History of Castries Pronaos

Fr. Medrick Alexander started a reading group with some members of AMORC pre 1989. 

In 1989, the group was recognized by the Grand Lodge of the Americas as an AMORC reading group with the leader as Fr. Medrick Alexander who remained the leader from 1989 until his transition in 1997.

After his transition, the group diminished in size but kept functioning under the leadership of Sr. Hillary Placid from 1998 to 1999. I took the helm from 1999 to 2000, and at that time there were 9 members tendering the flame.

In July of 1996, Bryant Sampson, who had joined the Order in 1985 and served in the London Lodge, and I, having joined the Order in 1987 and served in the Wanstead Springs Chapter, were wed.

During the years in our respective affiliated bodies, we served in practically every office of the affiliated bodies and also in the English Grand Lodge of Europe and Africa.

In July 1998, my husband and I, having retired from gainful employment and tired of the constant stress of AMORC work, decided to relocate to St. Lucia where we thought we would have a well-deserved rest, peace, and enjoy the tranquility of St. Lucia (of course, that was an illusion).

In January 1999, we were reminiscing with a visiting Frater who told us of an AMORC member he met on his last visit to St. Lucia, and that we should try contacting him. He gave us a telephone number. So, with the New Year approaching, and my husband and I missing the celebration with our Fraters and Sorors in England, we reached out to the member, Fr. Jones Jn. Baptist, and he invited us to their next meeting. We accepted and attended. That was another story and the beginning of another journey...

We were well received by the members: Sr. Martina Carter, Sr. Hillary Placid, Fr. Michael Moncherry, Fr. Jones. Jn. Baptiste, Fr. Alvin Emmanuel, and Fr. Chris Renee.

The experience was memorable. We all took our seats, dues were collected, then Sr. Carter, being Group Leader, said "Let’s start", and she proceeded to read the Grand Master’s monthly message. When this was completed, we all said "So Mote it Be", then we had refreshments and that was it. Needless to say, our journey back to the south was in silence as we were trying to process what we had just taken part in.

We then realized that our purpose for being here was not to enjoy the relaxing retirement we envisaged, but to continue the work. In February, we attended the Group meeting and Bryant asked if we could have a moment of silence. He opened with an invocation, and he also closed with an invocation.

March being the New Year Ceremony, Fr. Jones called to ask us to conduct the New Year Ceremony, which we did, and for the first time, some of the members saw an alter with the Rose Cross. We were on our way...

As the meetings were held at Fr. Jones' residence, which was not very convenient, we discussed sorting an appropriate venue. In December of 1999, Sr. Carter generously offered the group a large, enclosed space at the bottom of her residence for our meetings. This was greatly appreciated, and work commenced with great excitement and enthusiasm. It was all hands on deck. Fraters and Sorors were cleaning and painting. A great portion of the work was done by Fr. Luke Agustin who was assisted by Fr. Sampson and Fr. Jones. They created the division for the antechamber, placing windows, and building the lectern. We were determined to move in by March 2000.

As Bryant and I knew nothing about the functions of an organizational group, we sought guidance from the then Grand Councilor in Trinidad and asked that he seek permission from Grand Lodge to allow us to form an Atrium Group in St. Lucia, as the members were in the 4th to 9th Degrees, yet not knowing anything about AMORC rules, regulations, rituals, or disciplines because some of them have never entered a Rosicrucian Temple, and they were so hungry for knowledge that we could share.

Bearing in mind that the Grand Lodge of the Americas was the one that introduced the Atrium Ritual, but it was never implemented in America but was implemented in England. After many requests without success, not even a reply, we decided to be delinquent and work in the format of an Atrium Group, for the benefit of the members and the Good of the Order. We had a lot of support from the Fraters and Sorors in England, with donations of our gong, candle sticks holders and Sanctum cloth. Whatever we needed, they willingly donated it.

So, on March 19, 2000, at 11:00 am, we performed the Temple Dedication Ceremony, had a break for lunch, and performed the New Year Ceremony at 1:30 pm. In attendance were 9 members and 2 visiting AMORC members.

In September 2000, we held our first AMORC Pyramid Ceremony at Latille. Invitations were sent to all fraternities, advertisements were placed in some department stores, and two newspapers gave us a free spot for our ads.

The day turned out to be more successful than we anticipated. We had a large group from the Mechanic Lodge, representatives from the Foresters and the Druids, all curious to see Rosicrucians coming out...

We continued to perform as an Atrium Group, with me as Group Leader, meeting for monthly convocations and forums, and sending reports of our activities to the Respected Grand Councilor as usual. We encouraged the members to travel to Trinidad for their First Temple Degree Initiation and feel the discipline of a Rosicrucian Lodge.

In January 2002, feeling exhausted and needing a break, also realizing I had to prepare the members for leadership, it was time to take the position of advisor and train new leaders. I contacted the Grand Councilor informing him of my decision to step down as Leader, but I would not hand over any Rituals in my possession to the new Leader, as I was fully prepared to take responsibility for my delinquent actions but would not encourage another to do so. So, if we did not get recognized as an Atrium Group by the Grand Lodge of the Americas, then we would be closing down.

One week later, the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge in England notified me that the Grand Lodge of the Americas requested information about Bryant and myself and he had submitted it. They had also requested a copy of the Atrium Ritual. Ah Bingo! At last! A few days later, we received a Charter and thereby, we were finally recognized as the first Atrium Group in the Americas.

Fr. Spencer was installed as Group Leader in March 2002 and served until August due to the fact he had to migrate due to work. I then returned as Leader for rest of the year, then followed by:

• Fr. Jones 2003 - 2005

• Fr. Moncherry 2005 - 2007

• Fr. Sampson 2007 - 2009 (we were visited by the Regional Monitor Fr. Fergusson)

• Fr. Renee 2009 - 2012

• Sr. Sampson 2012 - 2014

• Sr. Carter 2014 - 2015

• Fr. Nostrum 2015 - 2017

• Fr. Foster 2017 - 2019

• Sr. Jolie 2019 - 2021

• Fr. Foster 2021 – 2023

• Fr. Schouten 2023 - Present

We had our first visit from Fr. Denner as Grand Councilor at our first symposium which was held at the Folk Research Centre at Barnard Hill. He presented a very inspiring message. He has since visited our group on three occasions, this year, 2022, being the fourth visit. Fr. Denner has given tremendous support to this group. We thank and appreciate the work he has done with us, and for us, throughout our journey to reach this goal.

With Fr. Denner's help in October 2021, the Group was granted elevation to Pronaos status. As we all know, the Ceremony was conducted March 12, 2022, so we are now officially Castries Pronaos.

Today, we thank and remember our transitioned members, Fr. Bryant Sampson, Fr. Jones Jn. Baptiste and Fr. Michael Moncherry, for their hard work and dedication to the Group. I am sure they are here with us.

And the work continues…

Written by Rosella Sampson.

(Reviewed and edited by Paula Harris, Regional Communications Director)