerset Chapter on April 19, 1998; Scottsville Chapter on March 4, 2001; and Sons of Solomon Chapter in Brownsville on January 26, 2003. The Order has exclusive territorial jurisdiction within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. However, it is in fraternal accord with Pennsylvania and Illinois Builders.
Each chapter has fifteen officers, and presiding officer of a chapter is called the Master Builder. The eight elective Officers must be chosen from among the junior members. The seven appointive members can be either junior members or associate members.
The associate members from the Advisory Council of Master Masons and elect five members to the Executive Council, who work with the chapter. Other Master Masons along with Non-Masonic fathers or male-guardians of the young men, may attend a meeting of the Order of The Builders after taking a pledge.