WHY or HOW Did you Become a Freemason ?

[Kev 0]

I first started some 30 years ago, I worked as a blocker in the hat trade and worked with an elderly gentleman that always had Wednesday afternoon off, he would come into work with his case and then disappear, one lunch time he showed me his regalia and told me a little about what he did on his Wednesday. 30 years passed and I was helping out with my wife's cleaning firm when a customer showed me his collection of firing glasses we got talking and he looked in his members book and found the name of a member who I worked with he contacted him for me and the rest is history

[Mike Lawrence 3]

Some really great stories on this thread, I will add mine for posterity!

During the sixties, my father worked in Local Government and was invited to join, unknown to him at the time, a scandalous Lodge which has subsequently featured in books written by Stephen Knight & Martin Short.

As one would expect, after a few years my father disassociated himself from the Lodge, particularly after becoming a Mormon.

None of the family gave it anymore thought until I moved to Folkestone where I met a shop keeper who not only knew my father, but I used to use his shop when I lived in London. He was a Freemason.

Having only good memories of the Ladies nights and the many charitable works carried out by Freemasons, I happened to mention my interest to the shop keeper, who immediately set the wheels in motion for me to join.

On the night of my interview, there were a couple of senior members with whom I was actually serving with on the local school council and they were very please to see me.

A year of so later, my father also moved to Folkestone and joined my Lodge, we made a great double act as Deacons and Wardens. My father had never been through the Chair and it was my privilege for him to be my Senior Warden when I was Master.

Sadly he died six weeks before I could install him.

[Monkey Brother 0]

Well, as a child in the 1980s and 1990s I remember my maternal grandfather occasionally mentioning 'The Lodge'. He and his sons (who sadly have fallen away from the Craft) were Freemasons, his wife and daughter were Eastern Star. To this day my grandmother (my grandfather having passed on in 1995) still proudly hangs on her wall a clock inscribed with the name of the lodge.

Then in the late 90s, I regained contact with my father whom I hadn't seen in a while. In the interim, he had joined the Craft. I remember the framed certificates on the wall drawing my attention. My father later told me that he was inspired to join Freemasonry because of his ex father-in-law, my grandfather.

Now being of an age to consume alcohol, my father would take me to the lodge social club whenever I went to visit. There I met many friendly men of all ages, who spoke with intelligence and courtesy. These men, it turned out, were Masons. It was through my interactions with these men, some now sadly no longer with us, that I decided one day I would pursue light.

I mulled it over for a few years, still feeling immature, to be honest. Then, I turned 30, my dad retired, and I was engaged to be married. I was a grown up. So, in May 2011 my father and I attended a dramatisation at my local lodge. I obtained a petition that evening, and was initiated last night, 21st February 2012. Before my initiation, I was approached by a man who asked if I was the grandson of his good friend, and brother. It honours me that these men, who were proud to call my grandfather 'Brother', would welcome me into the Craft.

[Ged23 0]

Hi Bretheren,

I was working on a refurbishment of a major soap powder maker in Warrington at the time. whilst surveying the site for a large crane lifting operation with a colleague, I was introduced to our customer, who was wearing a ring, an S&C ring. Being curious i asked what did the design mean? Reg, (Mr. Wills or as i called him then), gave me enough of an explaination to inspire me to persue him further at our next meeting on site. I wet on to meet a couple of his "pals" at St Austins 4335 (now dormant) and i entered freemasony then up to FC degree.

Sadly my proposer Reg passed away shortly after i moved to Scotland, because of work commitments, distance etc i could not give freemasonry enough of my time.

Eventually though, once I knew i could be in position to give time and effort to freemasonry, i chased down a friend of mine whom i knew to be brother. After some letter writing by Lodge Polmonts sec the GLoS and UGLE got together and I was raised early last year. I affiliated to Lodge Polmont 793 GLoS and I am very proud of that fact and I am hopeful i will be a good servant to this most respected lodge. I obtained my mark in Dec11.

