Our History
The Convent General, USA was established on April 24, 2003, as the governing body for all Prince Hall Priories of the Knights of the York Cross of Honour. On March 23, 2005, a devoted group of fifteen York Rite Masons — all members of John R. Gilmore Priory No. 2 (Pennsylvania) — petitioned the Convent General, USA, for a charter to establish a Knights of the York Cross of Honour Priory in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Their petition was formally submitted and carried forward through the Order’s deliberative process.
At the 2005 Annual Session held in Dayton, Ohio, the Convent General, USA — the governing body for all Prince Hall Priories — voted to approve the request. The charter for Virginia Priory No. 8 was issued on June 11, 2005.