'Freemasons For Dummies' Masonic News by Christopher Hodapp

Another Courtroom Delay in Texas Mason's Slaying

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Hodapp) — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 18:29:00 +0000

Photo: KRGV-TV5

by Christopher Hodapp

Julio Diaz (allegedly) shot and killed Freemason Robert Wise outside a Masonic lodge in McAllen, Texas almost three years ago. But the murder case against him has been delayed multiple times, most recently on Monday.

McAllen is a small town right on the Mexican border in the southernmost tip of Texas, just west of South Padre Island.

On the night of July 10, 2023, Brother Wise was leaving an officers’ installation ceremony at McAllen Lodge 1110 (he had just been installed as Junior Deacon) when Diaz reportedly drove into the lodge parking lot, approached him, and opened fire at close range. Witnesses inside the lodge heard gunshots and rushed outside to find Wise gravely wounded; he later died at a hospital. Authorities quickly identified Diaz as a suspect, aided in part by the video he allegedly filmed and posted online, bragging to an acquaintance about it in a text message.

After his arrest, sources familiar with the investigation said that Diaz believed Masons are "devil worshiping Illuminatists." A Facebook commenter said Diaz had previously posted anti-Masonic comments on social media, claiming the lodge "had put a curse on him."

The lodge was previously vandalized in March of 2022, when an unknown person tagged the location with graffiti reading, “Sorcery against the Holy spirit and the human race must all be stoned to death.” It's not known if Diaz was responsible for that incident, but he also faces a separate arson charge from an incident in September 2022, when he had attempted to set the McAllen Masonic hall on fire. Interior surveillance footage recorded him at that time breaking in by smashing the glass front door, pouring gasoline on the floor, and lighting a piece of cardboard on fire. Diaz admitted setting that fire to investigators after his arrest in connection with Wise’s death. Investigators obtained and examined Diaz’s camera and found evidence that also linked him to a separate February 2023 fire at Llano Grande Masonic Lodge, located about 20 miles west of McAllen in Weslaco, Texas.

The shocking nature of the crime has made the case particularly unsettling within the fraternity. Despite the seriousness of the charges, the case has been repeatedly delayed, prompting visible frustration from the court. During a hearing Monday, presiding judge J.B. "Bobby" Flores sharply questioned why a case now more than two years old has yet to go to trial, demanding, “When do we try this thing?” The latest postponement came after the defense requested more time to review a large volume of newly disclosed evidence and to pursue medical and psychological evaluations, including questions about Diaz’s competency and a reported brain condition. Diaz has also faced scrutiny over prior incidents, including alleged arson attempts involving Masonic properties, which prosecutors may use to establish motive or pattern of behavior. Ongoing disputes over evidence and mental fitness have created a procedural logjam, leaving the court, the victim’s family, the lodge brethren, and other observers still waiting for the case to finally be resolved.

Lodge Facebook page

Robert Wise leaves behind his wife, five children, and eleven grandchildren, along with brothers, sisters, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

In a separate civil case, Wise's family filed a lawsuit against the lodge itself for failing to take security precautions that might have protected him, or at least discouraged Diaz. The lodge had purchased outdoor lighting and surveillance equipment months before the shooting occurred but failed to install them. Further, the suit pointed out the rise in recent years of attacks against lodges and individual Masons should have made the local lodge more vigilant and protective of its members' safety. The suit was settled out of court.

The judge in Diaz's case has scheduled his next hearing in August to give the defense more time to examine evidence and medical reports. Maybe then Brother Wise and his family will finally be able to receive the closure that's been so long postponed.

California Opens Starfleet Lodge U.D.

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Hodapp) — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 20:11:00 +0000

by Christopher Hodapp

The Grand Lodge of California has officially established Freemasonry’s first Star Trek-themed affinity lodge. Starfleet Lodge U.D. was consecrated on Sunday in the Pleasanton Masonic Hall. Grand Master Garrett S. Chan was on hand for the occasion. (Photos from Jonathan Hirshon’s Facebook page)

Their location makes sense as Pleasanton is a suburban neighborhood of San Francisco, where, according to the canon of the Star Trek universe, is the location of Starfleet headquarters. Or will be in the 23rd century. No word yet on whether they can be numbered 1701 once they satisfy the requirements of being under dispensation.

WB Adam Hanin is the lodge’s founding Worshipful Master, WB Nicholas Hayworth, Senior Warden, WB Dinesh Chhabra, Junior Warden, and WB Gary Sparks, Senior Deacon. Yes, the Tyler is armed with a very sharp Bat'leth to repel boarders.

Dilithium crystal-powered gavel

Festive Board on Deck 5

As they say in Scotland, "The lodge is closed, and the bar is open!"
But where is the Saurian brandy?

Food replicator needs reprogramming: no green beans in sight.
And that spaghetti on a paper plate is "best served cold."

In recent years California has been encouraging the establishment of affinity lodges, made up of members with a special interest in common. As many as twenty years ago, my friend WB Jeffrey Naylor strongly advocated for affinity lodges based on shared outside interests of groups of Masons. He encouraged embracing ideas like a “Lionel Lodge” for train enthusiasts, arguing that common passions could attract quality men to Freemasonry without conflicting with its principles.

Many jurisdictions have hundreds of lodges, creating opportunities for unique, non-cookie-cutter experiences rather than identical ones. In England, the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) has long supported this approach with numerous affinity lodges for hobbies and occupations—such as fishermen, gamers, F1 racing fans, actors, musicians, and rugby players—alongside their Universities Scheme to attract students and faculty. A new science fiction and fantasy-themed lodge in the UK recently drew over 130 attendees at its consecration. One member noted that these lodges simply combine two passions, strengthening both the lodge and the fraternity, while maintaining standard ritual and meetings.

Sadly, affinity lodges have still not became widespread in the United States, which is a missed opportunity. My own jurisdiction of Indiana has seen a few special-purpose lodges over the years, including ones for handicapped candidates, a blood drive (Transylvania Lodge), historic preservation, and medical professionals, plus historic foreign-language lodges in German back in the 19th century. There is, however, increasing interest in contemplative, philosophical, and esoteric-minded lodges. With so many possibilities within our basic framework, there is ample room to experiment while honoring Masonic landmarks and thinking creatively to attract (and retain) new members and revitalize the fraternity.

Fire at Indiana Masonic Home’s Compass Park: Construction Destroyed, But Residents Safe

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Hodapp) — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Photo: City of Franklin Fire Dept.

by Christopher Hodapp

On the morning of Friday, April 10, 2026, just after 5:00 a.m., a large fire broke out at the Indiana Masonic Home at Compass Park in Franklin, Indiana. The blaze rapidly engulfed Young’s Creek II, a 39-unit apartment building under construction as part of the campus expansion. The building was unoccupied at the time and just 100 days from opening.

It's been declared a total loss, with damages estimated to exceed $20 million.

Credit: WTHR-13 Video

In an interview with WTHR-TV13, Franklin Fire Chief Joshua Snyder described it as “the largest fire I’ve seen in my 20-year career in Franklin,” and possibly the biggest in the city in decades. Approximately 60 firefighters from 11 departments across Johnson County (including Franklin, Bargersville, Edinburgh, Greenwood, and Whiteland) responded. It took about two and a half hours to bring the fire under control, with crews coming back over the weekend to battle continuing hot spots. The state fire marshal is assisting with the investigation, which could take two to three months.

Cause has not yet been determined but is not considered suspicious at this time.

Thankfully, there were no injuries to residents, staff, or emergency personnel. While the fire primarily destroyed the new construction, smoke and water damage affected the occupied building, prompting a precautionary evacuation of about 55 residents. But thankfully, the firewall separating the two buildings did its job and stopped the spread - things could have been much, much worse. Mike Spencer, CEO of Compass Park, noted that staff safely evacuated residents from the adjoining Young’s Creek Phase I building in just 17 minutes—thanks to monthly fire drills and emergency training. Three staff members were checked for smoke inhalation and released.

Kudos to Mike and his staff, who executed a calm, quick and efficient evacuation.

In the official statement from Compass Park, the Masonic Home expressed deep gratitude for the swift multi-agency response and the overwhelming support from the Franklin community and Brothers across the jurisdiction:

“We have received an outpouring of support from the Franklin community and Brothers from around the jurisdiction. We couldn’t be more grateful for everyone’s willingness to be helpful.”

Most of the destroyed apartments in Young's Creek II had been pre-sold. With move-in day a little more than 3 months away, more than a few of those folks anticipated the movie by selling their existing homes already, or scheduling their closings. Now, 39 families have to make new arrangements pretty quickly.

The destroyed building was adjacent to occupied housing, so the immediate focus has been on caring for the displaced residents. Many are staying with family, while others are being put up in nearby hotels. Compass Park is providing transportation for meals, activities, and services. The statement emphasizes that in moments like this, the greatest challenges are often personal rather than structural.

The statement continued:

“Our immediate priority must be to care for these Brothers, Sisters, and residents and ensure their basic needs are met… Support given now plays a vital role in restoring stability and peace of mind for residents during a period of sudden turbulence.”

Donations are being requested to help cover temporary housing, food, water, transportation, and other essential needs as circumstances evolve. This weekend coincided with the Annual Assembly of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Indiana. During that event, more than $5600 was quickly collected for the relief of the displaced residents of Compass Park.

Updates on the investigation and rebuilding efforts will be shared as they become available.

How You Can Help

Brethren are encouraged to keep the Compass Park community in their thoughts and prayers as they work through this challenge together. If you’d like to support the residents of Compass Park, donations for temporary housing, meals, and essentials can be directed through the official channels of the Indiana Masonic Home.