Anyway, i suppose it was curiosity that led me in, but i will always remember Reg's words on the night of my initiation "keep an open mind you will enjoy it all the more" and I did... and still do.

[JamesGreaves 0]

I joined because my father asked me. I did not really understand what it was apart from some subconscious thoughts of funny handshakes and the like. Turns out to be one of the best things I have ever done. Sadly my father was recently put into a home after a debilitating stroke and the care and support both he and my mother have received from the lodge is humbling.

Truly a wonderful organisation.

James

[S.Andrews 0]

I became aware of Freemasonry at a young age as I was brought up as a Christian. Most of what I heard was negative however when I became old enough I looked at the pros (and cons-of which there are none that I can see) and decided I wanted to be a Freemason. I did not know any Freemasons and so i emailed the UGLE and they put me in touch with a local lodge. I got to know the guys and then petitioned to join. I joined the local lodge. I really enjoyed it and loved the philosophical nature of Freemasonry.

I got married in July 2009. My wife at this point (also from a evangelical christrian background) was unsure about the nature/compatability of Freemasonry and for a short while i resigned from lodge as it was becoming a point of contention between us. As a few years have passed my wife's views on Freemasonry have mellowed and I have made contact with another lodge (as i have moved house) and as of tomorrow I will be a member of my local lodge.

[SG-1 0]

sojourner (05/04/2009)

---

A friend of mine asked out of the blue (no pun intended), if my wife and I would like to come to a Ladies' Evening, explaining that it was a 'dinner suite and long dress' do. Surprised and knowing absolutely nothing about the Masons, I said, "yes." and we duly attended. It was a fabulous affair, which both my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed. The atmosphere was excellent and everyone that we met were so friendly and welcoming. As a young inner city beat-cop, my experiences made me think that the world was not not a nice place and there were precious few decent people that I came across on a daily basis.Over the course of the next few months we attended a succession of Lodge socials, cheese and wine parties, tombolas etc and on every occasion I was most taken with the warmth of the welcome and the standard and character of the people I met. Here were decent people. No unpleasantness, no drunkenness, 'no spittoons in the corner and no sawdust on the floor'. These were people that I wanted to associate with and whose company I actively sought.

I duly made application and attended at the Masonic Hall for interview. Imagine my shock, when whilst waiting at the bar to be called in front of the Committee, in walked my father-in-law! We both were surprised to discover that, unknown to each other, we had both applied to join different Lodges and had come to the same Hall on the same night for interview by different Lodge Committees.That was 34 years ago.

I have been an active Mason ever since. During my years on the job it was indeed an island of sanity in a largely unsavory sea. It was a decision that I have never once regretted and now retired, I have virtually become a fulltime Freemason (or so says my wife).

And very proudly so.:smooooth:

Dear Sir

What a wonderful personal history. I found myself pointing at my computer screen and saying "yes, yes, yes that's exactly why I joined.

My only regret is that I didn't have the opportunity years ago.

Although I am very much at the beginning of my journey, I am so very, very proud to be a Mason.

Does this make sense? Every time I leave my lodge or have any contact with my fellow brothers, I feel better about myself and the world around me. Honestly that didn't sound quite a cheesy in my head :-)

[alanogden 0]

I joined whilst looking around for an organisation who were committed to charity. Working together towards charitable giving is a noble effort.

Online searches kept coming up with links to Freemasonry so I delved a little deeper. Obviously coming up against the negativity from websites and friends, and now with hindsight naivety i tentatively submitted a request to UGLE's website. A chap from Manchester rang me up a few days later, who then put me in touch with Bolton district and here I am!

After a trying start, I am extremely happy in Freemasonry now and enjoy every meeting and all the events. Not had to learn this much material since University! Heading into Chapter next month after being raised in November last year.

