The Knights Templar is an international philanthropic chivalric order affiliated with Freemasonry. Unlike the initial degrees conferred in a Masonic Lodge, which only require a belief in a Supreme Being regardless of religious affiliation, the Knights Templar is one of several additional Masonic Orders in which membership is open only to Freemasons who profess a belief in the Christian religion. O
ne of the obligations entrants to the Order are required to declare is to protect and defend the Christian Faith. The full title of this Order is The United Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple and of St John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta. The word "United" in this title indicates that more than one historical tradition and more than one actual Order are jointly controlled within this system. John’s Commandery, No. 11, Knights Templar, was instituted January 23d, 1882, upon the petition of charter members Sir Chester Tilden, Sir David C. Bolander. The instituting ceremonies were conducted by officers of the Grand Commandery, Sirs William H. Cobb, E. C.; Henry H. Green, G.; and S. Waters, C. The following Sir Knights were the first officers of the new commandery: Chester Tilden, E. C.; David C. Card, G.; W. Bolander, C.
