Each priory within SMOTJ operates in a similar manner, but with a variety of focuses with Christian giving efforts, volunteering, and social gatherings.
Priory of the Holy Grail’s History
Our priory was founded in 1999 by John Ward Worlein and Patrick Ledray. Both were invested in Chicago and wanted a priory closer to home. Thus, the Priory of the Holy Grail was formed.
In the past, our group has taken part in overseas trips to the Holy Land with other members of SMOTJ, sent medical supplies to a hospital in Romania, helped to host golf tournaments to support US veterans, and volunteered at Twin Cities organizations like Feed My Starving Children. Our group also enjoys more social gatherings, like past Writers Guild meetings, Christmas and summer parties, and meeting up at breweries and restaurants around the Twin Cities to spend time together.
Current Priory Efforts
As of 2025, our group is refocusing our efforts on charitable giving within the Twin Cities, but also intends to explore how we can connect with other priories across the USA and abroad. At 16 members, we are looking for new people to join!
Why become a Templar?
Templars are historically Christian knights, protectors of the Holy Land and Christians living and traveling there. In today’s modern world, what does that mean for us?
Our priory focuses on:
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- Charitable giving to Christian based organizations, but also others helping the poor and underprivileged
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- Volunteering at Twin Cities charities to help those in need and come together as a group in a meaningful way
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- Having fun! We like to socialize and get together! Many of our members have known each other for 20-30 years and get together as friends outside of priory events as well.
Why join the Priory of the Holy Grail?
This is a question that each prospective member must ask, and answer, for him/herself. In the words of our Chaplain, Bill Colby-Newton:
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- Members of the Priory share my interest in medieval history – not many groups exist that foster that interest
- The Priory of the Holy Grail is a part of the national and international Templar Order, which, though not claiming any direct descent from the original Order, nonetheless affirms and adheres to the ideals that empowered the original Templars, in spite of “dungeon, fire, and sword,” to fulfill their mission – honor, integrity, loyalty, bravery, defense of the powerless, and not least faith in Christ – in short, the ideals we have come to understand as chivalry
- Our Founding Prior, COL Patrick Ledray, spearheaded the successful endeavor that culminated in our national Order becoming an official NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) of the United Nations
- Our Priory has been instrumental in the effort to combat PTSD among veterans by assisting the Every Third Saturday charity.
- We members of the Priory of the Holy Grail attempt to live a chivalrous life worthy of our spiritual Templar forebears; members of the Priory actively pursue opportunities to make a real, substantive difference in the world, both locally and globally:
- The Priory of the Holy Grail has, in the 26 years of its existence, added our contributions through the Jerusalem Mite offering to maintain the holy sites in Jerusalem and Palestine
- We have paid for the education of nursing students in the Holy Land through the Marcy Pollmann Nursing Scholarship
- We have sponsored other students in Palestine so they can pursue their education
- We have on many occasions gathered together to pack meals for the Feed My Starving Children effort
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- Members of the Priory of the Holy Grail enjoy a deep sense of camaraderie, which we foster in several ways – by frequent meetings of our Writers Guild, holiday parties, informal gatherings of members, and not least by means of our yearly Convent & Investiture and the ensuing formal banquet thereafter.
We look forward to engaging with any and all interested persons to explore possible membership in our Priory.
Interested in learning more?
Reach out to Prior Laura Ledray via email at HolyGrailPriory@gmail.com. Please introduce yourself and include a little information about why you are interested in joining SMOTJ and we will get together in person or via a video call soon thereafter!
Most of our events take place in person, but if you have travel or health concerns, we do intend to add more virtual events or opportunities for members as we grow. Please let Laura know if you have those concerns or questions via email.
Charitable Giving
Since April 2025, our Priory has donated:
- $1000 to the Ukrainian American Center in Minneapolis (August 2025). Learn more about UACCMN.
- $500 to Feed My Starving Children in Eagan (September 2025). Learn more about FMSC.
- As of October 2025, we are sponsoring Lamar, a young Christian woman in Ramallah in the Holy Land who is pursuing an education in hotel management. We are paying for her education for the next 2 years to alleviate the financial difficulties her family faces. Over the next 2 years we will send $4600 for her education. Learn more about providing a scholarship through the Raymond Davis Foundation.
Members also donate their money and time individually to various charitable organizations in the Twin Cities, and a couple members also sponsor other students in the Holy Land through the Raymond Davis Foundation.