History

In 1999 the Most Worshipful Grand Master, The Honorable Robert E. Connor, Jr., felt it necessary to start the Order of the Knights of Pythagoras and name its Grand Council after the late Past Grand Master, Thomas H. Routt. MWGM Connor appointed Bro. Jamal R.A. Rasheed to serve as the State Director(SD). SD Rasheed contacted the Supreme Council's Supreme Master Knight, Gilbert "Gil" Tyler (VA), who then sent the Supreme Knight Treasurer & State Director of Arkansas, Richard Sutton, to perform the ceremonies to activate the councils. The first five (5) councils started in Texas under its new Grand Council:
 
1. Grayson, Council No. 1, Sherman, Texas, District 8
2. Arthur L. Banks Council No. 2, Houston, Texas, District 15A
3. S.J. Sutton, Council No. 3, San Antonio, Texas, District 19
4. Marching to Manhood, Council No. 4, Riesel, Texas, District 14
5. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Council No. 5, Austin, Texas, District 24
 
IIn May 2001, State Director Rasheed was elected to the Supreme Council as Deputy Supreme Master Knight. PGM Conner then appointed Bro. Derrick Jones as the new State Director in June 2001. However, due to SD Jones's heavy work schedule, he was unable to continue. In November 2001, PGM Connor then appointed Bro. Michael L. Simms, Sr. as the new State Director for Texas KOP. After seeing that only a few councils remained active in the state, State Director Simms took the program in a new direction. He started by reorganizing the leadership structure and developing a theme that gives youth, parents, and master masons a better understanding of what the KOP program is about: "Training our Youth in Leadership, Responsibility, and Brotherhood". SD Simms then began informing Master Masons about this program's importance at Annual Grand Communications, Mid Winter sessions, and district meetings.

As of January 2021, we currently have 19 councils in the state. Texas's KOP program now has its website, logo, bylaws, mission statement, and statewide training program for youth across the state.