Click here to view all of the Grand Commandery Awards and Honors recipients.
Grand Cross Templar (GCT)
The Grand Cross Templar is a version of the KGT, denoting membership in the College of Honors only and is of the same level as the KGC. There are no other holders, other than the active and emeriti members of the College of Honors.
Knight Grand Cross of the Temple (KGT)
There is a limit of twenty seven Templars not including Grand Encampment elected officers and Past Grand Masters of Grand Encampment. The GCT is the highest decoration awarded by the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar.
Knight Templar Cross of Honor (KTCH)
The Knight Templar Cross of Honor is the highest honor awarded by the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar. It is awarded “only for exceptional and meritorious service rendered to the Order, far beyond the call of duty, and beyond the service usually expected of an officer or member.” In deciding upon the award, precedents shall be entirely ignored and each case shall be decided upon its own unusual merits. No posthumous award shall be made, and no present or past elected Grand Officer of a Grand Commandery shall be eligible for the award.
Knight Commander of the Temple (KCT)
Knight Commander of the Temple (abbreviated KCT) is the second highest decoration of the Grand Encampment, and was adopted in the 1991-1994 Triennium. One or more Sir Knights may be honored each year in a jurisdiction with this award, recognizing the honoree’s service to the causes of Templary.
Membership Jewel
Any Sir Knight who is the first line signer for a total of ten petitioners who are either Knighted or restored to membership, is eligible to receive the Grand Encampment Membership Jewel. Those being restored to membership must have been off the active list for a period of one year or more in order to qualify in the count. The total is cumulative with no time boundaries. This means a Sir Knight can get his total of ten Knightings and/or restorations in one day, one month, one year, five years, or whatever, so long as the award continues to be authorized.
Further recognition in the form of a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster is given for each five additional Knightings, restorations, or combination of both. A single Silver Oak Leaf Cluster replaces all bronze clusters when the recipient qualifies for his fifth additional recognition. A single Gold Leaf Cluster replaces all silver and bronze clusters when recipient qualifies with his 135th Knighting or Restoration. No more than 8 clusters may be worn on the ribbon at any time.
James M. Ward Meritorious Award
Awarded annually by the Eminent Grand Commander, this award recognizes that Sir Knight who has shown distinguished service during the year for his work and other services. The award is a pure-white shoulder cord, or aiguillette.
Holy Land Pilgrimage Foundation Award
This award is presented to those sir knights who have shown exemplary graciousness by donating $500.00 or more to the Mississippi Holy Land Pilgrimage Endowment Fund. Started by Grand Commander Jordan Downs in 2018, the Fund seeks to provide a long term funding platform for Mississippi ministers to travel to the Holy Land on a pilgrimage.