A Little about our Organization

Freemasonry is a fraternal order who's origin begins in Ireland, England, Scotland and France hundreds of years ago. It is an organization of free men numbering in the millions throughout the world estimated at over 5 million. The origanization is guided by Grand Lodges located in various jurisdictions. Freemasonry is commonly defined as "a Peculiar System of Morality, Veiled in Allegory and Illustrated by Symbols." The system promotes symbols and metaphors of operative stonemasons' tools and implements have been used to illustrate moral guidelines.

A Freemason is a member of the organization and is tied to a local lodge where the member can attend meetings. Members of the organization are usually referred to as "brothers" and acquire titles depenedant upon offices held by them in the lodge. There are many reasons why one joins Freemasonry including:

• Being a Family Tradition
• Searching for Esoteric Knowledge
• Searching to give back to the community
• Networking
• Curiosity

Charity

There are no better reasons to join Freemasonry as all that is required is a firm commitment to better oneself. The Freemasons manifest in various branches including York Rite, Scottish Rite and the Grand Orient of the Shrine. Each order gives its own degrees, titles and charity and it offers one a sense of being part of a much larger body. Charity and community service are a large part of Freemasonry as the organization is a philanthropic society.

Masonic charities include:

• Homes that provide sheltered housing or nursing care.
• Education with both educational grants or schools such as the Royal Masonic School (UK) which are open to all and not limited to the families of Freemasons.
• Medical assistance.
• Masonic Child Identification Programs (CHIP).

In addition to this there are philanthropic associations thorughout the world that were started by Freemasons including:

• The Masonic Service Association
• Masonic Medical Research Laboratory
• Shriners Hospitals for Children

Lodges are where Freemasons meet and disuss lodge-business, new membership, plan events and network. All of it is done within the context of brotherhood where all brothers are treated the three most important tenats of Freemasonry which is: Liberty, Fraternity & Brotherhood.

Joining an organization like Freemasonry opens a world of possiblities to the new candidate as they can explore the world and meet other Freemasons like themselves and communicate in a language beyond words using the symbols of organization. Many famous historical figures were Freemasons and even completed work for Freemasons such as:

Mozart - The Magic Flute

13 Presidents of the United States were Freemasons along with a host of elected officials. U.S. cities such as Washington D.C. and Boston have a large history in common with Freemasonry.
In addition to that much lore exists about Freemasons and it has been used in various fictional works such as:

• Books
• Comic Books
• Movies

Qualifications to being a Freemason:

In order to be a regular Freemason, a candidate must:

• Be a man who comes of his own free will.
• Believe in a Supreme Being (the form of which is left to open interpretation and is not tied to any religion).
• Be at least the minimum age of 18.
• Be of good morals, and of good reputation.
• Be of sound mind and body.
• Be capable of furnishing character references, as well as one or two references from current Masons, depending on jurisdiction.

Becoming a member

In order to join Freemasonry, one must first visit a nearby local lodge and visit them on their meeting day. The fact that you have searched this page will provide the first clue you need on your journey. Under the Calendar section, you can see when we meet for our "Stated Communication". Our "Stated Communication" is our official meeting and you are more than welcomed to come by. It would be best to contact the Secretary and let him know that you will be visiting. They will get you situated once you arrive at the lodge and you will have a chance to meet with other members of the lodge and get to know the people that attend that particular lodge.

Lodges come in all shapes and sizes and that goes for their members as well. Because a lodge is made up of its members, no two lodges are exactly alike as their rituals, meetings and business will be the only factors that any two lodges will share. The various personalities of the brethren (or members) will define that lodge and visiting plays a huge part in figuring out how you (as the candidate) will fit in. By visiting one or more lodges, when one finds the lodge that fits them best, speak with the secretary as they will direct you on your path to joinging the brotherhood.