Brick by Brick: Inside a Lodge-Building Boom
In this issue of California Freemason, we’re exploring what it takes to get new lodges off the ground, and how they define themselves within the landscape of Masonry in the state.
If you are a Bay Cities member or widow with a need, reach out to a brother. Phone numbers are in the Trestleboard.
Masonry is the world’s first and largest fraternal organization. It is guided by the enduring belief that each man has a responsibility to make the world a better place. For 300 years, Freemasonry has enhanced and strengthened the character of individual men by providing opportunities for fellowship, charity, and the search for truth – within ourselves and the larger world.
The decade ending in 1920 was a period of much suffering, and lot of change. In 1918, World War One ended, with an American death toll of more than 116 thousand. During 1918 and 1919, over 650 thousand Americans died of the Spanish Flu. The 18th Amendment ended most legal alcohol consumption, and the 19th Amendment finally gave American adult women the right to vote.
In response to these events, freemasonry changed and new masonic organizations were created. In 1919, Frank S. Land and a group of young boys, including some orphans of freemasons, started what later became the first Chapter of DeMolay International. Also created about this time were two organizations for girls: the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls and Job’s Daughters.
In California, freemasonry became more popular. The number of California Freemasons quadrupled from 21,579 in 1899, to 85,181 in 1921. American freemasonry was entering its golden age. The number of American freemasons reached over 3 million by 1924. By that time, nearly 6 out of every 100 American males were freemasons.
Lodge membership in our area grew from 25 members from 1 lodge in 1899, to over 2,000 members from 7 lodges by 1921, which included:
As the Covid-19 pandemic eases, and we cautiously start attending meetings again, the members of Bay Cities Lodge No. 337 are remembering our past and building a better tomorrow. Our members want to have a direct and beneficial impact to our communities, through our charities, and on a personal level. We meet on the first Tuesday of the month for stated meetings at the Richmond Masonic Hall, 5050 El Portal Drive, in Richmond at the edge of El Sobrante.
Masonry is a community of men and their families who share similar beliefs and values. The fraternity finds it important to connect with other men of honor, compassion, love, trust, and knowledge, regardless of their race, color, religious beliefs, political views, sexual orientation, physical ability, citizenship, or national origin. We are friends and brothers, and are connected through this vital and uplifting organization of moral men.
Our continuing pursuit of truth, knowledge, ethics, and leadership skills makes us better men and brings more meaning to our lives. Learning the tenets of Freemasonry, paired with being an active part of our community, gives us the opportunity to develop leadership and organizational skills, and builds self-discipline through commitment and self-confidence.
As a member of the Freemasons, the Grand Lodge of California, and Bay Cities Lodge No. 337, we are a part of a worldwide organization that values tradition, history, and timeless wisdom. The traditions and core values of our fraternity are meaningful today and will endure for centuries to come because of our direct impact in our community, through our charities, and on a personal level.
April 30, 2024
Annual Review of Lodge Records - MHAR
April 30, 2024 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
In this issue of California Freemason, we’re exploring what it takes to get new lodges off the ground, and how they define themselves within the landscape of Masonry in the state.
Discuss your Masonic experience with others easily by downloading the simple guide to Freemasonry and brushing up on the basics.
Say hello to a series of brand-new web resources for prospects and new members available on freemason.org, the online home of the Masons of California.
Six of our degree candidates help in serving our stated dinners.
Between July 10–21, we’re asking all members who are comfortable doing so to post a short message on Facebook or Instagram saying why Freemasonry is important to you.
In the Magic Issue of California Freemason magazine, we’re casting a light on some of those similar connections between magic and Masonry.
Maybe you’ve seen the square and compass logo on buildings around town or wondered about the meaning of emblems like the Masonic trowel. What’s the history behind Masonic symbols, and how do they factor into what happens in a lodge?
Most people know that there are two things that Masons don’t discuss in the lodge room: politics and religion. Instead, they focus on the things that bind them, not that divide. Could that be a model for a more harmonious world outside the lodge?
Back in 1947, our country was reeling from many major changes. Word war II brought war to our nation. Over 400 thousand Americans died as a result of war casualties. Furthermore, the cold war was beginning…in June of 1948 the Berlin airlift started.
Meanwhile, California and the Bay Area were growing substantially.
In this issue of California Freemason Magazine, we’re casting our gaze anew at our fraternal home, the California Masonic Memorial Temple in San Francisco.
Explore some stunning examples of this fraternal craftwork through the ages in From the Hands of Fellowship, a new virtual exhibition from the Henry Wilson Coil Library and Museum of Freemasonry.
In this special issue of California Freemason, we take a Masonic road trip south of the border to learn about the long history of Freemasonry in Latin America.
These Masons working with death have an intimate familiarity with the other side.
A tiny, sandy cove, San Francisco’s Aquatic Park is one of the most reliably sunny spots in town. Yet clues of the city’s distant past are still there.
The decade ending in 1920 was a period of a lot of suffering and change. In 1918, World War One ended, with an American death toll of more than 116 thousand. During 1918 and 1919, over 650 thousand Americans died of the Spanish Flu. The 18th Amendment ended most legal alcohol consumption, and the 19th Amendment finally gave American adult women the right to vote. The number of California Freemasons quadrupled from 21,579 in 1899, to 85,181 in 1921.
The Wardens maintain the public lodge calendar as events get scheduled.
For link information, check by clicking on the picture of the calendar.
View our Prior Trestleboards here. You will need adobe reader to open and print them on your computer.
