Evergreen State
Priory No 41 KYCH
Officers
Eminent Prior Alan T. Spreen
Deputy Prior Joseph McAlister
Warder Jay White
Registrar David Aponte, PP
Prelate Charles Davis
Orator Alexander Jordan
Herald David Sandretto
Sentinel Earl Fordham
Persona Rep D24 VE Jeremy C. Vaughn, PP
Link to Convent General - https://kych.org/
HISTORY
Evergreen State Priory #41 was chartered on August 14, 1948 with eight (8) charter members. The below listed Knights traveled to North Carolina to receive the degree and the charter:
James Roy Marr
William H. Searing
Clifford L. Evans
Rupert Eicholzer
Edward W. Hartley
James Clark
Charles E. Boughner
Willis Talbott
These Knights returned to Washington and went to work to organize and build a premier Masonic organization of which todays membership can justifiably be proud. One of the most important actions they took was to initiate a fraternal relationship with the newly chartered Oregon Priory #37. This close relationship has continued over the fifty-five year existence of Evergreen State Priory. There have been numerous joint meetings, social gatherings and an exchange of degree work as well as the strong fraternal relations which exist between the two Priories.
The Priory has exhibited a steady pattern of growth from its initial charter membership of eight (8) members to its present membership of approximately one hundred thirty-three. This growth is representative of the interest and dedication to the York Rite existing in the York Rite Bodies of Washington. Membership in the Knights of the York Cross of Honor and in Evergreen State Priory is a personal goal aspired to by most of the active York Rite Masons in Washington. Evergreen State Priory has attempted to maintain the image that membership in the Priory is an honor and not an automatic step after completing the basic requirements for membership.
Evergreen State Priory #41 is the only Knights of the York Cross of Honor Priory in the state of Washington and our By-Laws and Charter indicate the Priory is located in Seattle but the membership is drawn from the entire state. The Masonic membership of Washington is split along the Cascade Mountains with approximately two thirds of the members living on the west side of the mountains and the remaining one third living east of the mountains. This division of membership is also reflected in the membership of Evergreen State Priory. The Priory has attempted over the years to share the honors of elected office proportionately between the two geographical areas of the state. For many years this was accomplished through use of a nominating committee, but in 2003 the By-Laws were changed to allow members to submit Statements of Availability for offices. One positive aspect of doing this is that the meetings of the Priory are moved around the state. Since the Eminent Prior selects the location for meetings the meetings of Evergreen State Priory have been held in almost every area within the state. Traditionally the Priory has held two meetings each year with one being held east of the mountains and the other held on the west side. In the early years of its existence Evergreen Priory always held the meetings in an hotel or other public facility. In recent years this practice has been changed and now most of the meetings are conducted in various Masonic Halls around the state.
2026 Scheduled Events
Meets the 4th Saturday of April & October
Meeting starts at 1:00pm
April 25th, 2026 @ Pyramid Masonic Center
October 24th, 2026 @ Ellensburg Masonic Center
LIving Past Priors
2009 Bryan D. Bechler
2012 Donald J. Beck
2013 Anthony C Schwab
2015 Alfred J. Luberts Jr.
2018 Joseph MacIntyre
2019-2021 E Jeffrey Craig
2022 W. Gary Norton
Convent General Knights of the York Cross of Honour
2025-2026
ME H. Bart Henderson Most Eminent Grand Master-General
RE Charles A. McCollom Right Eminent Deputy Grand Master-General
RE Christopher A. Larsen II Right Eminent Grand Warder of the Temple
RE Bryce B. Hildreth Right Eminent Grand Treasurer-General
RE D. Allen Surratt Right Eminent Grand Registrar-General
RE Bryan D. Bechler Right Eminent Grand Seneschal
RE Russell E. Bridges
RE Prince D. Selvaraj
Right Eminent Grand Marshal
Right Eminent Grand Sentinel
E Brian R. Dodson
E Rick N. McCampbell
Eminent Grand Prelate
Eminent Grand Organist
For Official Information
Contact the Registrar:
E-mail: