GRAY LODGE NO. 329, A.F. & A.M.

Commemorative 150th
Anniversary Publication
ADVERTISING RATES

Rates include four-color CMYK placement.
For full-page ads, full-bleed color is available.
We can lay out B/W text; all artwork must be print-ready.

Rates for Premium Positioning
(full or half page only):

~~Inside front cover +20%~~ SOLD

Inside front facing page +15%
Center spread +25%
Inside back facing page +15%
Full inside back cover +35%

Gray Masonic Lodge #329 A.F. & A.M. is a tax-exempt
corporation under Internal Revenue Code § 501(c)(10),
and is exempt from collecting state sales tax for this
fundraiser under Texas Tax Code §§ 151.310(a)(1) and (c).

STEP 1 - Your Information

STEP 2 - Your Payment

We are soliciting advertising for this commemorative issue simply to cover our costs of publishing and distributing a minimum of 500 copies. Any proceeds in excess of actual costs will be deposited to Gray Lodge’s Building Fund.

WHY ADVERTISE IN THIS COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE?

Gray Lodge #329, A.F. & A.M., has faithfully served the Houston community, and especially the West Side and Energy Corridor, for 150 years. We award scholarships every year to qualified college-bound area students, and provide financial relief to Masons and their families in times of crisis (most recently including the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey). Gray Lodge Masons consistently donate +me and resources to charitable endeavors of other valuable organizations, including the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and the Arabia Shrine Circus.

Gray Lodge is one of Texas’ exemplary Masonic organizations, and our 150th Anniversary will draw attention throughout Houston and statewide. Unlike other advertising buys that are often discarded unread, our Commemorative Publication will be a keepsake, and our members and guests will show appreciation for your support. Should demand warrant, we will order additional press runs at no cost to you, making your participation in our Sesquicentennial Celebration an even greater value!

WHAT IS FREEMASONRY? WHO ARE THE FREEMASONS?

Freemasonry (or Masonry) consists of fraternal organizations around the world modeled after trade guilds of stonemasons that have existed since Biblical times. When asked what Masonry does, our stock response is “to take good men and make them better,” but we do so much more. Masons are deeply involved in our communities, and offer our +me and resources for numerous worthy causes. Among all Masonic organizations (including the Scottish Rite, York Rite, and Shrine—all of whose members must be Masons), Masons in the United States raise some $2.6 million every day to help people in need. Examples of Masonic charity in Texas include the Shriners Hospitals for Children, the Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, and Masonic Children & Family Services of Texas.

Some would have others believe that Freemasonry is a “secret society”; this is not true. What few “secrets” Masons have are simply to help us maintain a better quality of work and to identify ourselves securely to other Masons, and are no more sinister than a chef’s “secrets” that make his or her recipes uniquely their own. Masons have never hidden their benevolent and charitable activities from the public. Masonic lodges are situated for all to see and are frequently open to the public, and Masons are free to acknowledge their Masonic affiliation as they please.

Masonry is not a religion and is entirely non-denominational, although one of the few requirements of membership is belief in a Supreme Being. Masons feel their Belief gives them the purpose to help others without seeking anything in return, and ensures that Masons will deal honestly with each other even if they are otherwise strangers. However, Masonry does not require affiliation with any particular religion, and encourages men of all faiths to improve themselves using the allegories and symbolism of the Masonic tradition.

WHAT IS GRAY LODGE AND WHY ARE WE UNIQUE?

Ancient Free and Accepted Masonry (“A. F. & A. M.” for short) came to Texas in 1835 with the formation of what became Houston’s Holland Lodge #1. Gray Lodge #329 was formed in 1870 by members of Holland Lodge, and with 150 years of continuous service is Houston’s second oldest Masonic organization. Our Lodge is named for William Fairfax Gray, who was one of Texas’ founding fathers and served the Republic of Texas as the first clerk of its House of Representatives and Senate.

After spending its first 91 years in downtown Houston, Gray Lodge moved to the west side in 1964, and to the Energy Corridor in 2006. Our present lodge building, located at 2370 Barker Oaks (near Highway 6 at Westheimer), is world-renowned (quite literally!) for its beauty and is often featured in video and print.

Gray Lodge Masons are not only involved with Masonic charitable activities, but in other community organizations such as the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, Arabia Shrine Circus, and the Houston Food Bank. Each year, Gray Lodge awards scholarships and honoraria to area college-bound students and exceptional teachers, and always stands ready to assist our community with relief in times of crisis.