Welcome to the Knights Templar
KTGPA
 L'Ordre du Temple de Jerusalem
 

The Order of the Temple of Jerusalem

43 Grand Priories around the world...
This is The Grand Priory of America

​

Today’s Order of the Knights Templar take their inspiration from the highest ideals and values of the medieval Order of the Knights Templar. We are their spiritual heirs. We are a Christian (Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox), fraternal, chivalric Order. We are not political and not affiliated with the Masons. The members of our Order commit to vows of Knighthood to live a life of honor by exhibiting certain virtues. We choose a life of purpose and meaning by taking a stand for what is right in our families, our community and our nation.

We are ecumenical meaning we are not affiliated with any single denomination but represent all of Christendom.

 

The Knights Templar has a rich and powerful history that spans over 900 years. Since its founding in the year 1118 A.D., it has had tremendous impact on history throughout Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Its primary purpose has been and continues to be to give glory and honor to our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Today, we thrive with an international membership of men and women who are dedicated to living and sharing a life according to the teachings of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

 Our Goals & Core Values
 

• Spread the light of Christ in an increasingly dark world.

 

• Promote spiritual and corporal works of mercy, charity and benevolence.   

​

• Act as a force to unify all Christians under the banner of Christ.  

​

• Perpetuate Knights Templar traditions by defending Christendom.

​

• Live a life of Chivalry and hold each other accountable for excellence.

​

• Promote historical studies, heraldry and the genealogy of the Order.

​

• Promote brotherhood and solidarity among all people through
the values ​​of friendship, loyalty and respect.

​
 

Today, The Order of the Temple of Jerusalem is headed by our Grand Master, Brigadier General Ronald S. Mangum and its Grand Priory of The United States is headed by Bishop Caesar Johnson (Grand Prior, Knights Templar Grand Priory of America).

​

The Grand Priory of America is a major component of the original Order of the Temple of Jerusalem. Our Priories and Commanderies encompass all 50 states and we fall under the guidance and control of our Leadership Council OTJ - Global - our International Governing body.

​

We have a very long and proud history of serving God and His people across the country. We are committed to spreading the Good Word or our Lord and Savior and to making a difference in the lives of those around us. Our motto is “of HIS people, by HIS people, for HIS people” and we mean every word of it.

 

Our Masters are elected, just as it has been done since the beginning of the Order.  The position of Grand Master cannot be passed on through anyone’s will or by being the heir of a Grand Master. Any, so-called, “Templar” Order that uses those claims to support the Grand Master succession is not legitimate. Our Order strives for the highest ideals and draws its inspiration from the ancient Order of the Temple. We strive to be the spiritual and philosophical heirs to the ancient Knights Templar founded by Hugues de Payens in 1118.  

​

Our Order was recognized by His Imperial Majesty, Napoleon Bonaparte, by imperial decree in 1807.  In 1853, it was given recognition by Emperor Napoleon III.  In 1918, the Order was re-registered in France in accordance with French law.  On January 19th, 1932, it was registered in Brussels, Belgium: 1957 Namur / Belgium BE-410 20708.  This recording was done by three Belgian Templars in Brussels, Joseph Cleeremans, Gustave Jonckbloedt and Théodore Covias.  The record of the registration appears in the Belgian Monitor on January 20, 1933.  Lastly, our Order was re-registered in Namur, Belgium, on November 15th, 1975.

 

The Knights Templar Grand Priory of America and this website are wholly owned by The Order of the Temple of Jerusalem and The Knights Templar Grand Priory of America. Membership includes Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox.   We work to spread the light of Christ in an increasingly dark world.