About – Connecticut Scottish Rite

Headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts, the Supreme Council, 33° Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite is the governing body for Scottish Rite Freemasonry, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.

The Scottish Rite, NMJ oversees 15 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, and Vermont.

The role of Chief Executive Officer for the Scottish Rite, NMJ is performed by the Sovereign Grand Commander, Illustrious Walter F. Wheeler, 33°, who was installed in August 2023.

Commander Wheeler began his journey as a member of Grand Rapids Chapter, Order of DeMolay in 1970. He served as Master Councilor in 1973 and District Master Councilor of District #4 in 1974. He is a holder of the degree of Chevalier, as well as the DeMolay Legion of Honor. In 2012 he was inducted into the Michigan DeMolay Hall of Fame. He is an Active member of the DeMolay International Supreme Council. He is also a recipient of the Grand Cross of Honor from International Order of Rainbow for Girls and the Grand Triangle of Honor from Job’s Daughters International.

Commander Wheeler was raised a Master Mason in Grand River Lodge #34 (now Grand Rapids Lodge #34) in 1977 and served as Worshipful Master in 1985. He served the Grand Lodge of Michigan as Grand Master from 2006-2007 and Grand Treasurer from 2007-2010. He holds Honorary Membership in 25 Michigan Lodges. He is an Honorary Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey. Commander Wheeler served as the Executive Director/CEO for the Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation from 2009-2020.

He has been a Scottish Rite Mason since 1980 and is a member of the Valley of Michigan. He was coroneted a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33°, Honorary member of the Supreme Council in 1997 in Grand Rapids. Commander Wheeler was made an Active Member of the Supreme Council in Boston in 2009.

The Supreme Council is composed of 49 trustees, known as Active Members. Each of the 15 states within the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction has an Active Member designated as a Deputy.

The Scottish Rite, NMJ refers to state organizations as Councils of Deliberation. The Deputy serves as the executive officer for Scottish Rite Freemasonry within his state. He is supported by the remaining Active Members of the state.

The role of Executive Officer for the Connecticut Council of Deliberation is performed by our Deputy, Illustrious Kevin J. Hecht, 33°, who was installed in August 2021. Ill. Bro. Kevin joined the Scottish Rite in 1990, was conferred the 33° in 1998, and served as Active for Connecticut since 2014. Ill. Bro. Kevin is also Director, Human Resources, Supreme Council, NMJ.

Local bodies within each State Council of Deliberation are organized into what are known as Valleys. Each Valley has up to four Scottish Rite bodies, and each body confers a set of degrees.

In the Scottish Rite, NMJ, these bodies are the:

The Connecticut Council of Deliberation has one additional Active. This role of Active is performed by Illustrious Bruce T. Work, 33°, who was installed in August 2021. Ill. Bro. Bruce joined the Scottish Rite in 1976 and was conferred the 33° in 1990. Ill. Bro. Bruce is also our immediate Past Deputy for Connecticut. Thank you for your accomplished works as our Deputy and your continued dedication to Connecticut Scottish Rite as our current Active.

32° Scottish Rite Freemasonry is a way for a Mason to build upon the ethical teachings and philosophy offered in the craft lodge (also known as Blue Lodge), which consists of the first three degrees of Freemasonry: Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason.

The Connecticut Council of Deliberation meets on an annual basis, at which time the business of the fraternity is conducted and the Meritorious Service Awards are conferred on those who have been elected to receive this honor.

Past Proceedings of this CT C.O.D.