Our Excellent Grand Steward was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on 6 January 1997 in the town of Bement, in Bement Lodge No. 365, A.F.&A.M. of Illinois, of which as Worshipful Master in the years 2000-2001. He is also a brother of the Illinois Lodge of Research.

He was advanced to the degree of Mark Master 25 June 1997 and exalted to the supreme degree of Holy Royal Arch Mason on 23 July 1997, both in Bement Chapter No. 65; over which he presided as Excellent High Priest in the years 2001-2002, and supervised as District Deputy Grand High Priest of the 5th West District. He is a member of the Illinois Order of High Priesthood; and was appointed and installed as Excellent Grand Steward of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Illinois on 28 July 2006.

Excellent Companion Porter was greeted as a Select Master in Sullivan Council No. 91, Cryptic Masons, on 12 September 1991 in Sullivan, and served as Thrice Illustrious Master thereof in the years 2001-2002. He received the degree of Super Excellent Master on 18 March 2000, and is a member of the Illinois Council of Thrice Illustrious Masters.

Steve was dubbed and created a Knight of the Valiant and Magnanimous Order of the Temple in Gil W. Barnard Commandery No. 74, Knights Templar of the State of Illinois, on 14 November 1998 in Sullivan, and served as their Eminent Commander in the years 2001-2002. He is a member of the Illinois Past Commanders’ Association.

As a Past Master, Past High Priest, Past Thrice Illustrious Master, and Past Eminent Commander, Sir Knight Porter was received into Illinois Priory No. 11, Knights of the York Cross of Honour, on 30 November 2002.

Our Excellent Grand Steward was ordained into Lilly of the Valley Tabernacle XLVI, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests, on 10 December 2005; was initiated into Eastern Illinois Council No. 356, Allied Masonic Degrees, in December 2001, where he was dubbed a Knight of the Red Branch of Eri in 2006; became a member of the Grand College of Rites, U.S.A., in March 2000; was received into Kentucky Chapter, Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor, in 2002; and is a member of East Central Illinois York Rite College No. 81.

Our Excellent Companion was created a 32° Scottish Rite Freemason and Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret the Valley of Danville on 31 October 1998, and has been a life member of the Scottish Rite Research Society since 2000.

Steve became a member of Betsy Ross Chapter, Order of the Sword of Bunker Hill, in Tuscola (now in Benton) on 17 April 1999; was admitted to the Enchanted Realm and made a Veiled Prophet in 2002 in Gao Grotto, M.O.V.P.E.R., in Danville; and was created a Noble of the Mystic Shrine on 16 April 1999 in Ansar Shrine, A.A.O.N.M.S., where he serves as the president of the Novats Unit.

In addition to the aforementioned research organizations, he has been a member of the Dormer Masonic Study Circle since 1999, the Masonic Study Society and the Quatuor Coronati Correspondence Circle, both since 2000. All three are based in London, England.

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