The Indiana Masonic Home Foundation has coordinated with leadership at Compass Park and have agreed that during this challenging period donations for fire-related recovery should be sent directly to:

Compass Park
c/o Mike Spencer
690 State Street
Franklin, IN 46131

This ensures funds go immediately where they are needed most during this time.

They have also set up an official direct donations page via Square. CLICK HERE to donate online.

Speaking in Indiana and Wyoming This Week

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Hodapp) — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 17:52:00 +0000

by Christopher Hodapp

I will be speaking Wednesday night at Jubilee Lodge 746 in Whiteland, Indiana at the request of WB Michael Steele, Worshipful Master. Dinner begins at 6:00PM, prepared by the indefatigable Heather Steele, and the meeting will open at 7:00. Michael and Heather have been of immeasurable help to the Masonic Library & Museum of Indiana this year and I can't thank them enough for all they've done (even if Michael DID use the silliest photo of me he could find - it was a 4th of July fireworks show and I was NOT trying to look like Rex Hutchens).

Jubilee Lodge was so named because it was the first lodge chartered in 1968, the Jubilee Year of the Grand Lodge of Indiana which was celebrating the 150th anniversary of its founding in 1818.

This weekend I'll be flying to the far-flung land of the Cowboy State to speak at the Grand Master's Spring 2026 Reunion of the Grand Lodge of Wyoming in Riverton. Grand Master Greg Shiek and his education committee have assembled a great lineup of presentations.

The event will be Saturday, April 11th at Riverton Lodge 26. Registration opens at 7:00AM, and Grand Lodge opens at 9:00AM.

Christopher L. Hodapp, author of Freemasons for Dummies
"Global Influence of Masonry," Nathan Clark, SGS, Casper Lodge #15
"Part 1: Why the Nazis Targeted the Craft," Josh Thompson, Casper Lodge #15
"The Morgan Affair," John Voodward, Riverton Lodg 26 and Sheridan Lodge #8
"Part 2: Lessons from the Masonic Response & What is Facism?" Josh Thompson, Casper Lodge #15
"The Mysterious #3 for Masons,' Clifford Spoonemore, PM, Secretary, Acacia Lodge #11, Southeast Sextant Lecturer
"Security in the Lodge," Juel Leuis, WM Rock Springs Lodge #12
"Deciphering Tubal Cain," Christopher Neubauer, WM, Casper Lodge #15, East Sextant Lecturer
In case you're interested, I don't know if tickets are still available this late. Contact the Grand Lodge of Wyoming office directly, as there is no online registration available.

Rogue French Freemasons On Trial for Bizarre Murder Plot

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Hodapp) — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 19:16:00 +0000

IMAGE: STEFAN GLERUM FOR M LE MAGAZINE DU MONDE

by Christopher Hodapp

There's a bizarre story blowing up across French and European media this week, and it has the potential of being a public relations nightmare for the entire fraternity the likes of which we haven't seen in decades. Newsfeeds everywhere are blaring headlines about Freemasons! Mafia! Murder plots! Not since the old P2 (Propaganda Due) story in Italy in the 1980s has there been a tale so convoluted, bizarre and seriously sinister involving a group of rogue Masons. And the press is having a field day with it.

Back in July of 2020, COVID lockdowns were going on in full force all over the world. Marie-Hélène Dini was a 60-year-old business coach living in the Paris suburbs when police knocked on her door and informed her that she had been the target of an attempted murder plot being hatched by 'The Freemasons.' What unfolded was a story so bizarre, so unbelievable, so downright goofy that she couldn't believe what she was hearing. It seemed like a creepy prank cooked by imbecilic teenagers with vivid imaginations. But as it turned out, this was no ridiculous gag.

Two armed men had just been arrested near Dini's home in possession of a stolen car, guns, knives, body armor, and a tracking device. The men claimed to police that they were on a secret mission for the French intelligence service (the Directorate-General for External Security, or DGSE) to kill the lady because she supposedly worked for the Mossad, Israel's crack secret service agency.

In reality, Dini had no connection to espionage, crime, or Israel—she ran employee coaching companies and had never even visited Israel. Police quickly ruled out the Spy vs. Spy aspect of the story, but the incident left her deeply traumatized. She installed alarms in her home, hired a bodyguard, and eventually moved away from Paris, describing the event as feeling like stumbling into a “mafia-style” world driven by power and money.

As the investigation unfolded, police uncovered a much, much larger criminal network.

Six years later, some twenty-two people between the ages of 30 and 73 are now standing trial at the Paris Court of Assize, between March 30 and July 17th. It is one of the largest criminal trials in French history. Few of the suspects have any sort of prior criminal record, and they come from wildly different backgrounds: four soldiers from the DGSE, three police officers, including a retired financial crime investigator, six business leaders, a building caretaker, an engineer, a medical biologist, a gunsmith, a sports coach, and a couple of gullible security guards. What appeared at first to be isolated incidents turned out to be part of a shockingly wide-ranging crime cell run by a core group of rogue Masonic lodge members who hired others to intimidate or eliminate rivals, debtors, or just annoying inconveniences.

And here's where this story REALLY goes off the rails. Many of the alleged criminals were discovered to be members of Athanor Lodge 759, located in the Puteaux neighborhood of the Hauts-de-Seine area, a residential suburb about five miles west of Paris. The area snuggles up next to La Défense, one of Europe's' busiest financial districts where you'll find some of the tallest buildings (and wildest architecture) in the Paris metropolitan area. Now the group is accused of organizing or carrying out a wide range of crimes. The most serious charges include aggravated violence, attempted extortion, and attempted murder in an organized gang—which all turned out to have been plotted for wildly trivial reasons.

At the center of the network are three key figures who belonged to Athanor Lodge: Frédéric Vaglio (53, a former journalist turned private security entrepreneur), Daniel Beaulieu (a 72-year-old retired DGSI intelligence officer working in economic intelligence), and Jean-Luc Bagur (69, a coaching industry executive and union leader). They allegedly used their connections to sub-contract “missions” ranging from beatings and intimidation to contract killings. Beaulieu admitted to investigators that Vaglio had ordered him to arrange the murder of Marie-Hélène Dini, pretending it was a secret intelligence mission against a Mossad agent. Beaulieu then passed the contract to Sébastien Leroy, a private security officer, who recruited the two young DGSE guards (Pierre Bourdin and Carl Esnault). The guards believed they were being recruited to carry out authorized homicide operations for French intelligence.

Investigators eventually connected a link to Bagur, 69, who was a rival business coach to Dini and the Venerable Maitre (Venerable Master, the French equivalent to Worshipful Master) of Athanor Lodge. But the alleged crimes went beyond the Dini case. From an article in the U.S. Sun Monday:

The leader of the hit squad, Leroy, told cops he or his associates carried out most of the assaults, robberies and murders for the Athanor mafia, including the 2018 killing of racing car driver Laurent Pasquali.

His body was found in a forest after he allegedly failed to pay a debt to one of Vaglio’s friends.

Crimes ordered by the organised crime group escalated with time, beginning as petty revenge attacks and escalating to homicide, according to the investigation.

One of the charges relating to industrial espionage alleged that Leroy’s gang assaulted a businesswoman in the street and snatched her computer.

In 2019, the car of one of Bagur’s associates was set on fire after she found evidence of financial fraud within his company.

Leroy, a security guard, told investigators he was under the impression he had been acting on behalf of the French government.

He claimed Beaulieu had “manipulated” him using the idea of him becoming an informant for the DGSI domestic spy agency.

Jean-William Vezinet, lawyer for the targeted business coach Dini, said his client had been “terrified” that “people who are supposed to act for the good of society” were the key figures in the crime.

It remains unclear what evidence the prosecution has gathered from their interviews with Beaulieu, the accused ringleader.

He allegedly made an attempt to commit suicide in police custody.

Participants later claimed they had been manipulated or believed the jobs were legitimate French intelligence operations. The defendants frequently accused one another of lying or exerting toxic influence, with Vaglio described as particularly charismatic and controlling. The case highlights how personal, professional, or financial grudges—sometimes trivial—escalated into extreme violence within a network blending Freemasonry, private security, and former intelligence operatives. Ultimately, they abused the privacy of the lodge and trust between brethren, violating their obligations, and twisting the honorable symbolism of Masonic secrecy into a criminal enterprise.

If convicted, Vaglio, Beaulieu, Bagur and Leroy are all facing life sentences, along with 19 co-defendants. And of course, the European press is stressing the Masonic part of the story.

There's an old joke that, if you lock three French Masons in a lodge room together, they'll start arguing and form six new grand lodges...

The French Masonic landscape is enormous, confusing, and difficult for regular, recognized Masons to keep track of. There are at least 15 or more grand lodge-like governing bodies in France, but only one that is recognized as regular by the greatest number of Masons the world over—the Grande Loge Nationale Française (GLNF)—and it's not even the largest obedience in that country (that would be the Grand Orient de France, or GOdF). Consequently, there's little chance of the press having a firm understanding of its details when it comes to tedious and arcane details of regularity, recognition, and Masonic legitimacy.

Athanor Lodge 759 was legitimately chartered by the Grande Loge de l'Alliance Maçonnique Française (the Grand Lodge of the French Masonic Alliance, or GL-AMF), which was created in its present form in 2012. At the time, that grand lodge was largely formed by some 15,000 disgruntled Masons who had split from the Grand Loge National Français (GLNF) over a massive internal power struggle involving then-GLNF Grand Master Stifani. (see HERE for beginnings of that long tale). The GLNF is the French grand lodge overwhelmingly recognized throughout the world as regular, and the 2012 incident was an enormous upheaval at the time. It took years for the dust to settle, and the GLNF was never able to return to its former size.

