The Priory of St. Clair (Detroit, MI) had its humble beginning as a Commandery in 1998 under the auspices of The Priory of St. John the Baptist (Milwaukee, WI). The Commandery was originally known as “Outre Mer” (across the sea), a reference to the states created and maintained by Crusaders and their descendants in the Middle East.

The Commandery was authorized to “stand up” as a Priory on 06 November 1999. It is assigned to Region Four of the Grand Priory of the United States of America (GPUSA). The founding Prior was the Honorable Chev. Charles S. “Terry” Davis III. Located in the Detroit area, the Priory assumed the name of St. Clair. The French explorer, Rene Robert Cavelier Sieur de La Salle, named a large body of water in the area Lac Sainte-Claire because he and his fellow explorers entered that body of water on 11 August 1679, the Feast Day of St. Clare of Assisi.

The vicinity in and around Detroit boasts of many sites and locations bearing the name St. Clair: Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River, St. Clair County, St. Clair Township, and the cities of St. Clair
and St. Clair Shores. It therefore, seemed only natural that this new Priory be named The Priory of St. Clair.

In 2003 the Priory “stood up” the Commandery of Canada, located across the Detroit River in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The Canadian expansion was called for by former Grand Prior, RADM Chev. James Carey(Grand Prior X). In 2004 the Canadian Commandery was elevated to the Priory of the Ascension of Our Lord and its founding Prior was the Rt. Rev. Sir Ronald Matthewman. This was the first “foreign” Priory established by the Grand Priory of the United States of America and would in time become the Grand Priory of Canada. The Priories of St. Clair and The Ascension of Our Lord, separated only by the Detroit River, continued to hold joint Investitures for several years.

On 01 April 2006, COL (ret) Chev. Larry B. Main (Prior II) assumed the office as Prior of St. Clair. It was during his tenure in office that the two Priories began to hold separate Investitures. Although there is still a very close relationship between the two Priories, St. Clair began to hold its Convents and Investitures (C/I) at The Manressa Retreat House, a Jesuit owned and operated Retreat House in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, a community just north of Detroit proper. During the leadership of Prior Main, the members of the Priory chose as their charitable activities several avenues of community support. The Priory sponsored a yearly scholarship for the training of Emergency Medical Technicians at Henry Ford Community College. This sponsorship enabled a fully trained EMT to enter a newly chosen field of employment and service. Additionally, Priory members performed supporting work at the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministry. The first Saturday of each month several members of the Priory gathered in downtown Detroit to render whatever service was needed by the DRMM. This could be helping to prepare and serve meals, to painting or just general cleanup. The Priory has also developed an active Silent Knight program which uses either Priory Charitable Funds or direct member donations to provide assistance in local situations of need. This program helps, in a very small way, to put someone back on the track of being self-supporting and a contributing member of the community.

Prior Main (Prior II) relinquished his Command of the Priory to CAPT (CGR) Dr. Chev. Mark Richard Lord Villeneuve, MD, Baron of Ambro, during the Priory Investiture on 26 September 2009.

In 2007, under the leadership and guidance of Dr. Chev. Mark Villeneuve (Prior III), an acknowledged expert in heraldry, the Priory developed a Priory Crest and Coat of Arms. Within the Coat of Arms, the cities of Detroit and Windsor, the areas of the founding members of the Priory of St. Clair, are separated by the Detroit River which is depicted on the Coat of Arms in the shape of a blue chevron. The fleurs-de-lis surrounding the Coat of Arms symbolize that the area of Detroit was initially explored and founded by the French. The Coat of Arms contains both the U.S. emblem and the Canadian red maple leaf, symbolizing the close relationship of the past and the continued close relationship in the present. Our common membership in the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem is represented by the red Patriarchal Cross, the basis of our heritage as Knights Templar. The crest at the top of the shield has an eagle looking somewhat backward. This represents, in any heraldic symbolism, circumspection and the Priories ability to be vigilant and circumspect.

Following his two years in office, Prior Villeneuve (Prior III) handed the banner of leadership to CH (LTC) (ret) Chev. Darrell A. Neves (Prior IV) during the Convent/Investiture on Saturday, 24 September 2011

In 2009, CH (COL) (ret) Chev. John P. Schmeling PhD, GOTJ, was invited by Grand Master BG (ret) Patrick Rae of OSMTH to serve as an Ambassador Representative to the United Nations in Vienna, Austria and Geneva, Switzerland. CH Schmeling was serving as an Ambassador Representative for the SMOTJ, serving on the Human Rights Council. This position meant making numerous trips to Geneva in his role as Ambassador. He served in this capacity until his retirement as Representative in 2018.

At the Grand Convent, 2011, held in San Antonio, Texas, COL (ret.) Chev. Larry Main, Prior II, was awarded and elevated to the rank of Grand Croix. Chev. Main (GCTJ) had not only served as Prior of St Clair for several years, but for a number of years he also served as the Deputy Grand Prior for Region IV of the GPUSA.

In the spring of 2012, the Priory began to use the Jesuit operated facilities of Colombiere Retreat and Conference Center in Clarkston, Michigan as a base of operations for both the spring and fall Convents. In the spring of the year (March) the Priory Convent focuses on the annual meeting and the training of prospective members (Postulants). This particular Convent is also used to recognize promotions and awards for Priory members. At the fall Convent (September) members gather to Invest new Knights and Dames into the Priory. A formal banquet is then held in honor of the newly invested members.

At the Convent/Investiture held on Saturday, 21 September 2013, LTC (ret) Chev. Joseph J. Gabelsberger was elevated, in a change-of-command ceremony, to Prior (V). Due to health issues, Prior Gabelsberger was unable to complete his term of office. Dr. Chev. Douglas Hegyi, Chancellor, assumed the remaining time as “Acting Prior.” Chev. Hegyi was then elected to the position of Prior and assumed the role of Prior (VI) on 19 September 2015. Chev. Michael T. Fisher KCTJ, was elected to the leadership position of Prior (VII) during the March Business/Convent Meeting in 2017. He assumed the responsibilities of the Office of Prior during the annual Priory Convent/Investiture held on Saturday, 15 September 2017. That sameyear he was promoted to the rank of Grand Officer, GOTJ.

At the annual Grand Priory, held at Milwaukee, Wisconsin 22-26 May 2019, Dr. Chev. Douglas Hegyi, GOTJ GCTJ, Prior (VI), was awarded the Commandeur, Order of Merit. This award is one of the greatest honors the Grand Priory can bestow upon an individual Knight. Chev. Hegyi had not only served as Prior VI of St Clair, he also had served on the Grand Prior’s staff as Grand Chirurgeon.

During the Convent/Investiture held on Saturday, 14 September 2019, Chev. Frederick E. Kaiser Jr., KCTJ, was elevated in a change-of-command ceremony and became Prior (VIII) of the Priory of St. Clair. He assumed his duties and responsibilities as Prior on 01 January 2020. Prior Kaiser’s tenure was extended one additional year due to the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the Convent/Investiture held on Saturday, 17 September 2022, Chvse. Karen Beth Kaiser, DCTJ, was elevated in a change-of-command ceremony and became Prior (IX) of the Priory of St. Clair. She assumed her duties and responsibilities as Prior on 01 January 2023.