This is How You Find a Masonic Lodge Near You
TLDR: Go to LODGE LOCATOR
One of the most common searches on Google for Freemasonry is the phrase "masonic lodges near me." It might be why you've landed on this page. In this article, we'll give you precise instructions for finding a nearby Masonic Lodge.
Finding a Masonic Lodge in Illinois is easy as one, two, three.
Use the Lodge Locator tool offered by the Most Worshipful Grand Masonic Lodge of the State of Illinois.
Enter your location
Press return
Are you a visiting Mason looking to visit a local lodge?
Then you probably already know how to reach out to a Masonic Lodge. However, for new Masons or to brush up on your Masonic etiquette:
If you have time, contact the lodge secretary and express your desire to attend a meeting. The secretary will vet your membership and coordinate with you to make sure your visit is successful.
If you don't have time, knock on the door, and prepare to identify yourself:
present your dues card
agree to an interrogatory by the secretary or another officer
Be sure to have practiced your answers to an interrogatory
If you've performed your catechisms, this won't be an issue
Remember your jurisdictional differences.
Represent your lodge!
Just curious about the Fraternity?
Great! There's not much a Freemason loves more than talking about Freemasonry. The Lodge Locator will help you find a nearby Masonic Loge where a member of our fraternity will gladly answer your questions.
But there's more to finding a Freemason's hall than locating it. If you use the Lodge Locator, you'll probably find there's not just one lodge near you, but many. How do you choose which lodge is the right one?
Masonic Lodges Meet Regularly
You'll see Masonic Lodges marked with our classic Square & Compass symbol on the Lodge Locator's map results. If you click on one of them, it will send you to their official website to find their meeting times.
Most lodges meet twice monthly for a Stated Meeting and a Special Meeting, almost always on the same day of the week, at the same time. Find a lodge that meets on a night when you're free, so when you knock on the door, a Mason will answer.
How to Visit your local Masonic Lodge
As stated above, once you discover the lodge you wish to visit, just use their contact info to reach out and let them know you'd like to stop by. Lodges regularly receive visitors interested in learning about the craft, the Masonic Temple, and Freemasonry's history.
If you can't find contact info, just reach out to the Most Worshipful Grand Masonic Lodge of the State of Illinois–they will connect you to a lodge and make sure you have all the information you need to visit.
However, you can just stop in
Masonic Lodges are happy to receive visitors who are genuinely interested in learning about the craft. Most lodges in the United States serve a dinner before their meeting. You'll see their hours as (for instance) 6:30 pm Refreshments, 7:30 pm lodge meeting.
If you show up during dinner, Freemasons will offer you a plate and a place at their table and answer questions about Freemasonry. Of course, in Illinois, Masonic temples are observing strict guidelines for conducting meetings during the restrictive phases of the Covid-19 pandemic. There may be some temporary restrictions on visitors at the lodge level and you may have to reschedule if the lodge can't accommodate a drop-in visit.