An Introduction to the Craft
What Is Freemasonry?
The world's oldest fraternity, and what it asks of the men who join it
2370 Barker Oaks Dr., Houston, TX 77077
Good Men, Made Better
A Fraternity Built on Character
Freemasonry is a fraternity of men that accepts good men and helps them become better ones. Temperance and tolerance are prized virtues among us, and we meet on the level: what sets a man apart in the lodge is his character, never his wealth or his standing outside it.
Known as Freemasonry, Masonry, or simply the Craft, it is believed to be the oldest surviving fraternal organization in the world. If you have ever wondered what Masons actually do, and why, this page answers the questions we hear most often.
Start with the short video, then read on at your own pace.
Our Principal Tenets
Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth
Brotherly Love
We regard all people as one family and treat every brother, whatever his station in life, as an equal.
Relief
Easing the distress of others is a duty for every man, and especially for Masons, who are bound to care for one another and their families.
Truth
Truth is the foundation of every virtue. A Mason aims to be honest in his dealings and sincere in his word.
Our Origins
Where Freemasonry Came From
The exact beginnings of Freemasonry are lost to history. What we do know is that the Craft grew out of the lodges of working stonemasons. Sometime between the late 1300s and the early 1700s, those lodges began to accept members who did not work in the building trade. In time, whole lodges were made up of such men, gathering to share a ritual full of allusions to architecture, carpentry, and stonework.
Today every U.S. state, along with the District of Columbia, has its own Grand Lodge, a governing body with authority over the lodges in its territory. Gray Lodge is chartered under the Grand Lodge of Texas.
c. 1390
The Regius Poem, the oldest known Masonic document, is written in England.
1500s
Masonic lodges can be clearly traced in Scotland.
1717
Four London lodges meet and form the first Grand Lodge.
Mid-1700s
The three-degree system still used today is firmly in place.
Blue Lodge Masonry
The Three Degrees
Symbolic, Craft, or Blue Lodge Masonry confers three degrees. A degree is a drama in which the candidate plays a central part, performed with only Masons present, for the purpose of moral instruction. The degrees build on one another, and each includes an obligation, a solemn promise that teaches the candidate his duty as a Mason.
Much of the imagery comes from the Bible, above all the building of King Solomon’s Temple as described in I Kings and II Chronicles.
First Degree
Entered Apprentice
A man’s first step into the lodge, and the beginning of his Masonic education.
Second Degree
Fellow Craft
The candidate advances in knowledge and continues his study of the Craft.
Third Degree
Master Mason
The sublime degree, which makes a man a full member of the fraternity.
After each degree, the new brother learns a short catechism, a set of questions and answers, and recites it before the lodge within a set time.
Relief in Action
A Heritage of Service
Masonry teaches the importance of helping the less fortunate, and it places special weight on caring for the widows and orphans of Masons. Across the country, Masonic bodies support children’s hospitals, homes for aged Masons and their families, scholarships, and relief for people in need. Here in Texas, you can see that work in the Texas Masonic charities our brothers support.
Masonry does not produce perfect men, any more than a good home or a good church produces perfect children. What it offers is one more good influence: a place where a man is expected to keep his word, help his neighbor, and keep working to improve himself.
A few of the men who have called themselves Masons
George WashingtonPaul RevereAndrew JacksonStephen F. AustinSam HoustonTheodore RooseveltFranklin D. RooseveltHarry S. TrumanDouglas MacArthur
Born With the Republic
Freemasonry in Texas
Freemasonry reached Texas before Texas was a republic, and the Grand Lodge of Texas was founded right here in Houston.
March 1835
Six Masons meet beneath an oak tree near Brazoria and apply to the Grand Lodge of Louisiana for permission to form a lodge.
1835 – 1836
Holland Lodge No. 36, named for Louisiana Grand Master John Henry Holland, is formed with Anson Jones as its first Worshipful Master. John M. Allen delivers its charter to Jones shortly before the Battle of San Jacinto. Today it is Holland Lodge No. 1.
1837
Milam Lodge No. 40 in Nacogdoches and McFarland Lodge No. 41 in San Augustine are formed, also under the Grand Lodge of Louisiana.
1837
Representatives of all three lodges meet in Houston and establish the Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas. They elect Anson Jones its first Grand Master; he later served as the fourth and final President of the Republic.
Taking the First Step
How a Man Becomes a Mason
1
Ask a Mason
Masons do not recruit, so the first move is yours. Ask a Mason you know for a petition, or reach out to Gray Lodge.
2
Receive the Degrees
You receive the three degrees in order, and each degree carries its own fee.
3
Join the Lodge
As a Master Mason, you pay yearly dues to the lodge where you hold your membership.
Want to meet us first? Come by for dinner any Thursday at 6:00 PM.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Freemasonry
Is Freemasonry a religion?
No. Nothing in Masonry interferes with a man’s religious life, and men of many faiths and denominations belong to the worldwide fraternity.
Do I have to believe in God?
Yes. Masonry requires a belief in God and in life after death, but it never asks a man to explain the particulars of his faith.
Why is there a Bible in the lodge?
Whenever our lodge is in session, the Holy Bible lies open on the altar. The degrees draw heavily on biblical imagery, especially the building of King Solomon’s Temple.
Are religion and politics discussed?
No. Both are off limits in lodge. That rule is part of what lets men with very different views meet as brothers.
Is Freemasonry a secret society?
It is better described as a society with secrets. Our lodges, our meeting places, our members, and our purposes are all public. Only the details of the ritual are kept private.
Why is the ritual kept private?
Not out of shame. The stonemasons of old guarded their trade secrets to protect the quality of their work, and we keep ours to help make good men better. The teachings also mean far more inside the degrees than read out of context.
Who can become a Mason?
In Texas, any man at least 18 years old who believes in God and is of good character may petition a lodge.
Can women become Masons?
Gray Lodge, like every lodge under the Grand Lodge of Texas, is for men. Women related to Master Masons can join the Order of the Eastern Star, such as our friends at Bluebell Chapter No. 856 OES.
Will a Mason ask me to join?
Traditionally, no. Masons do not recruit. A man who is interested asks a Mason he knows for a petition, which makes the choice entirely his own.
What does it cost to join?
Each of the three degrees carries its own fee, and once you are a Master Mason you pay yearly dues to your lodge. Contact us for the current amounts.
When and where does Gray Lodge meet?
Stated meetings, for members only, are held on the first Wednesday of every month. Every Thursday at 6:00 PM we gather for dinner, and visitors are welcome. The lodge is at 2370 Barker Oaks Dr., Houston, TX 77077.
How do the Shriners and Scottish Rite fit in?
The Shriners, the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, and similar groups are open only to Master Masons. Every man starts in a Blue Lodge like Gray Lodge, and once he is a Master Mason he may join any of them.
Interested in Joining Freemasonry?
If the path of Freemasonry appeals to you, we would be glad to answer your questions. Learn how to join, or send us a message.