Understand that the GL-AMF today still has about 15,400 members in 684 lodges, and a strong argument can be made that they are perfectly regular in origin. In other words, it's not some small-time, bogus grand lodge masquerading as something it isn't. Like all regular, recognized grand lodge obediences, they admit only men, require a belief in God, and work accepted rituals. So, Athanor Lodge started out as a legit lodge of Freemasons. But like the old P2 lodge scandal with gangster/terrorist Licio Gelli in Italy back in the 1980s, it got twisted into someone's private hideout for criminals.

When these stories began to hit the news six years ago, I'm told that GL-AMF Grand Master Fred Picavet suspended the lodge and all of its members, including two of those currently indicted. Online chatter in France is that the lodge's Venerable Maitre, Jean-Luc Bagur, was suspended back in 2020, even before any of these stories came out, for non-payment of dues, and that he went right on running the lodge meetings, ignoring the order.

By early 2021, the main figures in the case turned against each other while in police custody. Daniel Beaulieu later suffered a serious head injury in prison (possibly from a suicide attempt) and now has memory problems—he may not be able to testify at his own trial. Marie-Hélène Dini survived her ordeal, battled cancer, and wrote a book about her experience titled It Was Not My Time, though she has struggled to find a publisher.

As can be imagined, the press in the U.K. is eating this story up with a spoon. It plays right into their ongoing paranoia over Freemasons in police departments that has been stoked for the last couple of months. And the Italians are attempting to brand the story as a 'Masonic mafia.'

Meanwhile, the upcoming long trial will attempt to untangle the truth from the many conflicting stories in this sprawling and often absurd criminal enterprise.

There's a certain tragic irony to be found in the name of Athanor Lodge. In medieval alchemy, an athanor was a sealed stove or furnace that gave off slow, constant heat. It was used to slowly transform and refine matter, to improve it beyond its original state. Sadly, the men who joined Athanor Lodge failed to let Freemasonry refine them, improve them as men.

Oh, they were transformed, all right. But not in the way Masonry tried to teach them.

Reba McEntire's Restaurant in Former Oklahoma Masonic Temple

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Hodapp) — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 20:53:00 +0000

by Christopher Hodapp

I always knew Reba McIntyre was a lady of great esteem.

Many years ago, back when the Earth cooled and dinosaurs ruled the world, I made TV commercials. One of our biggest clients was HH Gregg appliance stores, and some of our most enjoyable projects were for them. We made multiple (and VERY different) campaigns for them for many, many years.

One year, they decided to hire a celebrity spokesperson for a new campaign, and they chose country music superstar Reba McEntire to be on camera for a handful of TV spots. This meant that four times a year, Reba and her husband would fly to Indianapolis and we'd knock out the shooting in a day. What you saw on screen was the person you met behind the scenes; she was warm, funny, generous, and a pleasure to work with.

(That's me next to Reba during a location shoot, back when I weighed so much that I looked like three guys stuffed into a Chris Hodapp costume.)

What's the Masonic connection?

Photos: Reba's Place website

Turns out that Reba decided to go into the restaurant business several years ago and opened one in her birthplace, Atoka, Oklahoma, located about halfway between Tulsa and Dallas, and inside the Choctaw Nation reservation. Reba's Place is downtown in a building that began life over a century ago as a Masonic Temple, at the northeast corner of Court and Pennsylvania streets.

Opened in 2023 in collaboration with the Choctaw Nation, Reba's Place features two stories of dining areas, an antique bar, memorabilia from Reba’s personal archives, and a stage that hosts live music. The menu is full of Southern classics. The library is filled with her mom's books from when she was growing up ("Momma never threw away a single book," she explains. Sounds like a household I know.)

Reba rescuing the Masonic Hall was very big news locally. Sleepy Atoka was a dying little down, just off Oklahoma Highway 75. An estimated 3,000 tourists a year were coming through town back in 2022; in the first two months of 2023 after the restaurant opened, more than a half-million out of town guests came through, most of whom who wanted to visit Reba's Place.

Reba will be making a live appearance at the restaurant on April 9th with a VERY small-scale version of her usual big-stage show. It's a rare chance to see her VERY close up and performing in an extremely intimate setting, compared to the massive events she usually does. If you'll be near the area, CLICK HERE for details.

So what about the building?

Built in 1915, the Atoka Masonic hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was the long-time home of Ok-La-Ho-Ma Lodge No. 4, the oldest lodge in the state. (Atoka was also once the location of the Masonic Orphan's Home between 1908-1910.) I don't know when the lodge moved out, but the building was used as a hospice for a while.

Reba's and the old lodge are easy to spot - it's the only 3-story building in town, making it the most prominent place around. The Masons in 1915 wanted to make damned sure everyone knew they were there, and Freemasonry was THE fraternal group to belong to. Even with the new Reba's Place signage, a cornice plaque still proclaims 'Masonic Temple,' and there are still three small stone medallions depicting a square and compass and Royal Arch symbol over the second-floor windows.

While it's otherwise pretty plain looking outside, there were supposedly stained glass windows on the third floor, where I presume the actual meeting room was originally. Looking at construction photos of the restaurant, I see no Masonic symbolism of any kind left inside. The old hospice likely removed any of those years ago.

Just as a point of comparison, here is where the oldest lodge in Oklahoma meets today, about a mile and a half from the center of the town, where it once was central to the community.

Google Maps

One casually wonders if their steel pole barn will one day be placed on the National Register as "architecturally significant." Or if another future celebrity will snap it up because of its unique charm, character and commanding location.

"O!, but a lodge isn't a building, and a lodge can meet in a tent, and it's the INTERIOR, not the EXTERIOR that matters in Masonry, and there's great parking, and it's sure cheaper than maintaining some old place with a leaky roof, and..."

No, Chuck Norris Is Not A Freemason

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Hodapp) — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 03:00:00 +0000

by Christopher Hodapp

All weekend long Masonic groups and individual Masons on social media platforms have circulated images and text snippits that claim popular actor and martial arts champion Chuck Norris was a Freemason. One especially detailed image appears to come from the Grand Lodge of Texas paying tribute to the late Norris by falsely claiming he was a distinguished Texas Mason.

Norris died suddenly on Thursday after being hospitalized in Hawaii with a medical emergency. He was 86 years old.

It IS true that Norris was granted the title of Honorary Texas Ranger in 2010 by Texas governor Rick Perry after playing a Texas Ranger in the movie Lone Wolf McQuade. He went on to star as ranger Cordell Walker in the TV series Walker, Texas Ranger. In 2017, he was also made an "Honorary Texan" in part, because he owned a Texas ranch near Navasota.

But Chuck Norris was not himself a Mason, no matter what the Intertubz may have told you. Not a single lodge or grand lodge has legitimately acknowledged Norris' Masonic membership - traditional, honorary, or otherwise.

It IS true that Norris is described in many circles as a 'grand master' in the martial arts world, which is likely the source of confusion that set off this silliness in the first place. But that term has been around for a very long time, pre-dating modern Freemasonry, appearing in ancient craft guilds and medieval orders of knighthood. We Masons don't have a corner on the term.

'Solomon's Builders' Now Available As Audio Book

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Hodapp) — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:12:00 +0000

by Christopher Hodapp

To my surprise, my 2006 book, Solomon's Builders: Freemasons, Founding Fathers, and the Secrets of Washington D.C., has just been released as an unabridged audio book and is now available from Amazon/Audible for $18.18. Unfortunately for fans of audio books, there are many photos and illustrations in the print edition, so your enjoyment of Solomon's Builders may be less than ideal, unless you use it as a companion to the dead tree version. That's not me trying the old Chico Marx sales tactic, "One's no good - you gotta have the whole set." I'm just saying it's tough to contemplate the street plans of Washington DC or Sandusky, Ohio without actually seeing them.

Be aware that Solomon's Builders was written before novelist Dan Brown's hotly awaited Da Vinci Code sequel, The Lost Symbol, was released. Still, I actually enjoyed writing it more than any other book I've done. At the time, Dan Brown mania was in full force, and second-guessing his anticipated 'Masons in Washington DC' storyline was a cottage industry.

Shortly after Freemasons For Dummies was released in 2005, I received an obscene phone call from an editor at Ulysses Press who made me an offer few new authors can refuse: they wanted to pay me to write anything I wanted, as long as they could promote it as an unauthorized tie-in to Brown's sequel. I spent 10 days in Washington interviewing, researching, taking photos, and even getting threatened with arrest by the CIA in Reston. (Yes, really.) And, unlike the Dummies books with Wiley, Ulysses gave me little in the way of a deadline.

Brown's Masonic-themed The Lost Symbol finally came out in 2009, almost 9 years after his blockbuster DaVinci Code was released, and much of the speculation about his plot points that I made in my book turned out to be wrong. Brown – or his publisher – had leaked early on that his upcoming book was to be called The Solomon Key, hence my own title, which I ultimately liked, whether it tied in or not. But I wrote it in such a way that it was more of an overview of the Masonic backgrounds of the Founding Fathers and a Masonic guidebook to the city than the sort of "I'll bet he writes this" ripoff that so clogged up bookstore shelves at the time (usually with the word 'Code' in the title). Consequently, most of the book's content has withstood the lapse of time, and remains useful and informative.

BTW, as was done with Freemasons For Dummies several years ago, the publisher never asked me to narrate the recording - it's read by someone named Charles Constant, who does a fine job. I just wish an invitation had been extended to me, since I am an experienced voice-over artist who's recorded many commercials over the decades. I've encountered many Masons who have been disappointed when the recording wasn't me, but that's show-biz.

