Order of DeMolay   

This is an organization operated by the Masons for youth between the ages of 14 and 21 that was founded by Frank S. Land in 1919.  It was established in Kansas City, Missouri.

It was named after Jacques DeMolay, the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar. (See "The Temple and the Lodge" page 266)

See "The Short Talk Bulleting March 1969" for more information.

The first boy to take the oath and obligation of The Order of DeMolay for Boys was Louis Lower.

First Chapter was formed in Kansas City, Missouri

Second Chapter was formed in Trenton, Missouri

Third Chapter was formed in Omaha, Nebraska.

When started the Order of DeMolay was for boys between 16 and 21 but the minimum age was dropped to 14 around the time of the start of WW2 in an attempt to not lose its leadership to any future military draft.

It is said that there were 100,000 members in 1929.  In 1969 there were 165,000 active members in 2510 chapters throughout the US, Canada, and 9 other countries.