[Occult Freemasonry 0]

My story is a bit weird. My Grandma, Dad's side, is a fanatic Christian fundamentalist that believes any kind of conspiracy theory. One day, -I think I was six, seven or eight- she started lecturing me about Satan, Freemasonry, Mormons and many other completely unrelated thing making a Conspiracy Theories potpourri. She also gave me a book that presented some Masonic rituals and teachings trying to persuade me that they are Satanic! I already knew that whatever she'd say about those things was surely not to be taken seriously so, I was replying "yes Grandma" all the time. I kept this book (It was Leo Taxil's and it was full of missleading comments) and from that day, I had a keen interest in the Craft. I also became interested in the Occult some years ago. When I became an adult, I almost immediately joined Freemasonry. In my twenties, I travelled to the UK and joined Ordo Templi Orientis. I have a dual citizenship but I didn't join a Masonic Lodge in the UK. I've been thinking of joining one, though, so that I will be able to join the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia.

[postiebear 0]

I first became aware of the freemasons when i was in my late teens. Was told you had to be invited and didnt give it much thought that i would ever join.

Have researched it over the years and it came to the front again after da vinci code and more info was available on the internet. One of my friends was thinking of becoming a mason and we had a great chat.

My wife to be was against it as she was raised a christian, but after he was initiated she had a chat with him and then encouraged me to join. He proposed me and i was accepted.

After i was initiated she still had reservations after being told by the church freemasonary is the work of the devil. After we married she consulted the priest who is a family friend and told him her fears, he replied very favourably of freemasonary then let it be known he had joined over 28 yrs ago.

I now have her full blessing and she is looking forward to expanding our social network.

[geoffcr 0]

Most of the men on my moms side of the family are Masons. I was always intrugied with the craft and did quite a bit of reading.

The main person that inspired me to be a mason was my grandfather. I remember being a young boy and seeing my grandfather getting dressed for lodge. On his lodge days he would be so jolly and I remember him smartly dressed and leaving the house with his case and whistling happily away. I would try to get as much info about the craft from him but he's good at keeping secrets.

3 years ago I decided to become a mason if they would accept me. The problem was most of my family is from the north of England (Spennymoore) and my mom moved to the Caribbean (Trinidad) when I was young. It was difficult finding masons especially in a superstitious society where masons were thought to be devil worshipers. Eventually I got chatting to someone about the lodge and my masonic roots and little did I know he was a mason.

To make a long story short after a lot of interviews and a lengthy wait this same person proposed me and I was initiated 3 months ago. I never expected to enjoy the craft and meetings this much. The knowledge and guidance I get from senior brothers is amazing.

I called my grandfather to tell him I was about to be initiated - He was so proud and happy, let me first say my grandfather and I were very very close but after I spoke about the intiation there was another bond which I can't describe which brought us even closer.

My grandfather jockingly started calling me brother and he was excited to fly to the Caribbean for my initiation, unfortunately he passed away a few days later and never got to attend.

I am still very happy I got to tell him about my decision to become a mason and I am overjoyed with the new brothers I have gained.

[FreemasonPride 0]

I am a 5th generation Freemason, but that is not why I joined. My grandfather was a Freemason but barely spoke of it. However, when he did speak of the fraternity it was always of admiration of the members and what it stood for. He passed that respect on to my father who then passed it on to me. As I was growing up, it wasn't a matter of "if" I would join, it was a matter of "when". Joining the fraternity was as matter of fact as, getting a drivers license, or graduating from high school. Not that anyone of them told me I had to join, that never happened. It was a matter of when i was ready. That time came when I was 29. I was married, stable in my job and home life. I was never more proud, and I had my father there to watch.

[karnagge 0]

Your history is wonderful,

I Believe i am the only one Mason in my family, but i want to create this tradition with my two sons. (one with 10 years old and the other will came in 09 ).

I still apprentice but love so much the Mason and my rite (Brazilian Rite).

A day i want visite a lodge in EUA.

[]x3 for all.

