About Us
Freemasonry is a fraternity. Its membership is restricted to men, but there is no hazing as is found in some college fraternities. The Masonic Order is a serious group. It exists to take good men and provide them with the working tools they can use to become better men.
Although Masonry is believed to be the oldest surviving fraternal organization in the world, the exact date of its founding is uncertain. Freemasonry can, however, be easily traced to sixteenth century Scotland although the first Masonic governing body was not founded until 1717 in London.
Video Credit: Scottish Rite NMJ
2024-25 OFFICERS
We take great pride in our dedicated and esteemed team of lodge officers. Led by our Worshipful Master, who presides over meetings and symbolizes the embodiment of leadership, our officers exemplify the core principles of Freemasonry.
The Senior Warden and Junior Warden, along with other appointed officers, assist in maintaining order during rituals and ceremonies, fostering an environment of unity and harmony.
Our Secretary manages administrative tasks, ensuring the smooth functioning of the lodge, while our Treasurer oversees the financial matters with utmost transparency.
Together, our lodge officers work tirelessly to provide guidance, mentorship, and uphold the timeless traditions of Freemasonry, creating a nurturing and fulfilling experience for all members.
Brian Ledbetter
Worshipful Master
Daniel Checkman
Senior Warden
Jorge Loyo
Junior Warden
David Prentice
Treasurer
Steven Seymour
Secretary
Saul Sanchez
Senior Deacon
Curtis Smith
Junior Deacon
Allen Bettis
Senior Steward
Robert Wied
Junior Steward
Alexander Maiorano
Master of Ceremonies
Michael Garrett
Marshall
Charles Paschal
Chaplain
Scott Buchanan
Tiler
DISTRICT OFFICERS
Michael E. Hepner
District Deputy
Grand Master
The District Deputy Grand Master is a vital figure in the Masonic organization, serving as a bridge between the Grand Lodge and the lodges in their district. They provide guidance, support, and leadership, ensuring the effective functioning of Freemasonry at the district level and fostering the growth and success of each individual lodge.
Albert Pinto
District
Instructor
The District Instructor is a dedicated Masonic educator and mentor, working diligently to enhance the Masonic experience and knowledge of brethren within the district. Their commitment to the preservation and propagation of Masonic teachings contributes to the strength and vitality of the fraternity.
Ray L. Owens, Jr.
District Communications
Officer
The District Communications Officer is responsible for managing and coordinating communication within a Masonic district. This includes disseminating information, organizing events, maintaining records, and facilitating effective communication between lodges and members within the district.
Robert C. Coleman
District Education
Officer
The District Education Officer oversees the educational programs within a Masonic district. Their role includes organizing workshops, providing resources for Masonic education, supporting the lodges in their educational endeavors, and ensuring that members have access to information that promotes their personal and Masonic growth.
Appendant Bodies
As you delve into the rich traditions and principles of Freemasonry, we invite you to explore the fascinating world of appendant bodies. These appendant bodies are distinct organizations that offer additional opportunities for Masons to deepen their knowledge, engage in philanthropy, and strengthen their fraternal bonds.
The Process
1. Ask for information
The first step to becoming a Freemason, especially if you don’t know any, is to get to know some of us. Becoming a Freemason is a very personal decision and is not a good fit for everyone. We want to get to know you to make sure Masonry is right for you, and you should get to know us to understand if we are the right lodge for you.
2. Visit our lodge
The first Tuesday of every month is a good time for you to visit our lodge.
Take this as an opportunity to meet some of our members and ask questions. Don’t be intimidated, we are happy to see visitors. As with most lodges, we have dinner before our regular stated meetings and guests are always welcomed to join us for dinner.
While you’re there, you can ask a member of the lodge how to get a petition.
3. Submit a petition
Once you fill out your petition, you will need 5 Freemasons to vouch for you by signing it. This is one of the reasons it is so important to get to know some of the members. If you don’t know any Masons, ask our members for advice.