Just to clarify something else: Ulysses Press' owner called me the day the news services breathlessly reported that Brown had finally turned in his sequel's manuscript in 2009 and that they finally had a publication date. The owner wanted ANOTHER tie-in book written within six weeks after I actually read The Lost Symbol to update my previous guesses and explain the actual Masonic references Brown DID include in his new novel. That new book was released in January 2010 as Deciphering the Lost Symbol, and is still floating around out there.

Rise In Anti-Semitism May Bring More Anti-Masonic Attacks With It

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Hodapp) — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 20:46:00 +0000

by Christopher Hodapp

Weekend vandalism at the Oleeta-West Dade Masonic Center in Miami Springs, Florida, is a stark reminder that Masonic buildings—and the Brothers who gather in them—are increasingly becoming targets in today's volatile climate.

Late last week (Friday night into early Saturday morning), surveillance video captured a young man climbing onto a low roof ledge to reach and badly damage two exterior signs at the Masonic center. The footage, shared by WSVN-TV7, shows the suspect pulling himself up to get at the sign and twist one expensive sign off the wall. Damage has been estimated at around $3,000.

Thankfully, Miami Springs police acted quickly: 20-year-old Brian Guanche was charged with one count of burglary of an unoccupied dwelling and one count of criminal mischief. He's since bonded out, but the incident is under investigation.

This wasn't some random act of mischief—it's part of a troubling pattern. Over the last few years, there has been a noticeable uptick in violent attacks, arsons, and vandalism against Masonic buildings around the world, with more than a few tied directly to antisemitic motives. We've seen lodges targeted in places like Florida, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York, Connecticut, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and even Vancouver (where one arsonist hit three buildings in a single morning, causing millions in damage). Overseas, halls in Ireland and Greece have faced similar assaults, and doubtless there have been many more that simply have not hit the news services. Some perpetrators have acted out of bizarre delusions—like believing Masons placed curses on them or controlled minds—while others have been fueled by outright hatered.

That hate often bleeds over from the dramatic and alarming rise in anti-Semitism across the United States (and beyond) in recent months, especially since the outbreak of the war involving Iran. Unfortunately, Freemasonry is getting swept up in the crossfire. Our symbolism—drawing from ancient Jerusalem, King Solomon's Temple, and Old Testament imagery—has been twisted into anti-Jewish conspiracy theories since the 19th century. It doesn't help when historical figures like Pope Leo XIII, influenced by the admitted hoaxes of anti-Catholic prankster Léo Taxil in the 1880s-90s, lumped Masons in with phrases like "Synagogue of Satan" (originally from the New Testament letters, referring to persecutors of early Christians who falsely claimed Jewish identity). Leo clearly bought into the nonsense that a bunch of middle-aged Protestant gentlemen cosplaying as Old Testament figures in ritual were somehow undermining the Church. That old canard still echoes today.

And right now, it's getting amplified by noisy voices with big platforms. Candace Owens, who has somehow amassed nearly three million YouTube subscribers by peddling increasingly outrageous claims, has ramped up her attacks on Freemasonry. Owens (a recent convert to Catholicism) is a certifiable attention-seeker at this point, jumping on every fringe theory that drives clicks and eyeballs—whether it's moon landings, celebrity deaths tied to "sacrifices," or wild Masonic plots.

Similarly, Shawn Ryan has leaned into kookball anti-Masonic conspiracy content on his show, hosting guests who push debunked nonsense about "Masonic Bibles" and secret influences. Countless lesser imitators follow suit online.

I don't care where you fall on the political spectrum—left, right, or somewhere in the never-never land in between. Spreading this stuff is dangerous. My wife and I wrote a book on conspiracy theories years ago, and Owens is a textbook example of madness given a megaphone and free rein on the internet. There's no filter of responsibility anymore: anybody can launch a podcast, build a persona, and attract an audience of the credulous or the angry by using sensationalistic 'made you look' tactics. There are no qualifications required. People who swallow her brand of "research" don't just nod along—they act. We've already seen real-world consequences, including threats, violence, attacks on our buildings, and worse.

Texas Freemason Robert Wise was murdered outside of his lodge in 2023 precisely because of this delusional thinking. His killer told police that he shot Wise because Masons were "devil worshiping Illuminatists."

With geopolitical tensions boiling over and antisemitism surging, we have to be vigilant. Masonic temples aren't fortresses, but Brothers and lodge officers need to take practical steps: review security cameras, lighting, and alarms; coordinate with local law enforcement; avoid leaving valuables or regalia visible; and report suspicious activity immediately. Most of these incidents happen at night when buildings are empty, so proactive measures can make a real difference.

Freemasonry has endured worse for centuries, and we'll keep doing what we do—meeting in peace, practicing brotherly love and relief, and building better men. But ignoring the threats won't make them disappear. Stay aware, stay safe, and let's look out for one another.

If you're a Mason reading this, talk to your lodge about security. If you're not, but you value fair-minded institutions that promote charity and moral improvement, know that the same bigots targeting synagogues and Jewish communities are increasingly turning their gaze toward Masonic halls too.

Going, Going... St. Louis Scottish Rite Cathedral

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Hodapp) — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 20:51:00 +0000

by Christopher Hodapp

The historic Scottish Rite Cathedral in St. Louis at Lindell Blvd and Olive Street was just listed for sale for $25 million. The Greek-Classical Cathedral was designed by prominent St. Louis architect William B. Ittner and built between 1921-1924 for $3.17 million (roughly $200 million today).

Ironic, since the Scottish Rite Valley of St. Louis just celebrated its 100th anniversary with a building rededication a year and a half ago.

The Cathedral has a 3,000-seat auditorium/theater, dining facilities seating up to 2,000 with a commercial kitchen, meeting rooms, galleries, terrazzo floors, ornamental ironwork, and even fireplaces. Sadly, however, I suspect the Cathedral's most attractive feature to modern developers is its 558-space multi-level parking garage.

The Valley of St. Louis wants to relocate operations to the suburbs of St. Louis County to be closer to current membership — a trend other Masonic bodies in the area followed decades ago. The urban Center's location no longer aligns as well with where most members live. And the membership is substantially smaller than it was in the 1920s.

Once it's gone, I believe this will mean the Masons will have fled the downtown area completely. The Cathedral is quite literally right next door to the former home of St. Louis' most prosperous lodges, the 'New Masonic Temple' (that's what they called it), which sat on the market for many years. Parts of that mighty building were never finished due to the Great Depression, and the 14-story building included its own unfinished theater designed for 2,200 seats. At one point, the Temple was the home of former Grand Master Harry S Truman’s office.

St. Louis' 'New Masonic Temple' was sold in 2018.

The Temple was sold back in November of 2018 to St. Louis investor Bryan Hayden, known for developing luxury apartments and condos. Construction of the 'New Masonic Temple' began in 1924, the year after the Cathedral opened, and it was dedicated in 1926. More than 10,000 people attended its opening ceremonies back then, and these two gigantic monuments to the fraternity side by side made a formidable sight in the city.

Our forebears designed and created stately and magnificent temples because they wanted the world and their own members to know that great men had entered their doors, and that great things went on inside of them. Sadly, an abandoned temple is a symbol that the Masons who once inhabited it gave up.

Soon, there will be little left of a Masonic presence downtown in this great city on the Mississippi, apart from a stone monument erected in memory of Freemasons Meriwether Lewis and William Clark who departed here on their expedition of the Louisiana Purchase territory two centuries ago.

UPDATE: A Brother now informs me that the Lewis & Clark stone was removed to the suburbs, as well, several years ago...

All photos: Chris Hodapp

Indiana's Masonic Museum Gala Was Great Success!

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Hodapp) — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 07:28:00 +0000

by Christopher Hodapp

Our Night At the Museum Gala fundraiser in the Indianapolis Masonic Temple on Saturday night went off even better than we ever dreamed! We had a fantastic turnout- more than 160 people - touring the Temple and the Masonic Library & Museum of Indiana, and participating in our silent auction. In 27 years as a Mason, I’ve never seen so many people in the dining room before!

My heartfelt gratitude to everyone for coming out and generously supporting us. We have to pay all the bills, count all the donations, and make the final determinations, but I do know that the initial money taken in from the Gala's tickets and donations before expenses was close to $30,000! We had many startup costs that won't be needed in subsequent years, but this was an astonishing figure for a first-year attempt.

My deepest appreciation goes to Grand Master Randy Seipel for his inspiration and support. And it was an honor to have our city councilman Nick Roberts at our table as my guest. Thanks also to the brethren and their ladies from Broad Ripple Lodge 643 for their great support and such great turnout!

Alice Hodapp, Heather Steele, and especially Thea Emard Campbell did an incredible job, not just with the silent auction setup, but with the decor that brought class and elegance to the dining room it’s never had before. Our interns Lauren Frieje, Taylor Porter and Nathan Dowell were tremendous, helping to make the auction itself run so smoothly. WB Bill Sassman, the Indianapolis Masonic Temple's building superintendent, was of incredible help to us in the weeks running up to the event.WB Barry White handled much of the check in which went pretty smoothly, considering we were making it all up as we went along!

My deepest appreciation to Tom Fallis at the Indianapolis Scottish Rite Cathedral for recommending the string quartet from their orchestra, for providing the free parking, and for saying yes to anything else I asked for.

Our caterers, musicians, bartender, the rest of our committee - everyone did a fantastic job, and I owe all of you big time.

