MASONIC HISTORY

As a prelude to the history associated with our own temple, a brief overview of Masonic and Eastern Star roots is offered.  Many incorrectly speculate that Freemasonry began thousands of years ago, during the dawn of civilization. Although this makes for an interesting story, Freemasonry can be traced back 800 years to the times of operative masons, those individuals who constructed the great cathedrals throughout Europe. These workers organized themselves into Guilds, or Lodges, which consisted of three levels of expertise. The first level was that of apprentices, or manual laborers. The second level workers were known as craftsmen, the skilled workmen who helped refine their work in stone to an artistic level.  Within the third level were the Masters, their advanced skill level allowed them to supervise the ongoing work.

When entering a Guild, the apprentice had to improve both his working and moral skills before being considered  for  advancement. It was through these Guilds, or Lodges, that Operative Masons gave birth to the present day Lodges of Freemasons. As the demand for the stone cathedrals of old waned, the Guilds, in an effort to remain active, opened their membership to individuals of high moral character. These new members were not workers in the trade, but were called "Accepted" or "Speculative" Masons. As time moved on, the Lodges began to be known as "Speculative Lodges". The symbolism these new lodges used were adopted from the working tools and craft that was associated with the Operative Lodges. The most obvious example is that of the square and compass.  Further, the word "Free" in Freemasonry can be attributed to the original operative masons. During the height of their existence, their skills in working with stone were in high demand, which allowed them to "freely" traverse into foreign countries to apply their trades.

From these beginnings, Freemasonry has grown into the world's largest fraternal organization. Openly displaying its existence, Freemasonry is not a secret society, but rather an organization with secrets that strives to fashion a man into a better human being. It is not a religion, but a belief in a Deity is required. The tenants to this belief serve as a cornerstone for molding a man into a higher level of societal skills. Faith, Hope, and Charity being a hallmark of Freemasons, it has been estimated that as a whole, the various bodies of Masonry, which includes the Order of Eastern Star, is well over 1.5 million dollars per day.

It is mankinds basic desire to better itself that has allowed Freemasonry, and all its appendant bodies to survive and expand, to transcend political boundaries and religious beliefs. Although Freemasonry doesn't bind itself with any political doctrine, many great patriots of the United States were Freemasons. Examples include George Washington, General Douglas Macarthur, Benjamin Franklin, and Paul Revere.  With research, the reader would discover that history is populated with many famous Freemasons from both the arts and sciences.

Membership into the Blue Lodges of Freemasonry is limited to men, but one of its recognized and associated bodies, The Order of the Eastern Star, is open to female membership. A brief history of which will be offered next.

Page Two... (Order of the Eastern Star)