As a fra­ter­nity, Freema­sonry pro­vides an oppor­tu­nity for men to meet and enjoy friendly com­pan­ion­ship. In the spirit of help­ful­ness and broth­erly love and guided by strict moral prin­ci­ples it encour­ages good­will toward all mankind. Freema­sonry is of a per­sonal nature in its pri­vate cer­e­monies.

Its rit­ual dra­ma­tizes a phi­los­o­phy of life based on moral­ity. It pro­motes self-improvement. The tools of oper­a­tive masons are used to sym­bol­ize and teach the basic prin­ci­ples of broth­erly love, char­ity and truth of which Masons endeav­our to fash­ion their daily lives.

Our tra­di­tions can be traced directly to the asso­ci­a­tions of oper­a­tive masons. They were men of out­stand­ing char­ac­ter and high ideals, who built the cathe­drals, abbeys and cas­tles of the mid­dle ages.

With the decline of cathe­dral build­ing in the 17th Cen­tury, many guilds of stone­ma­sons, called “Oper­a­tive” masons, started to accept into their mem­ber­ship those who were not mem­bers of the masons’ craft and called them “Spec­u­la­tive” or “Accepted” masons.

It was in these groups, called lodges, com­prised mainly of “Accepted” masons that Freema­sonry, as we know it today, had its beginning.

In 1717, four such lodges, which had been meet­ing reg­u­larly in Lon­don, united to form the first Grand Lodge of Eng­land under the direc­tion of a Grand Mas­ter. From that first Grand Lodge, Freema­sonry has spread through­out the world. Today, some 150 Grand Lodges have a total mem­ber­ship of approx­i­mately four mil­lion Masons.

One of Freemasonry’s cus­toms is not to solicit mem­bers. How­ever, any­one should feel free to approach any Mason to seek fur­ther infor­ma­tion about the Craft.

Mem­ber­ship is for men, 21 years of age or older, who meet the qual­i­fi­ca­tions and stan­dards of char­ac­ter and rep­u­ta­tion, who are of good moral char­ac­ter, and who believe in the exis­tence of a Supreme Being.

A man who wants to become a mem­ber of a lodge must be rec­om­mended by two mem­bers of that lodge. He must under­stand that his char­ac­ter will be inves­ti­gated. After approval by the mem­bers of that lodge, he will be accepted as an appli­cant for mem­ber­ship in Freemasonry.

The doors of Freema­sonry are open to men who seek har­mony with their fel­low man, feel the need for self-improvement and wish to par­tic­i­pate in mak­ing this world a bet­ter place in which to live.

Any man who becomes a Mason is taught a pat­tern for liv­ing – rev­er­ence, moral­ity, kind­ness, hon­esty, depend­abil­ity and com­pas­sion. He must be pre­pared to hon­our his coun­try, uphold its laws and respect those in author­ity. He must be pre­pared to main­tain hon­ourable rela­tions with oth­ers and be will­ing to share in Masonic activities.

Masonry offers the opportunity to make each man better through its teachings, his Masonic associations and a philosophy that has served the social needs of men for centuries, by promoting:

• Tradition: when you become a Mason, you become part of ancient tradition that spans centuries. From the original stonemasons that produced some of the most majestic architectural wonders of Europe to modern day Masons who participate in numerous charitable foundations, you’ll feel connected to a vital, growing and spiritually uplifting organization of moral men
• Self Improvement: learning portions of the Ritual and participating in the Degree stimulates the mind and, coupled with committee work and lodge management, presents the opportunity to develop leadership and organizational skills, build self-discipline through commitment, poise and self-confidence, and strengthen presentation and public speaking proficiencies

• Sense of Accomplishment: participating in lodge projects, be they charitable or social in nature, provides the opportunity to contribute, work with others and enjoy the success of effort well expended
• Fellowship – Belonging to a Like-minded Group: the modern work environment has reduced or eliminated social association with co-workers; joining with lodge members in a fraternal atmosphere can substitute for that former workplace fellowship lost
• A Break from the Workaday Routine: Masonry brings together in lodge men of diverse backgrounds, where the daily pressures of a career can be left outside the door and where fellowship is the common theme.

These attributes are summarized in the tenets, or fundamental principles of Ancient Freemasonry: Brotherly Love; Relief; and Truth. If these values address your needs, Masonry welcomes you.