I also want to thank WISH-TV8 reporter Hernan Guttierez for interviewing Michael Brumback and I last week. (See the video HERE)

I have long believed that Masons would support efforts to support the Museum and our historic Temple if we simply asked them. For more than a quarter century, naysayers across the state have said, "Oh no, the membership outside of Indianapolis don't give a damn; they have their own buildings to worry about; they won't support this one, even if it is the headquarters of the Grand Lodge." They said it to me time after time. But the funny thing is that they never ASKED the members if they really felt that way. It was clear Saturday night that it simply isn't so.

Thanks again to everyone. We'll see you next year!

LAST CHANCE FOR TICKETS! A Night At Indianapolis' Masonic Library & Museum

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Hodapp) — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 04:43:00 +0000

This Saturday, March 7th, spend A Night at the Masonic Museum — and tickets MUST be purchased by 5:00 PM TOMORROW (Wednesday)! Don't miss your last shot at this unforgettable evening!

Peer behind the closed doors of the Masons and peek behind the scenes of the Masonic Library & Museum of Indiana after hours in the historic 1909 Indianapolis Masonic Temple for mystery, history, and pure fun:

Hosted by Grand Master Randy Seipel — this is your LAST CHANCE to spend an evening with the Grand Master himself!
Cocktail hour with drinks
Delicious prime rib dinner (chicken/pasta options too)
Guided tours, scavenger hunt, and access to incredible rooms like the Egyptian Room & Knights Templar Room

A special program presented by Christopher Hodapp, best-selling author of Freemasons For Dummies and president of the Masonic Library & Museum of Indiana

The SILENT AUCTION is chock full of incredible items you won't find anywhere else:

• 7 nights in a Tuscan villa
• 4 nights in an Irish castle
• Luxury stays in the Mayan Riviera & a private Great Smoky Mountains lodge
• A private tour of the Scottish Rite Cathedral + dinner with Grand Master Randy Seipel and his wife
• Rare Masonic treasures (aprons, rings, Templar swords, artisan pipes)
• Indianapolis 500 memorabilia signed by winners/drivers
• Autographed items from Brother Shaquille O’Neal & Brother Carl Erskine
• Vintage Disney watches, National Treasure shooting scripts, rare books (including Vatican Secret Archives), Old Masters and Robert Burns Scotch whisky, and much more!

100% of auction proceeds support the Museum and restoring and preserving this National Register landmark. Credit cards and checks accepted so don't go home empty handed!

THIS IS IT! — the clock is ticking! Grab your tickets NOW before they're gone forever:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-night-at-the-masonic-museum-tickets-1981830481319

See you Saturday for an evening of history, mystery, great food, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences!

Speaking at Greenville, Ohio Tomorrow Night

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Hodapp) — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 23:17:00 +0000

by Christopher Hodapp

I'll be speaking at Greenville Lodge 143 in Greenville, Ohio tomorrow night, Friday, February 27th. Dinner begins at 6PM and is $15. This close to the event, you should probably contact the lodge to be sure there's space available. Call 937-621-9320.

Greenville is about 35 miles northwest of Dayton on U.S. 36 and just east of the Indiana border. The lodge is located at 200 Memorial Drive in Greenville.

I'm looking forward to being there!

Breaking: GL of Mississippi Rejects Prince Hall Recognition

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Hodapp) — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 02:00:00 +0000

By Christopher Hodapp

Reports on Facebook tonight are that the assembled members of the Grand Lodge F&AM of Mississippi have voted against recognition of the Most Worshipful Stringer Grand Lodge F&AAM of Mississippi (Prince Hall Affiliated) at their annual communication in Flowood, MS.

The vote was 200 in favor, 617 against.

It's taken seven long years to get to this vote since the first contact between the two historically segregated grand lodges in 2019, and it has now failed by a substantial majority. The irony of the motto on their official seal is almost breathtaking.

The so-called "mainstream" state grand lodges of Mississippi and South Carolina are the last two remaining U.S. Masonic jurisdictions that have not voted in favor of some kind of Prince Hall recognition since Connecticut first achieved joint amity 36 years ago, in 1989.

Masonic Gavel Used By George Washington For Capitol Cornerstone At Tonight's State of the Union Address

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Hodapp) — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 23:30:00 +0000

Allyn Cox 1955 mural at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial

by Christopher Hodapp

President Donald Trump's State of the Union message is taking place tonight, and there will be an important Masonic artifact there for this special occasion.

The famous gavel used by George Washington at the Masonic cornerstone ceremony for the new U.S. Capitol building in 1793 will be displayed on the Speaker's podium in the House of Representatives tonight during the joint session of Congress.

Speaker Mike Johnson requested the gavel be present at the State of the Union address for the first time in history. The gavel is owned by Potomac Lodge No. 5 in Washington, DC.

The ceremony has been depicted several times by artists. The image at the top of this article was painted by Allyn Cox as a massive mural at the George Washington Masonic National Monument in Alexandria, Virginia. Installed in 1955, the mural underwent careful restoration in 2017. Cox also painted another version of the ceremony that is in the Cox Corridor of the U.S. Capitol.

From a press release on the Capitol History website:

Today, the U.S. Capitol Historical Society proudly announced that Speaker Mike Johnson will become the first House Speaker in history to display George Washington’s Gavel during the State of the Union Address to Congress. The historic Gavel was first used in 1793 to lay the cornerstone of the United States Capitol building: “The People’s House” and the physical manifestation of our democracy. Since that ceremony, the Gavel has been in the care of Potomac Lodge No. 5, the oldest Masonic Lodge in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Capitol Historical Society worked diligently with the Lodge and Speaker’s Office to enable the Gavel to rest on the rostrum during this year’s Address—marking the 250th anniversary of America’s founding.

“The U.S. Capitol Historical Society would like to thank Speaker Johnson and Potomac Lodge No. 5 for working with us to ensure the display of a historic treasure for this year’s historic Address,” said Roswell Encina, President & CEO of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society. “Complementing the State of the Union with George Washington’s Gavel beautifully reflects the importance of preserving and sharing the Capitol’s history; helping Americans connect with the people, places, and traditions that continue to shape our nation. A significant part of the Society’s mission is to bring Congress to the People. During America250, it is especially satisfying to have helped bring the People to Congress.”

In 1793, U.S. President and Master Mason, George Washington, laid the cornerstone of the United States Capitol Building. At the time, a growing schism between “Federalists” and “Republicans” threatened the American experiment in its infancy. Washington therefore lent his prestige to such events as the laying of the Capitol cornerstone to give credence to the new U.S. Government: established in 1789 after our Constitution was ratified.

Allyn Cox painting of the Masonic cornerstone ceremony in the Cox Corridor
of the U.S. Capitol.

On the morning of September 18, 1793, Washington and a procession of artillery and Masonic lodges crossed the Potomac River to the new Federal City. They did so, a newspaper reported, “with music playing, drums beating, colors flying, and spectators rejoicing.” At the Capitol site, Washington stepped into a dug trench, laid a silver plate onto the ground, and set the cornerstone atop it. He was accompanied by brethren who conducted a Masonic ritual with corn (a symbol of nourishment), wine (a symbol of refreshment), and oil (a symbol of joy). Witnesses then chanted and celebrated until night.

After the ceremony, Washington bestowed the Gavel to Valentine Reintzel, the head of Potomac Lodge No. 5, who assisted that day and cared for the artifact until his death. In the two centuries since, Potomac Lodge No. 5 has been the Gavel’s custodian, loaning it to other cornerstone ceremonies, including the Washington Monument, National Cathedral, and Smithsonian Institution.

<snip>

As Washington himself told Congress in his first State of the Union Address:

“Knowledge is in every Country the surest basis of public happiness…To the security of a free Constitution it contributes in various ways: By convincing those, who are entrusted with the public administration, that every valuable end of Government is best answered by the enlightened confidence of the people: And by teaching the people themselves…to discriminate the spirit of liberty from that of licentiousness, cherishing the first, avoiding the last, and uniting a speedy, but temperate vigilence against encroachments, with an inviolable respect to the laws.”

In addition to the gavel, another artifact from that same ceremony is owned by Virginia's Alexandria-Washington Lodge 22: a large silver trowel used to symbolically spread the cement of Brotherly Love.

A Night At The Masonic Museum in Indianapolis - March 7th

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Hodapp) — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 05:24:00 +0000

The Masonic Library & Museum of Indiana and the Grand Lodge Free & Accepted Masons of Indiana’s Grand Master Randolph L. Seipel cordially invite you to A Night at the Masonic Museum — a black-tie gala fundraising dinner, cocktail reception and silent auction on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the historic Indianapolis Masonic Temple, 525 N. Illinois Street, in downtown Indianapolis.

Every day, hundreds of people drive past the massive, windowless limestone building wondering at its purpose. It’s possible your father, grandfather, uncle, great-grandfather or other relative may have been a member of the Freemasons but you never knew what they were. Or they may be a complete mystery to you, calling to mind spooky images from History Channel shows.

A rare public opportunity to step inside one of Indianapolis’s most magnificent and enigmatic architectural landmarks. The evening will feature:

Tours of the Temple’s grand spaces and behind-the-scenes Museum areas (available pre-dinner and post-dinner)
Scavenger hunt in the Museum
Cocktail reception
Dinner (prime rib, with chicken or vegetarian pasta options)
Silent auction with rare Masonic books, antique artifacts, premium items, travel packages, and unique Indiana experiences
Program featuring Grand Master Randolph Seipel and best-selling author Christopher Hodapp (Freemasons For Dummies)

The Goal

The Temple’s prominent downtown location within the Mile Square was intended from the start to be a community resource. But decades of declining fraternal membership nationwide have led to deferred maintenance, creating urgent restoration needs. Proceeds from the March 7th gala will fund critical projects, including:

Elevator modernization (approximately $350,000 per elevator)
Auditorium restoration
Air conditioning/climate-control study and upgrades for the Museum, auditorium, and other public spaces
Major donors will be thanked on a new lobby donor wall.