[Raggedstaff 0]

My Father is a mason and I grew up playing with his regalia when he wasn't there, and going to the Lodge Christmas parties and admiring the knives and swords. I guess I always knew I would end up joining, but the plan was to join his Lodge when he was Master, but I moved to the other end of the country and so had to find my own way. I did a bit of research, contacted a local lodge and after a year or so of social events and informal beer sessions I was initiated.

My Dad came down for my initiation and presented an unusual version of the Charge. His Lodge is 274 years old and uses a unique form of ritual so he has the advantage that when he's part of the workings in my Lodge no-one can tell him he got it wrong!

I really hope that my boys will grow up with as positive a view on it as I did.

[spudgun 0]

For as long as I can remember i have had an interest in freemasonry. There are many masons in my family on my mums side, I have been told. I have also had a long interest in boating, the two clashed when a mason joined our boat club, though I did not know he was a mason at the time. It was a slip of the tongue which enabled me to dissern his interest. once I knew, well that was it, I was in like Flynne. I am now a master mason and am thoroughly enjoying my masonry. I am thinking of joining Chapter as it is the next logical step!

[MMM 0]

Why;

I joined for a few reasons.

Primarily I felt the need for friendship amongst fellow men. Iwas looking at early Gnostic writings and have a keen interest in history, thecraft has made me look at previous assumptions I have made about these matters.I want to become a better man and increased social confidence. I like tools!

How;

In the b..y of a lodge........

[Anubis99 0]

I grew up with it around me, both Grandfathers, My Father, Uncle and many friends of the family were all Freemasons. It wasn't until I had bought my first property and was in my early 30's and realised that there was a Lodge on my doorstep (quite literally) that I decided to enquire further, approached the lodge via the Provincial website, not knowing any local members. Admittedly, back in 2005 it took them 4 months to reply to my online enquiry but they did and gave me the number of a local member of the lodge who then took up my case and proposed me. I made history for the lodge by being the first member to join the Lodge in the 100 years of its then existence via the Internet.

[AndrewDG78 0]

To paraphrase a certain Mr.Henry Hill from the Scorcese film, Goodfellas, " As far back as I can remember I always wanted to be a Mason ". From hearing older family members speak of them in respected tones to being curious of their 'secrets' after reading The DaVinci Code, I have always had an interest in being a Mason. As I grew older and got married I discovered that my Father-In-Law was a life-long Mason and my interest was once again re-ignited. Older and wiser by now my reasons for wanting to join had changed, We attended a few of the social events organised by my Father-In-Laws Lodge, sometimes just my wife and I and at Christmas and Halloween with our two children. What struck me most was the old world charm that these events had, They reminded me of the social events we attended when I was a child. Everybody was polite and welcoming and I thought to myself that I would like to be a fixture in this world. My interest in anything historic was also a big draw, The Masons have a rich and interesting history that deserves respect and study and I wanted to find out what drew men like Rudyard Kipling and Isaac Newton to ' The Craft '. Now was my time. I had a discussion with my Father-In-Law, who seemed delighted that I was expressing an interest in joining, the relevant steps were followed and on Wednesday just gone I completed my 2nd Degree in two months and will be doing my 3rd Degree in a months time ready for the summer break when I will return as an officer of my Lodge.I am proud and delighted to be able to call my self a Brother, Freemasonry is everything I hoped it would be and long may it continue. Happy to meet, Sorry to part, Happy to meet again.

Brother Andrew Griffiths
Fellow Craft
Memory Lodge 4264

[ChrisLeeVella 0]

I was introduced to the craft by a scottish freemason who came to live in Malta. :) And I joined the scottish lodge he was affiliated with over here. :)

[brianc 0]

not sure if I am entitled to post here as im not a mason yet but its been lovely reading your stories and just wanted to add what got me interested.

as with a few others in this thread there are no masons within my family that I know of. I have always been interested in things that seem surreal for example the Incan calendar theories, pyramids and there origins, etc. being a bit of a bookworm kid I stumbled upon stories of freemasons in many novels including Mathew Reilly and Dan brown books. these intrigued me but I cant say I knew it was for me until I found out that my friend was a mason and his father was too. he is a great bloke who it is easy to respect and of a very similar morality to myself. this along with my curious nature lead me to ask him questions and ultimately petition to his lodge (incidentally, just round the corner from me)

I am very grateful for his guidance and taking on the task of being my proposer. I look forward to one day joining him at the lodge.

