How to become a Freemason in England.

Things you should know first.

Many myths, lies and conspiracy theories have sprung up and people like Dan Brown writing mysteries with interesting but fictional theories doesn't help. This site therefore is dedicated to telling truthfully what Masonry is about and why we believe it to be a potent force for good in this world.

The History of Freemasonry, sometimes called 'The Craft'

Some people will tell you that Freemasonry stretches back millennia and maybe even as far as the building of King Solomon's temple in Jerusalem. What we can say with absolute certainty is that English Freemasonry came into being in it's current form in 1717. In order to grasp the three grand principles on which our order is founded we need to go back to the middle ages and examine the workings of stone mason lodges.

A lodge of operative stone masons would frequently spend years working on a project such as a cathedral. During this time it is inevitable that masons would fall sick, making them unable to earn for themselves or families. At such times the other members of the stonemasons lodge would support the mason and his family. A living example of brotherly love and charity. On the completion of the project they may have spent years working on they would travel to the next commission and on route they would lodge with other stonemason lodges and receive food and sustenance. Another example of brotherly love and charity.

Eventually, sometimes after hundreds of miles travelling they would arrive at the new building site and there could already be dozens if not hundreds of other masons there with a hierarchical work structure already in place. Remember that it would have been very unlikely a mason in these days could read, so how did they present their CVs and experience? The answer is simple and is maintained throughout Freemasonry today; each mason knew signs and words which were restricted to men of certain skills and experience. Modern Freemasons have the same prime ideals, brotherly love, relief and truth and also use special words and signs to identify their skills to one another.

Is Freemasonry a secret society as we so often hear?

Absolutely not, but we do have secret words and signs which enable us to identify other Freemasons and to know of their experience and ability with regard to our ceremonies, just as the original stone masons had. It is this more than anything which has given rise to the misconceptions about Masonry.

Is Freemasonry a religion?

This is just another misconception. We have members from just about every religion in the world and whilst a belief in a Supreme Being is a prerequisite in all Freemasons, the Craft would never venture to suggest what you should believe and we frequently have people following different religions present in the same Lodge Meetings. Another thing that might surprise you to know is that religion is one of only two subjects forbidden at our meetings and the other forbidden subject is politics.

Then what exactly is Freemasonry?

We are a fraternal society who believe in brotherly love, relief and truth. We believe that mutual support in this life can be of considerable help in rough times. We also strongly believe in helping those less fortunate than ourselves providing that doing so does not hurt ourselves or connections. Lastly, truth. In this world of lies and deceit, truth is one of the cornerstones of our order.

More about our charity.

There are many worthy charitable organizations here in England, like the Lions and the Round table and we applaud their work wholeheartedly. Few people realise however that in terms of charitable donations in the UK the Freemasons come second only to the National Lottery. You may also give some thought to this you have seen the Lions and such in the High Streets collecting for charity. Have you ever seen a Freemason asking for money? That is because the money donated by Masons comes from the Masons themselves. Here in England we have close to half a million Freemasons, when they pull together that's awful lot of money. Freemasons have given a million pounds a year for close to a hundred years to the Royal College of Surgeons for the betterment of mankind. I would think that there is not so much as one single hospice in the UK not receiving financial and other support from local Masons. We are also good at looking after our own, but never to the exclusion of others. For example if a mason with young children should die, we have boys and girls day and boarding schools that will take on the support and education of any children left behind who are in need. Similarly if a member of a Lodge should fall sick or become incapacitated for any reason the Lodge will try to ensure the brother is getting the best help or treatment available. It doesn't stop there either. If a brother dies leaving a widow the lodge will check up on her from time to time to see she is OK as well as sending things like Christmas presents.

Do I need to be successful in business to become a Freemason?

Absolutely not. Freemasonry has nothing to do with business, or shouldn't. People already in the Craft are much more interested in what type of man you are as a whole. As the speaker in the movie above said, we have Lodge members from the Royal family to dust men. If you believe in a Supreme being and are a moral man of good character who has absolutely no revolutionary tendencies and who wishes to become a better man, to serve your fellow beings then you should be asking 'How can I become a Freemason' providing you can devote a to the Craft each week.

The first steps - How to become a Freemason.

The way to become a Freemason varies in different counties. For example, in the USA you need to ask a Mason and he will never approach you, whereas here in England a Mason who knows you well enough and believes that you are a suitable candidate is permitted to make the approach. You can also make an approach to use initially via the Internet like this. If having read this page you would like to go further or learn more send an e-mail to our Secretary and put "How to become a Freemason - Response." in the subject line. We will help you with that at the end of this page.

How can I know the costs before asking to become a Freemason.

Each Lodge has it's own fees for the year and most Lodges tend to meet 4 - 6 times a year. After all meetings we have a dinner together and some Lodges include the costs of your dinners for the year in your annual dues, so you can see how it becomes difficult to state a figure. However if you think of costs in the order of £300 for the year you become a Freemason that won't be far out. Of course, in addition to the fixed costs we do provide money to charities and you are expected to contribute, but each of us donates according to our means and no more.

OK I think I understand how to become a Freemason, what now?

At the end of this page is a link to e-mail a Lodge Secretary. After he gets your message he will contact you and probably suggest a chat on the phone. All being well you will be asked to meet up with the Secretary so that he can see if you have a good understanding of what you may be embarking on. Assuming that meeting goes well, it is usual for you to be interviewed by committee members of the Lodge and if they like what they have seen, they will put your name forward to the whole Lodge. In any lodge all members vote for new candidates to be accepted or not. This is usually done with a ballot box and white and black balls. It is usual for such a ballot to result in only white balls being used but should there be as much as one black ball your application will be denied.

Though as I just said that is fairly rare if you got the backing of Lodge Committee members. There will now be a delay until there the Lodge can find a suitable meeting at which to Initiate you. From all of which you will probably have realised that Masons are anxious to find the right people and will spend time and effort to try and see that only people that will benefit themselves and the Craft are admitted.

Make contact.

Click this link to make contact with us. Contact about joining the Freemasons

A movie tour round the inside of Grand Lodge in Great Queen Street, London.

About this site.

This site is not sponsored by any one Lodge, but is here to provide general information and for those who wish to take matters further, we will endeavour to put you in touch with a local Lodge that you can talk with. Here are three Lodges of good repute seeking new members.