The Honorable John P. Saylor, H.R.M., R.S.Y.C.S.

John P. Saylor photo from the Special Collections and Archives Department of the Patrick J. Stapleton Library at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania

On September 28th, 1972, Congressman John P. Saylor was admitted into the Royal Order of Scotland as the exemplar for the degree of Heredom of Kilwinning at the 95th Annual Meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge R.S.Y.C.S. and the Provincial Grand Chapter H.R.M. of L.L.W.N.G. of the Royal Order of Scotland of the United States of America at the Statler Hilton Hotel in Boston Massachusetts.  The most profound ceremonies of this Trinitarian Christian Order were worked in the presence of the Deputy Grand Master and Governor of the Royal Order, The Right Hon. The Earl of Elgin and Kincadine, D.L., J.P., M.A. and the Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of the Royal Order of Scotland, Sir Harold C. M. Eggo, T.D., M.A., the Provincial Grand Master Sir Marvin E. Fowler and an entire room full of dignitaries including Donald W. Voss, Grand Master of Masons of Massachusetts and Sovereign Grand Commander George A. Newbury (1895-1984) of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.  Saylor had been dubbed “St John” in the political arena for his work advocating for environmental issues.  Just one month later on October 28th, 1972, Sir John Phillips Saylor died of a heart attack in Houston, Texas.

by D. Sheihan Hunter Lindez