This gala represents our next major step to raise funds while rekindling public awareness of the Museum and the Temple’s historic and cultural significance.

The gala is open to the public, and we hope you’ll join us! Individual tickets are $75 per person, $140 for couples, $550 for a full table of 8 (tickets are available now via Eventbrite): https://tinyurl.com/MLMIndiana . Doors will open at 5:00PM, with cocktails at 6:00PM, and dinner at 7:00PM, followed by the program.

The Temple

The 1909 neo-classical Temple was designed by Rubush & Hunter during the City Beautiful Movement and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has served as both Indiana’s Masonic headquarters and a vibrant cultural hub for the city. At its dedication, so many people turned out that the governor couldn’t reach the stage for his planned speech. During World War II, the Masons operated a USO-style Masonic Army-Navy Service Center supporting thousands of servicemen, and in the 1950s it hosted U.S. citizenship swearing-in ceremonies, exemplifying Freemasonry’s values of religious and political tolerance, brotherly love, charity, mutual assistance, civic pride, and democratic governance.

Since 1818, at least 29 of Indiana’s 50 governors have been Masons, along with sports figures, business and civic leaders, actors, musicians, authors, scholars, and more. Locally, Hoosiers like aviator Weir Cook, Vice President Thomas Marshall of Indiana, comedian Red Skelton, Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas, auto legend Harry Stutz, civic leader Bill Mays, former Mayor Bill Hudnut, shopping center developer Sidney Eskenazi, and current Senator Jim Banks have all been members of the Indiana fraternity.

In addition to the Library & Museum, Today, the Temple remains the headquarters for the Grand Lodge F&AM of Indiana, the state’s oldest men’s charitable fraternal organization. Highlights of the building include:

An impressive grand marble staircase
Seven ceremonial lodge meeting rooms
A banquet hall
The unique Egyptian-themed Red Cross lodge room
Indiana Freemasons Hall — a 1,100 seat auditorium that hosted plays, concerts, lectures, political debates, literary figures, and early Butler University theater performances.

The Library & Museum

The Museum preserves one of the top collections of Masonic objects and related rare books in the U.S. You’ll find Masonic artifacts from the White House and President Harry Truman, Masonic aprons from the early 1800s, and discover some of Indiana’s famous Masons. Displays dispel the many myths about the Freemasons; explain the mysterious symbols that appear in Masonic rituals; explore associated Masonic groups like Shriners, Scottish Rite, Order of the Eastern Star, and Knights Templar; and describe the unique history of Prince Hall’s formation of the first Masonic lodge for black men in America in 1776. The Museum serves as an educational resource for the public, members, and researchers, especially highlighting Freemasonry’s role in Indiana history. It is open to the public during weekly hours.

We hope you will be a part of this exciting event! For tickets, sponsorships, donations, or media inquiries, please contact us directly at the Masonic Library & Museum of Indiana.

Indiana's Circumpunct Lodge 777 Symposium: April 18th

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Hodapp) — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 05:16:00 +0000

by Christopher Hodapp

Indiana's Circumpunct Lodge No. 777 announces its Inaugural Symposium on Saturday, April 18th, 2026 in Indianapolis. This one day gathering of Masonic brethren dedicated to engage in the deeper philosophical, ritual, and esoteric dimensions of Freemasonry and its allied traditions.

Outline for the Day:

8:00 AM — Breakfast
8:15 AM — Optional: Guided Meditation

9:00 AM — Worthy Brother Jonah Butler - “Laboring in the Temple: The Middle Pillar of the Masonic Lodge”

In a Lodge of Masons, we are told of the specific Temple geographies of the three Ancient Craft Degrees (EA in Outer Courtyard, FC in Middle Chamber, MM in Sanctum Sanctorum) in which a Lodge of each Degree operates. This presentation seeks to provide a brief symbological overview of these Temple geographies and an argument for how these mental/spiritual venues can inform the particular labor of each Degree, both collectively and individually, and invite each Lodge to consider how this opens up new avenues for a Lodge's operation, ceremony, and education.

10:30 AM — Worshipful Brother Turner England - “The Discipline of Light”

The Discipline of Light explores the metaphor of Light in relation to preparation, gradual advancement, and sanctification before illumination is granted. You are invited to consider what it means to be in darkness before being brought to Light.

12:00 PM — Lunch

1:00 PM — Worshipful Brother Kevin Fuller -"Astrology and Freemasonry: The Masonic Lodge and the Astrological Chart"

This presentation will highlight some correspondences with the layout of the Masonic Lodge room and Astrological chart reading. It will go over the similarities in orientation, emphasize the likeness in the important stations, and offer a glimpse into the possibility of an Astrological allegory.

2:30 PM — Worthy Brother Nathan Norris - “Rosicrucian Atrium Convocation Ritual”

An Atrium Convocation is a formal contemplative gathering rooted in the Rosicrucian tradition. The space is symbolically oriented toward the East and prepared with traditional ritual elements. The convocation includes ceremonial light, sacred intonation, silent meditation, and a brief philosophical discourse, concluding with a communal affirmation.

4:00 PM — Panel Discussion: Featuring all speakers, with a moderator.
5:00 PM — Social Hour
6:00 PM — Festive Board

Each presentation is followed by a structured 40-minute interval.

Price is $99. CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Atlanta's Historic Prince Hall Temple Reopens After $14 Million Renovation

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Hodapp) — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 19:45:00 +0000

Photo: W.C. Thomas Lodge 112 Facebook Page

by Christopher Hodapp

The Atlanta Prince Hall Masonic Temple, a center of African American Freemasonry and civil rights history, just reopened on February 11th after a whopping $14 million renovation.

The Atlanta temple was built between 1937 and 1941 under the guidance of John Wesley Dobbs, a powerhouse civic leader who was basically the unofficial mayor of Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn neighborhood. Dobbs was elected Grand Master of the MW Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Georgia in 1932, and re-elected annually until his death in 1961. This place wasn't just a lodge hall; it was a buzzing hub for black enterprise and activism.

In its heyday, the building housed the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) starting in 1957—their very first headquarters. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had his only known office there, a windowless little spot where he plotted strategy and dreamed big. The National Parks Service has made the Temple part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, and, using photos of King's office as a guide, will eventually restore the room to appear as it did in the 1960s.

Upstairs, you'd find WERD-AM 860, the nation's first black-owned radio station, where DJs like "Jockey Jack" Gibson spun records and dropped civil rights updates. And there was Madam C.J. Walker's Beauty Shoppe—an enterprise of America's first self-made female millionaire (whose company was based in my own hometown of Indianapolis). During the 1960s, when segregation battles made safe gathering spots scarce, this temple was where black leaders could meet without looking over their shoulders. Legends say King even did radio interviews by dangling a phone out the window to the station below.

The restored ballroom

But like so many historic gems, the temple fell on hard times as Sweet Auburn faced disinvestment and urban decay. It landed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation's "11 Most Endangered Places" list back in the '90s, and by the 2010s, it needed serious attention. Enter a powerhouse partnership: The Trust for Public Land teamed up with the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Georgia, Invest Atlanta, the National Park Service, and generous donors like the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and the Georgia Pacific Foundation. Starting in 2022, they poured in the cash—$10 million for the core reno, plus a fresh $1.4 million grant from billionaire philanthropist Robert Smith to jazz it up with immersive exhibits.

A newly renovated social room for the lodges.
Photo: W.C. Thomas Lodge 112 Facebook Page

The result is a 16,000-square-foot space that's been lovingly restored to blend old-school charm with modern flair. They matched paint colors to vintage photos, reinstalled the iconic WERD sign, replaced its deteriorated green window frames, and restored the neon Prince Hall Masons sign out front to beckon visitors. The Masons get to keep the top floor for their meetings and events. The rest is now primed for public tours, education, and interpretation as part of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, which it officially joined in 2018. With over a million visitors flocking to the park each year, this addition is set to shine a light on the intertwined stories of Freemasonry, civil rights, and black community resilience.

Photo: W.C. Thomas Lodge 112 Facebook Page

At the ribbon-cutting, heavy hitters like Prince Hall Grand Master Primus James, Invest Atlanta CEO Dr. Eloisa Klementich. Atlanta historian Reverend Dr. Herman “Skip” Mason, Dr. Kevin James, President of Morris Brown College and Arthur Clement, who is one of PGM John Wesley Dobbs’ grandsons, were there. And Martin Luther King III and Park Superintendent Reggie Chapple both weighed in on why this matters. King III put it best: Preserving places like this helps "institutionalize the dream" of his parents and avoid repeating history's mistakes.

Speaking of history’s mistakes, in a world where historic Masonic buildings all too often get sold off, bulldozed for parking lots, or just ignored to death and left to crumble (I'm looking at you, way too many jurisdictions), it's refreshing to see one get the royal treatment it deserves occasionally.

If you're in Atlanta or planning a Masonic road trip, add this to your list. It's not just a building—it's a testament to how Freemasonry has been a quiet force for progress, especially in communities that needed it most.

Maybe it'll inspire a few more lodges to dust off their own histories before we let them fade away.

(Thanks to Br. Dave Gillarm at the Prince Hall Think Tank podcast for alerting me on this story.)

