Prather Council #125
Knight Masons
Officers
2023 Officers
Excellent Chief.........................Brian C. Lewis
Senior Knight...........................Graig A. Huber
Junior Knight......................Frank E. Capler, Jr
Scribe...................................Mark C. Lewis
Treasurer...............................Kevin J. Scott
Senior Warden....................Mitchell H. Rohrbaugh
Junior Warden.......................David G. Kirschman
Director of Ceremonies................Shamus J. Driver
Priest..............................Matthew A. Worland
Steward.................................John A. Miller
Sentinel.......................Frederick A. Schwomeyer
Past Officers
Past Excellent Chiefs
Carson C. Smith...................................2021
Carson C. Smith...................................2022
Brian C. Lewis....................................2023
Duane L. Vaught............................2004 (#15)
Sean W. Jones..............................2018 (#118)
Carson C. Smith............................2022 (#115)
Awards
Knight Commander of Zerubbabel
Sean W. Jones.....................................2021
Carson C. Smith...................................2022
Members
Members of Prather Council
Knight Masons
James A. Buckhorn.................................2021
Craig M. Beidelman................................2021
Frank E. Capler Jr................................2021
Bruce J. Frazer...................................2021
John R. Freeland..................................2021
Graig A. Huber....................................2021
Sean W. Jones.....................................2021
David G. Kirschman................................2021
Brian C. Lewis....................................2021
Clifford C. Lewis.................................2021
Mark C. Lewis.....................................2021
Jerald L. Miller..................................2021
John A. Miller....................................2021
Michael A. Moxley.................................2021
Mitchell H. Rohrbaugh.............................2021
Frederick A. Schwomeyer...........................2021
Kevin J. Scott....................................2021
Carson C. Smith...................................2021
Michael J. Smith..................................2021
Duane L. Vaught...................................2021
Jack F. Wallace...................................2021
Matthew A. Worland................................2021
Joseph D. Allen...................................2021
Brandon S. Armacost...............................2021
Adam D. Campbell..................................2021
Randy J. Darling..................................2021
Shamus J. Driver..................................2021
Randal P. Ellington...............................2021
Douglas C. Fraker.................................2021
Christopher C. Ndife..............................2021
Jeff A. Ping......................................2021
Jason L. Sawin....................................2021
David L. Schroeder................................2021
Joseph L. Sparks..................................2021
Daniel R. Gowin...................................2022
Stephen P. Kroman.................................2022
Robert M. Plank...................................2022
Steven B. Taylor..................................2022
Mark A. Elder.....................................2022
James B. Hertel...................................2022
Nathaniel E. Ratterman............................2022
Year indicates when the Member was
initiated or affiliated with Prather Council #125.
Honorary Members
Martin R. Trent...................................2021
Christopher J. Gamblin............................2021
John A. Bridegroom................................2021
What are the Knight Masons?
The Knight Masons arrived in this country in May, 1936 when three Councils were chartered in North Carolina by the Grand Council in Ireland. The degrees of Knight Masonry were anciently styled the "Green Degrees". In the 1960's control of these degrees in the U.S. passed from the Grand Council in Ireland to a Grand Council in the U.S.A., which meets annually during the Allied Bodies Meeting in Washington, D.C. Membership is by invitation, the qualification for joining is being a Royal Arch Mason for one year, and is predicated on membership in a Royal Arch Chapter. The degrees conferred are:
Knight of the Sword: The candidate, representing Zerubbabel, seeks admission to come before King Cyrus. The King relates the details of a dream to his courtiers, and then permits Zerubbabel to enter. Zerubbabel requests liberty for the captive Jews and gives a signal demonstration of his fidelity. The King, being impressed, grants Zerubbabel and his company permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. He invests him with a sash, a sword, and a password.
Knight of the East: The time is now 16 years after the action of the previous degree. Zerubbabel now returns to Persia from Jerusalem to request of King Darius continued support in building the Jewish Temple, and his aid in driving away the enemies who are frustrating their efforts. Darius grants the request and appoints Zerubbabel a palace guard. Before retiring, the King proposes the discussion of the relative strengths of wine, women, or the king. Zerubbabel and two other guards contend via argument, with Zerubbabel coming out the victor. He is then escorted safely back to Jerusalem.
Knight of the East and West: In this degree, Zerubbabel returns in triumph to Jerusalem and reports to the Sanhedrin, or Jewish Council. As a recognition for his valor and constancy, he is created a Knight of the East and West, and is invested with a sash and apron.
Mission of Prather Council Knight Masons
Promote, encourage, and provide opportunities for Masonic Education
Perpetuate the Degrees associated with the Knight Masons
Provide the opportunity to participate in a formal Festive Board
Serve as a more formal York Rite Body for those looking for a less casual Masonic Experience