BecomeAMason | 485masons

You're Invited

Process to Join

1

Ask a Mason to Join

To Be One,

Ask One

You have been invited to join the Freemasons of Pennsylvania. If you have not been invited to be a Pennsylvania Freemason read Process to Join to the left. To start the process of joining once invited, you must first submit a petition for membership. This petition will be read at a meeting of the Lodge you are seeking to join. You will then be visited by a small committee from the Lodge who will find out your qualifications and answer any questions you or your family may have about Freemasonry. At the next meeting the members will vote on your petition for membership. Once approved, a member from the lodge will contact you to set up a mentorship meeting before you receive your first degree. You will be asked to attend three successive meetings, during which you will learn the teachings of Freemasonry. In ceremonies known as Degrees you will assume your vows of membership. The fee for joining Freemasonry varies with each Lodge and includes your dues for the first year. Glasgow Lodge #485's fee to join is $300 dollars and our yearly dues are $55 dollars. Dues for the current Masonic Year are included in the joining fee.

To discuss membership with a Lodge member, leave your information below:

More about Freemasonry:

Several Masonic Principles:

Faith must be the center of our lives.
All men and women are the children of God.
No one has the right to tell another person what he or she must think or believe.
Each person has a responsibility to be a good citizen, obeying the law.
It is important to work to make the world a better place for all.
Honor and integrity are keys to a meaningful life.

To qualify for membership, a petitioner must be male, at least 18 years of age, one who believes in the existence of a Supreme Being, of good moral character, motivated to join for reasons unrelated to personal gain or profit, prompted by a favorable opinion of Freemasonry, desirous of earning knowledge and willing to conform to the ancient usages and customs of the fraternity. Well known by two Master Masons who are willing to sign the petition in step two. Our lodge hosts a social night for perspective candidates who would qualify for membership but are not well known by two Master Masons.

2

Fill Out a Petition for Membership

Fill out a petition for membership with the Mason willing to sign your petition as your recommender. Let him Submit your Petition for membership.

3

Once Approved to Join

Attend Three Degrees

You will receive a letter confirming you are approved for membership which will include a date and time for your first degree. If you cannot make the meeting call immediately to reschedule.

Testemonials of Members:

Masonic History

Freemasonry is known as "the world's oldest and largest fraternity." No one knows its true origin, but our tradition dates to the building of King Solomon's Temple. Documentary evidence can be traced to the 14th century and the medieval guilds of craftsman who built the great cathedrals of Europe; hence the symbolic use of the tools of architects and builders to teach our life-affirming lessons. Our modern history began in 1717 with the formation of the Grand Lodge of England in London, the subsequent establishment of St. John's Lodge in Philadelphia between 1727 and 1730, and the formation of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in 1731. Hundreds of testimonials, written through the centuries, of both personal and public nature, prove that the fraternal relationships built in Freemasonry can survive wars, political conflicts, religious disputes and personal strife. Many of our nation's early patriots were Freemasons, as well as thirteen signers of the Constitution and fourteen Presidents of the United States, beginning with George Washington.

Who We Are

Today, there are more than three million Freemasons around the world. Freemasons are also known by the nickname Masons. We come from virtually every respectable occupation, profession, and social class. Within the fraternity, however, we meet as equals. We have diverse political opinions, but we gather as friends. We represent nearly every ethnic group in our country, yet we celebrate our differences. We practice different religious faiths, but profess our belief in one Supreme Being. In Pennsylvania, there are over 100,000 Freemasons who share our common bonds of brotherhood within more than 400 community Lodges throughout the Commonwealth.

What We Do

As Freemasons, we are loyal citizens who conform to the moral laws of society and abide by the laws of the government under which we live. We meet monthly, in small groups called Lodges, throughout Pennsylvania. At these meetings we conduct regular business, vote on petitions for membership, perform our ceremonial initiations, enjoy fellowship, and learn to be better men. It is at these meetings where the bonds of friendship and fellowship are strengthened. We are committed to helping each other, without neglecting our own personal responsibilities, but we are also generous with our money and man power, we often seek ways to improve our communities. We conduct fund-raising, social, and family events. We participate in appendant groups such as the Shrine, Scottish Rite, and York Rite, among others, to enhance our fraternal experience. We support related organizations such as the Eastern Star for Masons and their female relatives. We support our youth organizations which are DeMolay, Jobs Daughters, and Rainbow Girls.

What is Freemasonry?

Freemasonry (or Masonry) is dedicated to the Brotherhood of man under the Fatherhood of God. It uses the tools and implements of ancient architectural craftsmen symbolically in a system of instruction designed to build character and moral values in its members. Its singular purpose is to make good men better. Its bonds of friendship, compassion, and brotherly love have survived even the most divisive political, military, and religious conflicts through the centuries. Freemasonry is a fraternity which encourages its members to practice the faith of their personal acceptance. Masonry teaches that each person, through self-improvement and helping others, has an obligation to make a difference for good in the world. The Masonic experience encourages members to become better men, better husbands, better fathers, and better citizens. The fraternal bonds formed in the lodge help build lifelong friendships among men with similar goals and values.

Masonic Charity

Beyond Freemasonry's focus on individual development and growth, Masonry is deeply involved in helping people. The Freemasons of North America contribute over 1.5 million dollars a day to charitable causes. This philanthropy represents an unparalleled example of the humanitarian commitment of this great and honorable Fraternity. Much of that assistance goes to people who are not Masons. Some of these charities are vast projects. The Shrine Masons (Shriners) operate the largest network of hospitals for burned and orthopaedically impaired children in the country, and there is never a fee for treatment. The Scottish Rite Masons maintain a nationwide network of over 150 Childhood Language Disorder Clinics, Centers, and Programs. Many other Masonic organizations sponsor a variety of philanthropies, including scholarship programs for students, and perform public service activities in their communities. (The information here is about Freemasonry as a whole and not about Glasgow Lodge #485 in particular, however, our lodge participates in some of the Masonic Charities described. View Our Charities Page for more information.)

One PA Masonic Chairty:

Dispelling the Myths

Hazing- There is absolutely no hazing permitted in the Masonic fraternity.

Religion- Freemasonry is not a religion. Your beliefs are your own. You must, however, believe in a Supreme Being.

A Secret Society- Freemasonry is not a secret society. Our members do not hide their affiliation with us. Our buildings are well marked and often available for community use. While there are a few confidential handgrips and passwords used to confirm membership, we have no secrets concerning our purpose and programs. Many of our activities are open to family and friends.

Memorization- Like all fraternities, Freemasonry has impressive ritual ceremonies that date back centuries. These are presented from memory by officers who are developing their leadership and public speaking skills. There are no requirements to memorize any ritual, but members can choose to participate as they wish.

Presidents of the United States who were Freemasons

George Washington
James Monroe
Andrew Jackson
James Knox Polk
James Buchanan
Andrew Johnson
James A. Garfield
William Mckinley

Theodore Roosevelt
William Howard Taft
Warren G. Harding
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Harry S. Truman
Lyndon B. Johnson 1°
Gerald R. Ford

George Washington
James Monroe
Andrew Jackson
James Knox Polk
James Buchanan
Andrew Johnson
James A. Garfield
William Mckinley

Signers of the

Declaration of Independance

Proven to be Freemasons

Benjamin Franklin
John Hancock
Elbridge Gerry
William Hooper
Richard Stockton
Matthew Thornton
George Walton
William Whipple