As a matter of record, another Consistory, Fidelity Consistory No. 120, was chartered in Suffolk, Virginia, but deactivated in the 1980s, and its members were transferred to Alpha and Omega Consistory No. 9 in Norfolk, Virginia.

 

Although much of its early history is beyond our memory, the Virginia Council of Deliberation was organized in 1924 under the leadership of Illustrious John W. Barnes, 33º, the first Deputy for Virginia. In the late 1940s, SGIG Barnes was succeeded as Deputy by the Rev. Bishop (SGIG) H.Z. Plummer, 33º. Bishop Plummer was a well-known clergyman and author of Masonic literature. In the late 1960s, Bishop Plummer was succeeded as Deputy of the Orient by SGIG David L. Muckle, 33º, and, in January 1976, by SGIG John Henry Evans, Jr., 33º. Ill. Evans was then succeeded by SGIG Richard L. Jones, 33º, in 1989. Ill. Jones served as Deputy until March 2003 and was succeeded by SGIG George M. Ellis, Jr., 33º, who served as Deputy for the Orient until March 2010.  Illustrious Ellis's successor, Past Illustrious Deputy, SGIG Michael A. Parris, 33º, served the order as Deputy for the Orient under our previous allegiance to the United Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction, District of Columbia.  The United Supreme Council moved its headquarters to Memphis, Tennessee. Following discord within the United Supreme Council, the Consistory members of the Virginia Council of Deliberation, at their regular meeting in December 2015, overwhelmingly voted to surrender their Charters to the United Supreme Council in accordance with the Constitution. 

 

Based on an additional vote taken by the members in December 2016, the Consistories moved its affiliation to the newly formed United Supreme Council of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite for the 33 Degree of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, Prince Hall Affiliated Grand Orient, Washington, D.C., under the Leadership of Sovereign Grand Commander Dr. Ralph Slaughter.

 

Illustrious Parris was appointed by Sovereign Grand Commander Dr. Ralph Slaughter to serve as the Deputy for the Orient of Virginia and received the New Charters for the Consistories and Assemblies of Virginia on 27 February 2016.  Illustrious Parris' successor, Illustrious Deputy Nathaniel L. Hill, 33º, served the order until March 2020.  Due to Illness, Deputy Hill was succeeded by Illustrious Deputy Benjamin F. Harrison, Jr. During those early days of the establishment of the United Supreme Council – DC, several Virginia Sovereign Grand Inspector Generals were called upon to help get the newly formed United Supreme Council – DC up and operating.  SGIG Gilbert Reddings, 33o, was called upon to serve in the elected position of Grand Treasurer General, Holy Empire, United Supreme Council.  SGIG Michael A. Parris, 33o, was called upon to serve in the elected position of Grand Auditor General.  SGIG H. Glenn Brown, Sr. 33o, was instrumental in establishing and developing the membership database and accountable funds procedures.  SGIG James Gordon, 33o, established and coordinated the registration process during the United Supreme Council Session.  SGIG Keith Williams, 33o, was appointed to serve on the Sovereign Grand Commander Personal Security Detail.  SGIG Vincent K. Brooks, 33o, SGIG Gilbert Tyler, 33o, SGIG Beverly “Butch” Morgan, 33o, and SGIG Benjamin F. Harrison, Jr., 33o, were instrumental in the development and implementation of the Constitution for the newly formed United Supreme Council, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite for the Thirty-Third, and Last Degree of Freemasonry, For the United States of America and Its Jurisdictions, Prince Hall Affiliated.  Illustrious Harrison served as Deputy until January 2022 and was succeeded by Illustrious Deputy Keith Williams, 33o.

 

While aligning our Past with our Future, each Deputy did much to advance Scottish Rite Masonry in the Orient of Virginia during their respective stewardships. Most notably, Illustrious John W. Barnes established the Virginia Council of Deliberation, and the Rev. Bishop H.Z. Plummer is credited with publishing its first By-Laws. Illustrious David L. Muckle organized the Virginia Commanders of the Rite, a union of Thirty-Third Degree Masons. Illustrious J. Henry Evans established the tradition of an annual banquet honoring the ladies of Scottish Rite Masons.

 

Illustrious Deputy Richard Jones published the first set of By-Laws for the Virginia Commanders of the Rite. He also streamlined the order of succession for elected officers in the Council of Deliberation. Illustrious George M. Ellis, Jr., sought to increase Scottish Rite membership across the Orient by promoting the theme “Rededicate, Rejuvenate & Revive.” He also published the first edition of the history of the Council of Deliberation and its constituent Consistories.  Deputy Ellis authorized the wearing of the chain collars for the Council of Deliberation Officers and instituted the wearing of the Past Commander-in-Chief collar and jewel, as well as establishing a collar and jewel for the wearing by Grand Inspectors General.

 

"Raising the Bar to a Higher Level of Performance," Illustrious Deputy Michael A. Parris has ushered in an era of new initiatives, employing telecommunications systems that encourage the Consistories and Assemblies to move into the Digital age by converting their Analog financial records and migrating them into the software application program of QuickBooks for Windows, thereby enabling the Consistories and Assemblies to be more productive and stay on top of invoices, manage expenses, get reliable reports for tax time and import data from a spreadsheet.

Deputy Parris was appointed by Sovereign Grand Commander Dr. Ralph Slaughter to fill the elected position of the Grand Auditor General of the United Supreme Council. Illustrious Deputy Hill’s theme is “Remember – COMMITMENT ASSURES SUCCESS!”

 

Illustrious Deputy Benjamin F. Harrison, Jr. sought to improve the Orient of Virginia’s masonic knowledge and understanding by assisting the United Supreme Council to update its masonic training manuals and improve masonic knowledge.  Deputy Harrison’s theme was “Remember – WE ARE FAMILY.” After the passing of Illustrious Parris, Past Deputy Harrison was appointed by Sovereign Grand Commander Dr. Ralph Slaughter to fill the vacant elected position of the Grand Auditor General of the United Supreme Council and has continued to serve the Orient of Virginia in masonic knowledge and protocols.

 

Illustrious Deputy Keith Williams continues the era of new initiatives, with the updating and modernizing of website communications, promoting ritualistic proficiency in all Consistories and Assemblies, and continuation into the Digital Age to ensure every Consistory and Assembly migrate their records from Analog to Digital for historical access and availability so future generations don’t forget where we came from as we continue to move into the future of Scottish Rite Masonry.  Deputy Williams’ theme is “FOCUSING ON FUTURE SUCCESS TOGETHER!”

 

The Virginia Council of Deliberation meets annually during the month of March, and its officers are elected to serve up to two consecutive years, except the Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary, who may succeed themselves. Its history shows that 67 Fraters have held the title of First Lieutenant Commander or Honorary First Lieutenant Commander, which is the highest elective office in Virginia.

 

The Virginia Council of Deliberation Officers currently is as follows: