In 1767, Johann August von Starck established a Masonic Order for Knights Templar, which he called Clerks of Relaxed Observance. As its name implies, it was formed as an antithetical body to Strict Observance Lodges, but later merged with them. The order consisted of seven degrees which embodied the idea that Templarism was a hierarchy within which every Mason was a Templar and every Templar was a Knight and a Priest. In order to join the Clerks of Relaxed Observance, a Brother first had to be a member of the Roman Catholic Church.