BREAKING: GL of Arkansas Recognizes Arkansas Prince Hall

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Hodapp) — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 23:42:00 +0000

by Christopher Hodapp

The Old Fashion Masonic Podcast is reporting on its Facebook page tonight that the Grand Lodge F&AM of Arkansas has just voted in favor of recognizing the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Arkansas.

The vote was 79% Yay / 21% Nay

As of today, only the Grand Lodges of South Carolina and Mississippi are the last two remaining US jurisdictions that have not achieved some form of Prince Hall recognition. However, the Grand Lodge of Mississippi reportedly has the question on its annual meeting's agenda later this month.

For clarification, the GL of Louisiana has recognized the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Maryland, and the GL of West Virginia has recognized the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Kentucky.

This story will be updated.

Speaking at Greenville Lodge 143 in Ohio on 2/27

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Hodapp) — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 22:15:00 +0000

by Christopher Hodapp

I'll be speaking at Greenville Lodge 143 in Greenville, Ohio on Friday, February 27th. Dinner begins at 6PM and is $15.

Greenville is about 35 miles northwest of Dayton on U.S. 36 and just east of the Indiana border.

I'm looking forward to being there!

Oh! The Weather Outside Is Frightful...

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Hodapp) — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 04:55:00 +0000

by Christopher Hodapp

Apologies for the long delay between posts. Alice and I drove to Tampa, Florida for the world's largest RV Show (don't envy us - it was 21° at night). The trip was cut short as we dragged the Airstream at breakneck speed back to Indianapolis just ahead of the major snowfall.

After making a stupid mistake at the campsite outside of Chattanooga, I wrenched the hitch jack into a corkscrew, which kept me from uncoupling the truck from the trailer. So, when we arrived home, it was already snowing. We downloaded the thing in record time and I was out installing a new jack at 2AM in the miserable stuff just so I could get it into storage. By Sunday morning, we had about 8 inches of partly cloudy to shovel out.

To make matters worse, our furnace went out while we were gone, and the temps in the house dropped to 48° for two days before a repair guy could get through the snow-packed roads. Good times!

English Freemasons Seek Injunction Against London Police Reporting Rule

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Hodapp) — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 13:35:00 +0000

by Christopher Hodapp

The United Grand Lodge of England in cooperation with the two primary English female Masonic grand lodges have filed for an injunction against the London Metropolitan Police over its new requirement that the MET's Freemason police officers report their private membership to their superiors.

Since December 11th, the MET have required that London city police officers declare their membership in the Freemasons, claiming that "involvement in these types of organizations could call impartiality into question or give rise to conflict of loyalties."

The only other groups required to declare themselves to the MET's administration are people with criminal convictions, those who have been dismissed from policing, and lawful professions such as private investigation or journalism. Grouping the Masons with criminals and dismissed officers brands members of the fraternity as being somehow nefarious. Yet, after more than 40 years of anti-Masonic paranoia swirling around UK police, there has never been any proof of Masonic police officers acting improperly as a group.

That England's Freemasons are the second largest charitable group in that country who contribute millions of pounds each year to their communities is immaterial to the MET's leadership.

From the UGLE First Rising newsletter on Sunday:

The United Grand Lodge of England (“UGLE”), also acting on behalf of The Order of Women Freemasons and the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons (all of which together represent Freemasonry in England, Wales, The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands), announces that it has commenced proceedings against the Metropolitan Police (the “Met”) seeking an injunction requiring the Met to suspend application of its new policy requiring police officers and staff to disclose whether they are, or have been Freemasons.

The new Met policy was announced on 11 December 2025. On 16 December, UGLE wrote to the Met seeking a judicial review of the decision unless its implementation was suspended immediately to allow a full consultation on the policy. The Met has now agreed to full consultation but is not willing to suspend the policy’s introduction. The injunction therefore seeks suspension of the policy pending the outcome of the judicial review.

UGLE has made clear its opposition to the Met regarding any intended action to introduce a reporting requirement that has the potential to undermine public credibility of male and female Freemasons, or that could impact negatively on its members, or the contribution that they make to society. It believes that mandatory declaration breaches the fundamental rights of the organisations and their members and is also in breach of the Equality Act 2010 and UK GDPR.

Commenting today Adrian Marsh, Grand Secretary of UGLE, said:
“There is a contradiction between the Met acceptance of our request for fuller consultation, which we welcome, but then refusing to suspend the decision pending the outcome of that consultation. To date the consultation process has been wholly inadequate, prejudicial and unjust and this injunction is the first step we must resort to, to protect our members whose integrity is impugned by the Met decision.”

Previous attempts by English police departments in the 1990s and early 2000s to force Masonic officers to disclose their memberships have been struck down in courts as being prejudicial and discriminatory, and the European Court of Human Rights declared such previous laws in both England and Italy to be in violation of rights to free association. Forcing officers to declare their Masonic membership will open the floodgates to criminals claiming Masonic influence in their cases, disgruntled fellow employees passed over for promotions, claims of favoritism and other dodgy behavior. This in spite of the fact that all Masons are sworn to uphold the laws of their own lands and to not countenance unlawful behavior. Declaring their Masonic membership invites anti-Masonic paranoia, revenge and false accusations, placing their jobs at risk.

Meanwhile, the press accounts of this dispute between the MET and the UGLE have gone out of their way to mention false allegations of purported Masonic involvement in decades-old police corruption investigations in almost every story published in the last few weeks. Note this headline in the Independent today, clearly trying to associate FREEMASONS! with AXE MURDERERS! before the article even begins:

(For a recap of the historical anti-Masonic claims, conspiracies and paranoia regarding English police departments over the decades, see https://freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com/2025/09/london-police-league-is-hunting-masons.html )

Georgia's Solomon Lodge No. 1 Selling Their Historic Home

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Hodapp) — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 17:34:00 +0000

Photo: Chris Hodapp

by Christopher Hodapp

It was with great sadness I read this week that the landmark Cotton Exchange in downtown Savannah, Georgia is up for sale. Since 1976, it’s been the historic home of the equally historic Solomon’s Lodge No. 1, the oldest operating lodge in the state of Georgia, founded in 1734. Or as they say in their own history, “the oldest continuously operating English constituted lodge in the Western Hemisphere.”

Photo: Chris Hodapp

The Old Savannah Cotton Exchange was designed by the Boston architect William Gibbons Preston (1844-1910), and completed in 1886. It’s now on the market for $10 million, and it’s likely to fetch that eye-popping pile of pelf, as it sits on the waterfront in Savannah’s most historic (and tourist-packed) area of an already very historic town.

The Savannah Morning News site had an extensive series of interior photos of the building and lodge room last Sunday, taken by photographer Richard Burkhart. Most residents in the area have never been inside of the old Cotton Exchange, much less a Masonic Lodge, so it’s been drawing a big crowd of curious readers eager to have a peek. Click images below to enlarge.

Past Master Jeremy Norton is quoted as saying their dwindling membership, combined with several "unfortunate incidents" has made the aging landmark too much of a financial burden for the lodge to handle, a familiar story that plays out with lodges all around the world every day. (I do know that a car crashed into the facade of the building back in 2008.) Listing agent David Mopper says potential buyers have already been lining up, as a potential restaurant, wedding venue, or private club.

Yes, I realize that a lodge is not its building. Yes, I realize that a lodge can meet in a tent and doesn’t need some lavish old temple whose leaky roof and bad plumbing bleeds the treasury dry. Yes, I very much realize that the upkeep of an aging building - especially one that’s a historic landmark - is more often than not a fatiguing financial burden.

I don’t know the particulars as to why they’re moving, but I'm sure there's a clot of brethren in the lodge and around the state who are extremely unhappy about this development. No matter where Solomon’s Lodge moves, it can never equal what they have in their current location. You can’t buy the kind of heritage they are giving up, at any price.

In 1934, the lodge celebrated its 200th anniversary. To mark that event, Bro. Lafayette McLaws, Past Master of Solomon's Lodge, spoke some incredibly profound words. He said,

“Age itself does not call for veneration, antiquity alone does not merit adoration, the passage of time is not the test of fame; a million years does not give glory to a worthless cause, nor sanctify an unholy name. It is the use of time, the purpose of the origin, the beauty woven in the design, the service written in the plan that builds monuments and creates hallowed shrines. I revere Solomon's not for its age, but for its progress, for the service that it has rendered mankind, for its uplifting influence in the political upheavals; for two centuries of activity in the interest of free thought, free speech and free conscience; for the continuity of its opposition to mental tyranny; its championship of human liberty. I commemorate the founding of Solomon's Lodge because it gave to the new Colony of Georgia, the institution of Masonry."
There is great wisdom in those nuggets of gold spoken by Bro. McLaws. On the one hand, the importance of Solomon’s Lodge is what it has accomplished since its founding in 1734, and, after all, its current home has only been their meeting place for 50 years. On the other hand, architectural treasures like the Old Cotton Exchange have incredible beauty woven in their design. And, given its prominence in Savannah's historic boardwalk area, it has been a standing billboard for Freemasonry for half a century, a magnificent beacon for all of us that says, “the Masons are here, and we are a vital piece of the fabric that makes our community.” Hundreds - and sometimes, thousands - of people walk past its historic marker and facade every single day.

I don’t know what Solomon's Lodge's plans are, but I pray they find an equally important and visible new location, and that they not settle for an anonymous steel pole barn in a bean field. (I will go out on a limb and speculate that they might move to the Savannah Valley of the Scottish Rite's new center, three miles from downtown, in an office park. Just a guess.) While the Masons of Savannah didn't build this particular edifice themselves, the fraternity gives up our most treasured temples to our collective detriment. Every high-visibility temple that gets sold off means we slip farther and farther off of society's radar screen and disappear from the collective consciousness of the community. And we rob our members of a heritage no lodge can reclaim when it just gives up.

