History

The Sovereign Military Order Temple of Jerusalem - a heritage built on God Chivalry Family Friendship Faith Hope Loyalty Charity Community

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The Grand Priory of the United States of America (GPUSA)

or sometimes known as the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem
(SMOTJ) was officially established when the Secretary of State of New Jersey
issued the Proclamation of the Corporate Charter under the Official Seal of
that office on June 29, 1962.  GPUSA is affiliated with the international
Templar Organization (OSMTH) and retains autonomous status.

The Priory of Saint Vincent started
out as a Commandery in 1994 and
was elevated to a Priory on April 19th,
1997.  As St. Vincents continued to grow,
there was a need to establish
Preceptories to support members
in certain geographic regions in
South Carolina.  St Vincent has four
Preceptories and still growing!
The current Preceptories are:
Preceptory of the Holy Chalice
(Aiken/Augusta)
Preceptory of St. Christopher
(Columbia/Midlands)
Preceptory of the Rock
(Greenville-Spartanburg)
Preceptory of St. Michael the Archangel
(Coastal Region)


His Excellency Chester Fairbanks
Cotter, GCTJ, GMTJ,
of New York and Beaufort,
South Carolina proposed
the name St. Vincent, based on the subject
of a prized statue of his
that displayed the Saint cutting a large
bunch of grapes with an oversized pruning
knife, reminiscent of a Roman
short sword. Saint Vincent was a deacon,
a martyr of the Church of Saragossa, Spain,
who lived during the fourth century.
He is now regarded as patron saint,
protector of winemakers.