The requirements to be knighted a Templar are numerous and weighty. In the State of Indiana, you must be a Cryptic Mason in good standing, profess a belief in the Christian religion and be willing to defend the Holy Christian Bible.

The Knights Templar is descended from the ancient Poor Fellowsoldiers of the Temple of Solomon who protected the pilgrims on the road to Jerusalem. The Templars are believed to have begun on of the first seagoing trading routes and flew the Skull and Crossbones as their seagoing flag (long before that symbolized piracy). The fascinating history behind the Templars spans 7 centuries of history stretching from the crusades until the present time.

Many myths and superstitions are based around the Templars, the most interesting and perhaps most widespread is the legend of Friday the 13th is said to have been traced to October 13, 1307 when a surprise order, conjured up by the King of France, simultaneously captured most Templars in a daring morning raid. This raid stretched across France and neighboring countries capturing almost all Templars. Those that escaped capture, went underground and found a home in Freemasonry.

It is interesting to note that the young men’s (<18 years old) group within the Masonic Fraternity (De Molay) is named after the last Grand Master of the Templar's, Jacques De Molay.
The Commandary confers three orders:

1. Illustrious Order of the Red Cross
2. Order of Malta
3. Order of the Temple

At the conclusion of the Order of the Temple, a companion is Knighted and then addressed as Sir Knight.

It is also interesting to note that anciently, the 18th degree in the Northern Jurisdiction of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, the Rose Croix degree, was originally a York Rite degree and part of the Commandary orders.
The Commandary’s stated meeting is the first Monday of the Month and meets with the other two bodies of the York Rite in Valparaiso, the Chapter and Council.

The philanthropical workings of the Templars benefit the Knights Templar Eye Foundation.

All Commandary’s in the State of Indiana report to the Grand Commandary of Indiana, who in turn is under the jurisdiction of the Grand Encampment of the United States.

All State Bodies are under the jurisdiction of the Grand Encampment of the United States.
The Knights Templar is the only Uniformed Body of the Freemasons. There is no requirement for a member of the Commandary to wear this uniform; however, to participate in parades, certain rituals, etc. there is a need. Another interesting fact is the Templars, in full uniform, participate in the 32° in the Scottish Rite.

Cryptic Masonry consists of three degrees. The first two are presented in all Councils; however, the Super Excellent Master is normally presented in larger region/state-wide gatherings.

 1. Royal Master

2. Select Master

3. Super Excellent Master

 To become a Cryptic Mason you must have completed to Royal Arch degree and be in good standing.

Cryptic degrees complete the York Rite Masonic Story; they provide the last bits of history to close the story of our speculative profession. The Cryptic degrees are the last degrees presented. If you choose to continue to the Commandary, those “degrees” are called orders.

The Council’s stated meetings are on the first Thursday of the month and meet with the other two York Rite Bodies, the Royal Arch and Commandary.
Each Council reports to the Grand Council of Indiana, who in turn is under the jurisdiction of the General Grand Council.

The Cryptic Masonry philanthropical workings support the Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation. The General Grand Council established the Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation to give Cryptic Masons an opportunity to turn Masonic philosophy into a living practice. Currently the Foundation is working with medical researchers to find agents to prevent atherosclerosis or more commonly known as hardening of the arteries. This work places thousands of dollars annually into the needed research to stop our nation's largest killer, atherosclerosis and heart disease.

Royal Arch Masonry confers 4 degrees:

 1. Mark Master

2. Virtual Past Master

3. Most Excellent Master

4. Royal Arch

To join the Royal Arch Chapter you must be a Master Mason in good standing, and petition for membership.
The Royal Arch Degrees provide further light in Masonry by providing greater insight into both the Fellowcraft and Master Mason degrees of the Blue Lodge. They are some of the most beautiful degrees in Masonry and provide the answers to a lot of “unanswered questions”.

Our stated meetings are the first Thursday of the month and we meet with the other two bodies of the York Rite, the Council and the Commandary.

Each Chapter reports to the Grand Chapter of the State of Indiana, who in turn is under the jurisdiction of the General Grand Chapter, International.

The York Rite also has an international body which has jurisdiction over 7,000 Chapters across the world.

The philanthropical duties of the Royal Arch Chapters is the Royal Arch Research Assistance.