Older than the Grand body that governs them.

The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the Republic of Texas was formed by a convention of delegates from the Chapters of San Felipe de Austin (Galveston), Cyrus (Matagorda), Lone Star (Austin), and Rising Star (San Augustine). A constitution was adopted on 21 December 1841, but San Felipe de Austin declined to sign and withdrew from the convention.

The General Grand Chapter of the United States did not regard the formation of the Grand Chapter of the Republic of Texas as legitimate, since the Texas body had not sought permission to form. The national organisation was therefore determined to suppress it. After failing by milder means, the General Grand Chapter passed a resolution in 1847 forbidding Royal Arch Masons residing in Texas from having Masonic relations with those under the jurisdiction of the Grand Chapter of Texas. Two years later, “for the sake of peace and harmony among the Craft,” the Grand Chapter dissolved.

After that resolution, a group of Royal Arch Masons in Houston petitioned the General Grand Chapter for its permission to open a Chapter in Texas. A dispensation was granted to Washington Chapter No. 2 on 5 May 1848. The Chapter received its charter on 13 September 1850, when the General Grand Chapter held its triennial convocation in Boston.

A Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons was established on 30 December 1850. Washington Chapter was represented by its Most Excellent High Priest Ebenezar B. Nichols, C. W. Buckley (proxy for Excellent King Robert Brewster), and Excellent Scribe Jonathan N. Reed. The Chapter surrendered the authority it had received from the General Grand Chapter, and received a Charter dated 25 June 1851.

The Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Texas was organised on 24 June 1856 by Houston Council No. 10, Austin No. 22, and Coleman. The Grand Council’s records do not show whence these Councils received their Charters, but the records of the Grand Council of Kentucky show that one came from Kentucky, one from Alabama, and one from New York.

By 1860 there were twenty-one Councils under the jurisdiction of the Grand Council of Texas. With the advent of the war, interest in the Cryptic degrees began to wane, and in June 1864 the Grand Council of Texas turned the degrees of Royal Master and Select Master over to the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Texas, instructing all subordinate Councils to append themselves to the nearest Royal Arch Chapter. Houston Council No. 1 — previously No. 10 — appended itself to Washington Chapter No. 2.

The Grand Council was reorganised on 3 December 1907 in Waco. Representing Houston Council No. 1 were Past Thrice Illustrious Masters John C. Kidd, Frank C. Jones, A. N. McRae, and Ingram S. Roberts. The Council was allowed to retain its original Charter, and was issued a new Charter bearing the same name and number.