The mission 0f the August Fraternity is to instruct individuals to harmonize their life with Divine Law in all aspects of their life, physical, mental and spiritual. Instruction and correspondence with students of the Fraternity is by mail. Students, however, like to meet their guide and instructor face to face so that they can discuss their own experiences and be guided through personal instructions.

To accommodate the student’s desire for this direct contact, they are invited to Beverly Hall to attend seminars of a spiritual nature. Several of these spiritual retreats, called convocations, are offered each year. Convocations are a time for group discussion, personal instruction, silent retreat and an opportunity to recharge their “spiritual batteries.”

The first convocation at Beverly Hall was held during June 1911. Because the grounds were without sleeping accommodations, attendees slept in hotels in nearby central Quakertown. During this first convocation, the attendees and instructors quickly realized the value of being able to stay on the grounds during their entire stay. It was also recognized by all attendees that if such sessions were to be held in the future, it would be necessary to erect suitable buildings as quickly as possible. Such were the beginnings of Beverly Hall located in the rolling hills of beautiful Bucks County, PA.

The Headquarters for the Great Work developed far beyond anything dreamed of in those early formative days. The original plan for Beverly Hall was to make it a center from which all instructions were issued and where one or two limited sessions of convocations or conferences would be held each year. Additionally, the original plan was that only a few select individuals would be invited to these limited convocations.

This initial idea was patterned after a the meetings of a very select and little known group recognized as “The Initiates.” They met yearly for the purpose of serious study, contemplation, conversation of an elevating nature and discussions without argument. Each member was responsible to make certain that all rules were strictly and willingly obeyed. All food was prepared and all necessary work performed by the Initiate members attending. This original plan was clearly monastic in simplicity and behavior.

However, the original strict ascetic plan patterned after the “Unknown Initiates and their Monastery” was modified because of the greater number of students enrolled. Dedicated members now provided home-cooked meals and greater attention given to the individual student’s experience at convocation. But some of the original elements remained. Attendance is possible only by invitation, followed by application scrutiny of the student’s record. Convocation was, and still is, considered a privilege, not a right.

Students attendees earn this privilege by a willingness to serve, by obedience to the rules, acts of graciousness, a desire to study, lack of gossip and eagerness for elevating conversation. Furthermore, this privilege is earned by a spirit of sincere devotion to things Spiritual, respect for themselves as well as others, and lastly, reverence for the Divine Laws of God.

Beverly Hall is a place of lightheartedness that naturally results from inner wholeness(holiness) and graciousness. Just as a free conscience brings peace of heart and mind, so does true nobleness of character result from constant effort and service. For this reason Beverly Hall was founded.

Each of the buildings illustrated in this section plays an important part in the both the mission of the Fraternity and yearly convocations held at Beverly Hall. They include:

• Mitrenga Hall
• Chapel
• Administration Building
• Academy
• International Confederation Building
• Memorial Gardens
• Printing and Publishing Company