Freemasonry is the leading Fraternal organization in the world. Current worldwide membership totals over 3 million members, 1.1 million of whom are in North America. The Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Canada in the Province of Ontario is a Grand Lodge with jurisdiction over 578 masonic lodges located in the province of Ontario in Canada with around 46,000 members.
Freemasonry grew out of medieval stonemasons' guilds, which set wages, trained apprentices and regulated who could practice the craft.
Early Europe
In early modern Europe, masons studied measurement, geometry and mathematical calculation - as well as bricklaying. Expert masons acted as engineers and architects, earning a higher status than most other tradesmen. The advancement within the guilds implied authority, and the path from apprentice to master was marked by ritual. Guilds were also social organizations whose members met informally to drink in lodges.
Formation of Freemasons
Lodges went from operative (working) masons, to symbolic or speculative Freemasonry which adopted the rites and trappings of ancient religious orders and of chivalric brotherhoods. Lodges are open to all men from all walks of life. From the grocery store clerk, construction worker, to business owners, doctors, lawyers and politicians... and maybe you.
Masons come from all walks of life, both blue-collar and white-collar, urban, suburban and rural. What unifies Masons is not where we come from or what we do for a living, but rather what we aspire to be.
It is defined by a commitment to universal brotherhood and self-improvement.
Acceptance of Non-Masons
Guilds began accepting non-stonemasons and charging them dues in the early 1600s. These would be educated men interested in mathematics and antiquity. While working masons would “hew stone and raise perpendiculars”, the gentlemen members were to practice “secrecy, morality and good fellowship”. By the end of the 17th century, stonemason guilds became obsolete and became Freemasons.
What Does Freemasonry Do?
Making Good Men Better
It's members share a common goal of helping each other become better men. Its body of knowledge and ethics is based on the belief that each man has a responsibility to improve himself while being devoted to his family, faith, country and fraternity.
Ancient and Modern
We are united by the three ancient and fundamental principles - Brotherly Love, Charity and Truth. These principles are made relevant to the 21st century through personal development, good works and social connections to our members in the Lodges around the world.
What Does it Offer
Being a Freemason gives the opportunity to grow, the chance to make a difference and the means to help build a better world for our children. It offers socialization and work with men who have the same values and ideals.
Famous Freemasons
Masons come from all walks of life, both blue-collar and white-collar, urban, suburban and rural. What unifies Masons is not where we come from or what we do for a living, but rather what we aspire to be.
Throughout history some members of the fraternity have made no secret of their involvement, while others have not made their membership public. In some cases, membership can be only proven by searching through the fraternity's records. Such records are most often kept at the individual Lodge level, and may have been lost due to fire, flood, deterioration or simple carelessness.
Grand Lodge governance may have shifted or reorganized, resulting in further loss of records on the member or the name, number, location or even the existence of the Lodge in question.
Canadian Freemasons
Freemasonry in Canada traces its origins to the United Grand Lodge of England, the Grand Lodge of Scotland and the Grand Lodge of Ireland, as a result of Canada's history as a dominion within the British Empire. Freemasonry in the United States, including Prince Hall Freemasonry, also influenced the formation of Freemasonry in Canada. Erasmus James Philipps became a Freemason while working on a commission to resolve boundaries in New England and, in 1739, became provincial Grand Master for Nova Scotia. Philipps founded the first Masonic lodge in Canada at Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia.
John A. Macdonald
The first prime minister of Canada. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, he had a political career that spanned almost half a century.
Joey Smallwood
The main force who brought the Dominion of Newfoundland into the Canadian Confederation in 1949, becoming the first premier of Newfoundland.
Frederick Arthur Stanley
Governor General of Canada (1888-1893), Namesake for the Stanley Cup.
American Freemasons
The earliest known lodges in North America were located in Pennsylvania, where John Moore wrote of attending lodge meetings as early as 1715, two years before the first Grand Lodge was formed in London. Indeed, several of the Founding Fathers of the United States were Freemasons, including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and James Monroe.
George Washington
General, politician, and first president of the United States. Initiated in Fredericksburg, Virginia, Past Master of Alexandria Lodge No. 22, Virginia.
Theodore Roosevelt
U.S. president. Matinecock Lodge No. 806, Oyster Bay, New York.[40] Honorary member of the Lodge of King Solomon's Temple No. 3464.