Our forefathers built or bought these priceless temples with the sweat of their brow, with money most of them desperately needed for themselves, because they believed in shouting about their fraternity to the world outside. (It took Savannah's Masons more than thirty years to complete their first historic Scottish Rite Temple as they raised money and slowly erected it.) They didn't ask us to be greater than they were, or to even build bigger or better than they did. They just asked us to protect what they did for us.

Scottish Rite Valley of Savannah's new building (Photo: Google)

Inspiration was important to Freemasons up until the late 20th century. What will Masonic architecture of today inspire the next generations to say when you and I are gone?

"Great parking!"

And are Masons really going to continue to accept mediocrity and bland steel toolshed temples under the lazy excuse that "a lodge is not a building?"

Where be our Dreamers now?

UGLE and Female Masons Take Legal Action Against London Police

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Hodapp) — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 09:13:00 +0000

by Christopher Hodapp

The United Grand Lodge of England, Order of Women Freemasons, and Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons have collectively decided to launch legal action against the Metropolitan Police to address what they consider to be an unlawful, discriminatory, and unfair move in requiring all officers to declare their private Masonic membership, whether past or present. (These developments were reported HERE and HERE last week.) They have just filed a request for judicial review in the High Court.

The following statement from UGLE, OWF & HFAF has been shared with the media and was circulated very early this morning (Eastern Time). They have also issued a companion video explaining their objections (click above for YouTube):

FREEMASONS LAUNCH LEGAL ACTION
AGAINST METROPOLITAN POLICE

The United Grand Lodge of England (“UGLE”), also acting on behalf of The Order of Women Freemasons and the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons (all of which together represent Freemasonry in England, Wales, The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands) announces that it has sent a letter before claim in respect of judicial review proceedings against the Metropolitan Police (the “Met”) in response to the Met’s announcement on 11 December 2025 that it has added Freemasonry to its list of declarable associations.

The result of the Met’s new decision is that police officers and police staff who are, or have been, Freemasons will be compelled to inform the Met of their membership and that this will now be a mandatory declaration in its vetting procedures.

While acknowledging recent concerns over police vetting procedures, UGLE considers this decision to be unlawful, unfair and discriminatory against Freemasons, and considers the consultation process which has been followed by the Met to be wholly inadequate, prejudicial and unjust.

UGLE has made clear its concerns to the Met regarding any intended action to introduce a reporting requirement that has the potential to undermine public credibility of male and female Freemasons, or that could impact negatively on its members, or the contribution that they make to society. It believes that mandatory declaration breaches the fundamental rights of the organisations and their members and is also in breach of the Equality Act 2010 and UK GDPR.

Accordingly, UGLE has written to the Met setting out its intention to seek a judicial review of the decision unless its implementation is suspended immediately.

Commenting on behalf of the United Grand Lodge of England, the Order of Women Freemasons and the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons, Adrian Marsh, Grand Secretary of UGLE, said:
“Freemasonry has the highest moral and ethical standards – standards that have been a cornerstone of its identity since the earliest days of organised Freemasonry over 300 years ago. Our members embody our core values of integrity, friendship, respect and service – and this can be seen across London, the rest of the country, through tireless work within our communities to help those in need. Within individual Lodges, we enjoy the timeless traditions that make our organisation unique around the globe.

The decision by the Metropolitan Police casts an aura of mistrust over the entire Freemason community. Given the obvious, detrimental impact on our members, United Grand Lodge of England, Order of Women Freemasons and Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons consider that we now have no choice but to take legal action to challenge this unlawful decision.

We do not take this decision lightly but feel that we are left with no other options, in order to defend the rights of those in our membership, both male and female, present and past, that serve the people of London loyally in any capacity under the banner of the Metropolitan Police.”
Openness of UGLE and Freemasonry

United Grand Lodge of England, Order of Women Freemasons and Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons are aware of misconceptions regarding Freemasonry stretching back over a number of decades. In response to this, over the last 30 years, UGLE has carried out significant work to address these misconceptions, bringing public perceptions up to date through increased openness and disclosure about its values and its work in society and for charity.

The success of this work has been borne out by its increased popularity in recent years, especially in attracting younger members, and the number of visitors we have each day to our building in Covent Garden.

The consultation process followed by the Met

Since the consultation was published on the Met website on 29 September 2025 under the title, “Consultation on Freemasonry becoming a declarable association”, UGLE has sought to communicate its position to the Met during two in-person meetings with Commander Simon Messinger and in correspondence with the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Mark Rowley. UGLE considers the level of engagement from the Met and the limited justification it has put forward for the decision to be wholly inadequate.

UGLE has made it clear throughout that it has been willing to engage with the consultation, but it was never given the information to enable it to do so meaningfully and fairly.

UGLE is, therefore, extremely disappointed that the Met has reached this decision without a fair consultation process, or any direct engagement with it, or proper notice, on the reasons for this decision. The Met’s failure properly to consult and to publish this new requirement with immediate effect is particularly troubling in circumstances where the Met had agreed to consult fully prior to making any decision and when such a decision affects the regard in which Freemasons are held. It is likewise highly unusual that the Met would not consider any alternative solutions in the knowledge that expensive legal action must follow.

Public statements from the Met since 11 December 2025

In its statement released on 11 December 2025, the Met referred to the reporting requirement being introduced for “hierarchical organisations that require members to support and protect each other” and so being added to the Met’s declarable associations policy. In that statement, the Met also stated that it had discussed the change in policy with UGLE.

UGLE considers these statements to be misleading:

On the Met statement that Freemasons are, “required to support and protect each other” the Met has omitted the true nature of this obligation which is importantly qualified in Freemasonry, where it is primarily a moral one, and the level of support is expected to be within one's ability and without detriment to one's own family or one's duty to the law of the land. Without this explanation, the phrase used by the Met is misleading and capable of misinterpretation. Furthermore, it disregards similar commitments made in most religions, albeit without the same additional aspect of respecting the law of the land.
On the Met statement that “Senior officers have discussed the results of the staff consultation and our decision with the United Grand Lodge of England, which is the headquarters of Freemasonry in England and Wales, as well as the Police Federation and other representative bodies”, the Met implies that effective consultation has taken place. This is not the case.

Regarding the stated evidence base for the decision:

The Met has provided inconsistent and insufficient data - the Met says a survey sent to all c.40.000 Metropolitan Police officers and staff, but completed by less than 5% of them, is enough to justify this move. Meanwhile, the Met subsequently claimed in a radio interview on LBC with Sir Mark Rowley that two-thirds of members supported the change. This statement was not included in the Met statement of 11 December 2025.
The Met says that internal intelligence has made this move necessary; however, this intelligence is not public and should be to enable proper public scrutiny.
The Met says that female police officers and staff have welcomed this announcement - although there is no evidence to support this statement and no explanation being provided for the reasoning behind the decision to the thousands of female Freemasons across the country.

UGLE also believes that the use of the description, “hierarchical associations” by the Met is intended to imply a broad constituency of potentially declarable associations, while the real focus of the new policy is on Freemasons alone, and that the description used is, therefore, disingenuous.

Further, the Met states that it is addressing longstanding concerns over secrecy of any members’ organisation. However, Freemasonry is not a secret organisation, being similar to many organisations where membership is private and regulated under the GDPR legislation. Indeed, unlike most other private organizations, UGLE publishes a list of its c.4,000 most senior members, which is available for purchase from the Shop at Freemasons’ Hall, which is open to the general public daily.

Action to be taken by UGLE

In the light of the legal position, the failure of the Met consultation process, and in order to prevent damage to members, UGLE (also acting on behalf of The Order of Women Freemasons and the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons) intends to seek a judicial review of the decision in the High Court and has sent a “letter before claim” to the Met outlining the action it intends to take.

Statement from the Metropolitan Police Federation

UGLE notes the statement made by the Metropolitan Police Federation (“MPF”) on 11 December 2025 that, “forcing police officers to declare their membership in the Freemasons could violate their human rights and is an “unnecessary and wrong” policy. The MPF also questioned the timing and enforceability of the new policy, highlighting that the issue had been debated over decades.

UGLE also notes that the intention to introduce any reporting requirement in the past had always been ruled unlawful.

Fire Destroys Greenville, Maine Masonic Temple

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Hodapp) — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 16:00:00 +0000

by Christopher Hodapp

A fire destroyed the historic Masonic Temple in Greenville, Maine on Monday. According to news accounts, firefighters were called to the scene at 149 Pritham Avenue in Greenville at 1:00AM Monday morning after the fire was raging.

Arson or other foul play is not suspected at this time. Investigators early Tuesday say the fire originated in the basement kitchen, but the damage is so severe, the precise cause of the blaze may never be determined.

The once beautiful Greenville Temple was built in 1929, financed by local merchant Arthur Crafts. It has been the home of Columbia-Doric Lodge 149 and was considered one of the town's major landmarks. There's no word yet as to where the lodge may be meeting temporarily until decisions can be made as to its future location.

According to multiple reports, fire crews from four nearby towns attempted to battle the blaze, but freezing temperatures froze up trucks and other equipment. Crews attempting to battle the blaze inside were forced out as large pieces of slate caved in the burning roof.

The interior has been gutted, but the brick exterior walls are still standing. A report from WABI-TV 5 says the building hasn't yet been declared a complete loss, but inspectors will have to determine the structural integrity of what's left outside before a decision to rebuild can even be considered.

I haven't been able to find any decent images of the lodge's interior, nor have I found their social media or web pages. If anyone can provide those, I'll be happy to update this post.