Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Masonic Royal and Select Masters Jewel for Julius O. Christensen
1920
Maker not marked
USA
A: Metal, diamond; B-C: Leather, silk, velvet
Gift of Robert C. Baker
2006.015.2a-c

A: Gold-tone Masonic Royal and Select Masters jewel with horizontal pin back. Front of pin is an openwork archway with a triangle in the middle. Along the archway is engraved lettering, "Julius O. Christensen." Suspended from the pin by two chains is an openwork archway supported by two columns with checkered flooring below. At top center is a keystone. In between the columns is a circle with a trowel and two crossed swords in the middle. The trowel has a small diamond surrounded by engraving of an all-seeing eye and glory rays. Engraved along the circle is "Shekinah Council No. 24 1920." B-C: Black leather folding case that closes with one snap. One flap of the case has separated from the body of the case. One side flap has an envelope. The top and bottom flaps are lined with purple silk. The back is lined with purple velvet. The side flap, which is detached, is stamped with gold text, "Barr Jewelry Co. / Kansas City, Mo."

Originally owned by the donor's grandfather, Julius O. Christensen (1875-1947) of Kansas City, Missouri. Christensen immigrated to the United States from Odense, Denmark, coming through Ellis Island in 1893. After attending Beloit College in Wisconsin, he married Elizabeth Strack in 1900 at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Batavia, Wisconsin. The couple moved to Kansas City, where Julius was employed by the Independent Electric Machinery Company. They had one daughter (the donor's mother), Vera (Christensen) Baker. Julius Christensen petitoned Ivanhoe Lodge in Kansas City in 1906 and was raised on January 17, 1907. He was Worshipful Master in 1912. In 1917, he was named Secretary of the Ivanhoe Masonic Temple Company (the Temple was completed in 1921). Christensen was also active in the York Rite and a member of Ararat Temple of the Shrine. This jewel is dated 1920, the year he became High Priest. In December 1933 he was Secretary of Ivanhoe Lodge and Kansas City Royal Arch Chapter and Recorder of the Kansas City Commandery of the Knights Templar. Julius O. Christensen died in 1947.