What is a Freemason

Freemasonry is one of the world's oldest, largest, and most enduring fraternal organizations. For more than three centuries it has united men of good character across every race, religion, and social background under a shared commitment to Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. Understanding what Freemasonry is — and what it is not — helps illuminate why millions of men throughout history have been proud to call themselves Freemasons.

Origins & History

Operative Stonemasons

Freemasonry traces its symbolic roots to the medieval craft guilds of operative (working) stonemasons who built the great cathedrals, castles, and public buildings of Europe. These skilled craftsmen organized themselves into lodges — temporary on-site structures that served as meeting rooms, workshops, and places of fellowship. Within the lodge, masters passed trade secrets and moral lessons to apprentices through a system of signs, symbols, and allegorical instruction.

The Birth of Speculative Freemasonry (1717)

By the early 17th century, gentlemen scholars and philosophers — men who were not practicing stonemasons — began to be admitted as "speculative" or accepted members of operative lodges. Their interest lay not in the trade itself but in the rich moral and philosophical symbolism the craft offered. On June 24, 1717, four London lodges came together at the Goose and Gridiron Alehouse in St. Paul's Churchyard to form the first Grand Lodge — the Premier Grand Lodge of England — marking the birth of modern, organized Freemasonry.

In 1723, the Reverend James Anderson published the Book of Constitutions, which codified the rules, landmarks, and spirit of the order. It declared that Freemasonry was to be a place where men of every nation, sect, and opinion could meet on common ground, united by a belief in a Supreme Being and a dedication to moral self-improvement.

Freemasonry in America

Freemasonry spread rapidly through the American colonies in the 18th century. Provincial Grand Lodges were established in Boston (1733) and Philadelphia (1734). Many of America's Founding Fathers were Freemasons, including George Washington (who was Worshipful Master of Alexandria Lodge No. 22), Benjamin Franklin (Provincial Grand Master of Pennsylvania), Paul Revere, John Hancock, and others. The principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity that animated the American Revolution found a natural home in the Masonic lodge.

Freemasonry in New Jersey

New Jersey has a proud Masonic heritage. The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of New Jersey was constituted in 1786, and the state's lodges have been centers of fellowship, charity, and civic life ever since. Today, lodges operate throughout every county in New Jersey, continuing a tradition of service and brotherhood that spans more than two centuries.

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Core Beliefs & Principles

Freemasonry is not a religion, nor does it substitute for one. It does, however, require that every candidate believe in a Supreme Being — however that Being is understood in the candidate's own faith tradition. Masonry brings together men of different creeds and backgrounds and asks them to set aside doctrinal differences in favor of shared moral values.

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Structure & the Three Degrees

A Masonic lodge is the fundamental unit of Freemasonry. Every lodge is chartered by and accountable to its Grand Lodge, which governs within a particular jurisdiction (usually a state or country). Lodges hold regular meetings — called "communications" — for degree work, business, and fellowship.

The journey into Freemasonry progresses through three symbolic degrees, each built around allegorical lessons drawn from the stonemason's craft:

Beyond the three Blue Lodge degrees, additional bodies such as the Scottish Rite (which confers up to the 32nd degree) and the York Rite (Royal Arch, Cryptic Councils, and Knights Templar) offer deeper philosophical exploration for Master Masons who wish to continue their Masonic education. All of these bodies build upon — and require membership in — a regular Blue Lodge.

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What It Means to Belong

Membership in a Masonic lodge is a voluntary, personal commitment. Men petition to join; they are never solicited. Once initiated, a Mason joins a worldwide brotherhood numbering in the millions across more than 200 countries and jurisdictions.

Fellowship & Brotherhood

A lodge is a place where a man's profession, social status, or political opinion carries no weight — what matters is his character and his willingness to grow. Masons form genuine, lasting friendships; when a Mason travels, he can visit lodges in other states and countries, confident of a warm welcome from brothers he has never met.

Moral & Personal Development

Freemasonry does not tell a man what to believe; it encourages him to examine himself honestly, to strengthen his virtues, and to correct his failings. Through degree work, ritual, and discussion, a Mason is constantly challenged to become a better son, husband, father, neighbor, and citizen.

Charitable Work

Charity is at the heart of Masonic practice. American Freemasons contribute an estimated $2 million per day to charitable causes — hospitals, food banks, disaster relief, youth programs, and educational scholarships. Masonic-affiliated institutions include Shriners Hospitals for Children (which provides free care to children regardless of family income), the Masonic Home systems that serve aging Masons and their families, and countless local scholarship funds — including the Masonic Charity Foundation of New Jersey.

Civic Engagement

Lodges have long been centers of civic life. Freemasons serve on school boards, volunteer fire departments, hospital boards, and community organizations. The lodge meeting itself models democratic governance: officers are elected, business is conducted by majority vote, and every member has an equal voice.

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Notable Freemasons Throughout History

Freemasonry has counted among its members some of history's most influential figures:

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Common Questions

Is Freemasonry a religion?

No. Freemasonry is a fraternal organization, not a religion. It has no theology, no sacraments, and does not claim to offer salvation. It does require a belief in a Supreme Being, making it compatible with most of the world's major faiths. Discussion of partisan politics and sectarian religion is prohibited inside the lodge.

Is Freemasonry secretive?

Freemasonry is often called a "secret society," but a more accurate description is a society with secrets. The existence of lodges, the names of members, and the general teachings of the order are widely known and openly discussed. What are kept confidential are certain traditional modes of recognition — handshakes, words, and signs — that Masons use to identify one another. These date to the era when operative masons needed to prove their craft qualifications at job sites far from home.

Who can become a Freemason?

In jurisdictions like New Jersey, Freemasonry is open to adult men of good moral character who believe in a Supreme Being. A candidate must petition a lodge of his own free will, receive a favorable vote from the lodge membership, and be found worthy through a background inquiry. Masonry is never solicited — a man must seek it.

How do I find a lodge in New Jersey?

The Grand Lodge of New Jersey maintains a Lodge Locator on its official website, making it easy to find a lodge near you, learn about meeting times, and reach out to local members.

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