The Mark degree is systematically a side-degree to the Fellow Craft’s degree and refers on the one hand to an old tradition of stonemasons: the marking of their work – individual stones – by the craftsmen by means of a personal mark. It thus represents the “oldest” Masonic customs in speculative freemasonry. On the other hand, the degree features a special stone of a building: the keystone. Mark Masonry is thus of a very operative character. The degree itself dates back to the mid-18th century. Its ritual is worked in English, Scottish, Irish and US constitutions as well as in others influenced by them, in rather similar versions.

Traditional and recognised Mark Masonry in Austria is dispensed in English and German languages, albeit under different jurisdictions. English-language Mark Masonry is worked by two lodges on the register of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales and its Districts and Lodges Overseas, while German-language Mark Masonry is embedded in the “Grand Chapter of Austria – Großkapitel von Österreich” (“York Rite”, no website) under the General Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons International (USA).

The New Quarries Lodge of MMM No. 1903 E.C. holds three regular meetings per year – in Vienna and other cities of Central Europe (e.g. Prague, Venice, etc.). For more details, refer to its website – https://nql1903.eu – or directly to its Secretary: info@nql1903.eu.

The Saint Margaret’s Lodge of MMM No. 1954 E.C. holds two regular meeting per year, in Vienna. For more details, you may contact its Secretary at secretary@sml-mmm.com.

The “Grand Chapter of Austria – Großkapitel von Österreich” (“York Rite”, no website) has eight Royal Arch Chapters in 4 Austrian cities, which are also working the Mark degree (both in the Austrian and the US “York” ritual). For more details, you may contact the York Rite Grand Secretary at konventsekretaer@york-rite.at.

Last revised: December 2020