Disciple of Martinez de Pasqually, Willermoz became on the the major Officers in the "Order of the Elus-Cohen". However, he left the mouvement before the death of Martinez and became associated with the Germand Masonry of the "Strict Observance", from which he derived a new Order he named the "Chevaliers Bienfaisants de la Cité Sainte" (C.B.C.S.)

A committee was formed under Willermoz to prepare the high degree rituals of the C.B.C.S. and those of the secret degrees of the Profession. This work was well advanced, when the French Revolution interrupted Willermoz' task. The "Rectified" temples of the C.B.C.S. and the temples of the Elus-Cohen still active, had to suspend their works. The brethren were dispersed by the events in France of the period.

After the Revolution, in 1806, the C.B.C.S. became active again in France and they soon joined the Masonic Obedience of the Grand Orient of France with which the Strict Observance had friendly relations. The Rite of Knights Beneficent passes into Switzerland when the Directoire of Burgandy transmits its powers to the Directoire of Helvetia. It is from this Swiss Jurisdiction, now headed by the Grand Priory of Helvetia, that the C.B.C.S. will be re-activated in France after World War II. On May 5, 1824, Jean-Baptist Willermoz died at Lyons.