Process to Join
Steps
1
Ask a Mason to Join
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Be a male at least 19 years old
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Be an Ohio resident for at least six months
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Be able to read and write English
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Be prepared to profess a belief in Deity
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Be of good reputation as a man of honor and integrity
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Be recommended by two members of the lodge you wish to join
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Be prepared to obtain a background check if requested
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.
Dispelling the Myths
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.
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.
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.
Notable Masons
U.S. Presidents
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
Declaration of Independance Signers
Benjamin Franklin
John Hancock
Elbridge Gerry
William Hooper
Richard Stockton
Matthew Thornton
George Walton
William Whipple
U.S. Constitution Signers
Gunning Bedford, Jr.
John Blair
David Brearley
Jacob Broom
Daniel Carroll
Jonathon Dayton
John Dickinson
Benjamin Franklin
Nicholas Gilman
Rufus King
James McHenry
William Paterson
George Washington
What is Freemasonry?
Modern Freemasonry was established in England in 1717, although its exact origins are lost in the unrecorded history of medieval times. Its roots are found in guilds of stonemasons that, from the end of the 13th century, regulated the qualifications of stonemasons. As a stonemason grew in his craft, he was entered into the appropriate rank: apprentice, journeyman (now called Fellow Craft) and master mason.
At each stage, the craftsman was entrusted with the secrets of each level, which include passwords and grips (or handshake) made known to him only upon due inspection of necessary proficiency by a master of the craft. This way, as stonemasons migrated across Europe to the next job, each man was assured proper pay and privilege commensurate with his skill level, and clients were assured of the quality of work. Today, Freemasonry shares this same system of secrets, ritual and growth, though the work has shifted from building edifices to building oneself in good character.