About the Valley of Martinsburg

Martinsburg Lodge of Perfection was chartered the 20th day of October 1921.  Frank Van Horn was installed as Venerable Master. The Frederick Maryland Lodge of Perfection was very instrumental in the Lodge applying for a charter.  They attended many of our meetings thru the years and assisted with degree work.  The charter was signed by Illustrious Brother John Cowles 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander.

The Martinsburg Chapter Rose Croix applied for Letters Temporary in May 1985, and they were granted at the Supreme Council session on October 16, 1985.  The permanent charter was applied for on June 1, 1987, and the charter was granted on October 16, 1987. Paul A. Sharff was installed as Wise Master.

At a regular meeting of the Lodge of Perfection on April 5, 1991, it was voted to petition for a Council of Kadosh and Consistory.  Thirty members and four dual members signed the petition.  Letters Temporary was granted on October 15, 1991.  During the two years we initiated thirty-four candidates and had 198 affiliations.  We lost three through death and the membership stood at two hundred sixty-three.  We applied for our permanent charter on June 1, 1993, and said charter was granted on October 19, 1993.  Illustrious Brother Paul A. Sharff 33° as Commander of Kadosh – 30th Degree; Brother R. Samuel Harrison 32° as Master of Kadosh – 32nd Degree.  Illustrious Brother Joseph Finfrock, Sr. 33° Personal Representative to the Sovereign Grand Inspector General in West Virginia gave our guidance for the future.