Our Orders
Knights Templar & Malta
The Great Priory of the United Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple and of St John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta of England and Wales and its Provinces Overseas, through the Provincial Priory of Kent
About the order
Masonic Knights Templar recall the medieval knights who protected pilgrims to Jerusalem. In the installation ceremony the candidate plays a pilgrim who is made a knight.
The earliest record of the degree in England is from 1778, again in Portsmouth. A Grand Conclave was formed in 1791, and by 1873 it had become Great Priory, with local ‘encampments’ renamed ‘preceptories’.
Each preceptory also confers the Order of Malta. The order's main charity supports the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group.
The degrees
Degree 1
Knight Templar
Degree 2
Knight of Malta
Meeting at Franklin Rooms
1 preceptory meets at Franklin Rooms.
The Galloway Preceptory No. 596
Great Priory of England and Wales
- Founded:
- Warranted 10 February 1995
- Meets:
- 2nd Friday in February, May and October
Meeting details change — please confirm with the lodge or chapter before visiting. Listings last reviewed 29 September 2026.