4. The investigation
The Master of the lodge will assign three members of the lodge to interview you and investigate your background.
The investigators may want to meet with you at home. There is a standard set of questions that all investigators must ask, but many will ask additional questions. Be honest with the investigators. No Mason is perfect… we don’t expect petitioners to be perfect, either.
5. The ballot
Your investigators will be given a deadline by which to return their completed investigation reports to the lodge. Their reports along with their recommendation will be read to the lodge at a stated meeting. At this time, the Master of the lodge will usually call for a ballot to be taken on your petition. Eligible Masons will then vote on your petition and the outcome of the ballot will be announced to the lodge.
6. Notification of result
In the days following the ballot, a Member of the Lodge will contact you to inform you of the results. If the ballot is found favorable then they will work with you on a date and time to set the degree. At that time you will be given more instructions.
He Was a Mason
George Washington was the first President of the United States, the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He presided over the convention that drafted the United States Constitution, which replaced the Articles of Confederation and remains the supreme law of the land. Washington was unanimously elected President by the electors in both the 1788-1789 and 1792 elections.
Benjamin Franklin was an American polymath and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, inventor, humorist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. As an inventor, he is known for the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove, among other inventions. He founded many civic organizations, including the Library Company, Philadelphia's first fire department and the University of Pennsylvania. From 1785 to 1788, he served as governor of Pennsylvania.
In 1837, during Houston’s first term as President of the Republic of Texas, he joined the masonic Holland Lodge No. 36. It was founded in Brazoria and was relocated in 1837 to what is now Houston. On December 20, 1837, Houston presided over the convention of Freemasons that formed the Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas, now the Grand Lodge of Texas.
Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor was an American stand-up comedian and actor. He reached a broad audience with his trenchant observations and storytelling style, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential stand-up comedians of all time. In 2017, Rolling Stone ranked him first on its list of the 50 best stand-up comics of all time.
Andrew Jackson was an American lawyer, planter, general, and statesman who served as the seventh president of the United States from 1829 to 1837. Before being elected to the presidency, he gained fame as a general in the U.S. Army and served in both houses of the U.S. Congress.
Jesse Louis Jackson Sr. is an American civil rights activist, Baptist minister, and politician. He was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988 and served as a shadow U.S. Senator for the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1997. He is the founder of the organizations that merged to form Rainbow/PUSH.
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill was a British statesman, soldier, and writer who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice, from 1940 to 1945 during the Second World War, and again from 1951 to 1955
OUR MAILING LIST
Who can be a mason?
Any man of at least 18 years of age, of his own free will, can petition a Masonic Lodge for the Degrees in Masonry.
How do I become a mason?
If you know a Mason, ask him about the fraternity.
Visit a Lodge: Try to find out if there is a good time for you to visit the lodge. Take this as an opportunity to meet some of the members and ask questions. Don’t be intimidated, they’ll be happy to see you.
Request a Petition: Request a petition from a Mason or from the lodge you would like to join. Your petition will require the signature of several Masons.
Investigation: The Master of the lodge you submitted your petition to will assign three members of the lodge to interview you and investigate your background.
Are you a religion?
While Freemasonry is not itself a religion, all its members believe in a Supreme Being, or Supreme Architect of the Universe.
Members come from many faiths.
What's up with the aprons?
The Mason’s apron reminds us of an important lesson that derives from the simple apron of the craftsman: the dignity and worth of labor, the honor that comes with being a workman, and the glory attached to life and living for one’s purpose.
What do masons believe?
The spirit of Freemasonry is embodied in these three great principles:
Brotherly Love: Every true Freemason will show tolerance and respect for the opinions of others and behave with kindness and understanding to his fellow creatures.
Relief: Freemasons are taught to practice charity, and to care, not only for their own, but also for the community as a whole, both by charitable giving, and by voluntary efforts and works as individuals.
Truth: Freemasons strive for truth, requiring high moral standards and aiming to achieve them in their own lives. Freemasons believe that these principles represent a way of achieving higher standards in life.