B

[W Bro Barrie 0]

I had a couple of friends who were Masons, however I was never really interested until after my father passed away, and on sorting out his things I stumbled upon his Grand Lodge Certificate. Asking my mother about it I found out he had joined a military Lodge in Singapore during the war years but she did'nt know much more. Determined to find out more I began nagging my friends until they proposed and seconded me.

After joining I asked our secretary if he could find out any more for me. My fathers Lodge moved from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur after the war and is still going strong to this day. He contacted the Lodge on my behalf and I now have an open invitation to attend any of their meetings. :)

[3degrees 0]

Got to know a Mason who was a PM in a lodge in Berkshire back in 1982. I asked him questions about the craft and became interested and eventually asked him if I could join. Looking back now, I think he felt that I was probably too young and didn't really encourage me to take it any further.
Many years later, I was doing an Google search for something quite unrelated to FM but somehow FM appeared in the search.
I started reading and thought about my conversation with the PM all those years ago and that perhaps I could take things a bit further. I spent about a year researching FM, reading several books but like so many people got information from the US, English, Scottish and Irish constitutions and had a totally mixed up view of what FM was all about.


I eventually contacted my local lodge and found to my surprise, after visiting, that I knew 3 other masons in another lodge in the same town.

Joining the craft was one of the best things I have every done and just wish that I had done so 10 years earlier (how many of us have heard that !! )

[Bulldog 0]

I had a team member who was always ready to muck in, except the first Wednesday of the month

When together in a hotel after a busy day running a training course, I asked him why the First Wednesday was always a problem,

He explained, I was fascinated, it led to a proposal into my Mother Lodge, and that process took 2 years !

Being immersed in an environment where values and principles are high, where people are good, and considerate is such a positive
impact, as much on me now as it was then.

Wouldn't change a thing. ( but I might want to be slimmer )

[JCW 0]

My ex-wife had a ring that belonged to her grandfather. She kept it on a shelf in the bathroom, where I saw it every day. It was a focus of meditation in the morning, and I began asking questions about the Craft. The more I learned, the more I wanted to be a part of it. Ironically, my wife was viciously opposed to me joining.

After our divorce, I asked a number of men I knew if they were Masons, but none were. I finally called the number in the directory, and was invited down for coffee. I started coming by regularly, and months later I was invited to Installation. After it was over, I asked the newly installed Senior Deacon (who I'd come to know well) for a Petition.

A year or so after I was Raised, circumstances made it possible for me to buy that ring, and it is once again a focus for meditation. And so much more.

[Stuart Wildman 0]

My first introduction to Masonry was being invited to a ladies evening by a close friend of mine. My Wife and I really enjoyed the company and ambiance of the evenings it was really nice to be able to go out and enjoy ourselves without having some one overstep the mark.

I began to ask questions of my friend and he answered those he could but did not say to much about what went on in the lodge as he said it was something you come to not knowing anything about and experience it as all members have an act of faith followed by a journey of learning and growth masonically speaking, this served to really get my interest.

For me I loved the idea of belonging to a Fraternity or Brotherhood that had mysteries and secrets to be learned whilst promoting charity in the form of giving time as well as money to good causes in the community. Freemasonry also appealed to me as it is one of the few bastions left in society where manners, etiquette and gentlemanly conduct actually count for something are encouraged and promoted. It is really nice to belong to an organisation that gives back to society and does so much good for the community in a really understated way.

S & F
Stuart