A History of Fort Bend Commandery No. 74

Written by Michael Blair, Past Commander, in the Year of our Lord, 2011

A group of Sir Knights in Fort Bend County were longing for a Commandery of their own. As a few were members of Bay City Commandery No. 74, an idea was proposed of moving this Commandery to Fort Bend County to see if more interest could be generated. The Commandery had fallen into outpost status and was no longer able to work or meet. As an outpost they were not able to make new Sir Knights or stand inspections. The current president was SK John Woolsey. He was approached with the idea of possibly moving the Commandery on a trial basis to Rosenberg, Texas.

In 2003 and 2004, Bay City Commandery was moved to Fort Bend County at Rosenberg Lodge. Twelve Sir Knights took on the challenge of bringing an outpost back to a full Commandery.   These Sir Knights included Robert Bird, Rick Stanley, Doug Callaway, Stephen Bontempo, Michael Blair, Brian R. Dodson, John Woolsey, Buriene Stewart, Neal Skinner, & R.L. Gaston.

In 2003 & 2004, Douglas Callaway was installed as President of the Outpost and set it work on the process of learning the work and standing inspection in 2005. The task was a large one as only a few of the Sir Knights had ever stood an inspection.  It took many meetings and a large amount of time to learn the basics, but perseverance was on their side and in a few months, they had achieved a solid ability to open and close. During these months, a shocking turn of events occurred.  Sir Knights started to come to the meetings to see what was going on. A lot of Sir Knights in Fort Bend County did not below on Bay City Commandery No. 74, but were excited to see it working.

We then set to the task of learning the Order of the Temple, as most of the Sir Knights had only seen it at a festival. We called a few people in to help teach us the floor work. Sir Knights Wunsche, Dodson, Shivley and others aided us in this endeavor.

We were missing most of our gear and had to make due. As the years go on, we are acquiring new items and with the demise of Alpine Commandery we were able to acquire some gear.

During this time, with the help of Ruthven No. 2, a few more members were added to our rolls and this gave us more members attending. As an average we are having 14-18 a meeting.

In October of 2005, Bay City No. 74 stood its first inspection in years and to the amazement of all, passed. This was a milestone not only for us, but for the Grand Commandery. We were the first Commandery to come back from Outpost Status to a full-fledged Commandery. This is a feat of which we are all proud. This allowed us to start knighting new members. 

We went to Richmond Chapter and Council and started talking about Commandery and with a great deal of success. The members were here and people did want to come and join.

We were finally able to receive our Charter and we asked to be renamed to Fort Bend Commandery No. 74. This was granted to us in 2006. 

We ordered a new battle standard and started to the process of raising Sir Knights. This was a bigger undertaking than most realized as we started raising 10-20 a year. Our bylaws were rewritten and we started becoming a member of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation. Through the hard work of Sir Knight Blair we won the $5 a member award, and then the $10 that next year. We have a strong tradition of charity in Fort Bend County and this is carried through Commandery. 

It was during Past Commander Brian Dodson's year that a decision was made that our meals of Fried Chicken and trimmings be formalized. It is a tradition now and just make sure you don't take the last wing, or Past Grand Commander Wunsche might get you.

Neal Skinner was an amazing force in helping us to move forward and his role as Recorder in these formative years was essential. His baton was passed to Past Commander Rick Stanley and his efforts have given us a great foundation. 

Buriene Stewart took the pivotal role of Warder. He held this chair for a number of years and was an anchor for us. He was a stalwart member and never missed a practice. He was honored in 2008 with the honorary title of Past Commander. 

Sir Knights Gaston, Woolsey, and Bird were instrumental in helping get all the paperwork and process moving with the Grand Commandery.  Sir Knight Woolsey was really proud to see the Commandery thriving again.

Douglas Callaway was the organizer and leader in the initial days. His efforts to help focus us and drive us back to a Full Commandery was nothing short of the definition of leadership.  SK Callaway's passing was a shock to us all and was the first test of our metal.  He was our prelate and his passing left a huge vacancy in our ranks. 

Upon Sir Knight Callaway's passing, the Commandery decided to honor his legacy with a Traveling Commanders jewel. This jewel was purchased from the Permanent Endowment Badge project for Sir Knight Wunsche and is engraved with this his name and the title of Traveling Commander's Jewel . This jewel is to be worn with honor by the sitting Commander of Fort Bend Commandery No. 74. 

Our inspections have not always gone as one would like. We have had power failures, Inspecting officers go to the old location, or even locked out of the lodge room just to name a few. And on one Occasion if Past Grand Commander Shivley had not been in attendance we might not have passed inspection. 

The main idea of Fort Bend Commandery is FUN. Yes, Fun. If you don't like a laugh, we are not for you. We have amazing fellowship and camaraderie.