Month: December 2016

In addition to the symbolism attached to architectural tools, Freemasonry is built upon stories and legends. And, no story is more intriguing than the one about the “traveling man” – the stonemason who traveled from work site to work site in search of a job. We have little direct evidence of how traveling stonemasons did this, but it remains an important part of the lore of Freemasonry.

According to our traditional history, when a building was completed, and stonemasons were released from their duties, they would scatter in different directions looking for work. Upon their arrival at a new work site, the master stonemason in charge would test them to determine if they were really who they claimed to be. One test asked them to recite part of the legendary history of the craft – the Old Charges. Another required them to give the proper passwords and grips. The final test was to ask them for the “mason word.” The mysterious “mason word” was proof that they were, indeed, members of the guild of stonemasons, for it was the most carefully guarded of all the secrets. It was so secret that it was only given in a way and a manner known to fellow masons, and then only in a whisper – “mouth to ear.”

Contemporary Masonic historians have searched for evidence of this colorful story in the old records of the craft, but have come up empty handed. Perhaps these “traveling masons” were so careful with their means of proving who they really were that no evidence has survived to prove the accuracy of this old story. Or, perhaps the evidence has been under our noses all the time, but we have not been looking in the right place.

The “right place” to look may not have been in England, Scotland, or Ireland – the homeland of speculative Freemasonry as we know it – but in France. France has preserved an organization similar to Freemasonry called the “Compagnonnage.” The French title of those who belong to it is “Compagnons du Tour de France.” Today the “Tour de France” is a famous bicycle race, but the race was named for a much older institution, a “Tour de France” associated with stonemasons in the Middle Ages. When a journeyman stonemason (a fellow of the craft, as we would call him) wanted to become a master stonemason, he would leave home and go “on tour.” The tour – the “Tour de France” – would take him to many towns around the country where he would work for different master stonemasons to prove his skill. It was as if he were having his “card punched” by other skilled workmen, who would certify that he, indeed, proved his worth to achieve the rank of “master stonemason.”

 

On September 16, 2016, the fraternity celebrated the institution of Regius University, U.D. in Fresno. This was followed by the institution of Benicia’s Carquinez Lodge, U.D., on September 23, and that of The Downtown Masonic Lodge, U.D. in Los Angeles on September 30. Between 75 and 100 brothers attended each celebration.

It’s the beginning of an unprecedented expansion for the Grand Lodge of California. For the first time since 1958, eight new lodges will be created in a single year. According to Director of Member Services and Lodge Development Jordan T. Yelinek, this change is the beginning of a statewide effort – one that seeks to help members create and enjoy an even more meaningful Masonic experience.

“People are often afraid that if a new lodge forms, existing lodges will lose members. But the reality is that although the average size of a lodge in North America is around 170 members, the attendance is roughly 30 members or less. As lodges expand, it becomes difficult for leaders to provide sufficient ‘meaningful work’ for large groups of members, and it can be difficult for everyone to feel as though they have a true connection with their brothers in the lodge. Most lodges don’t have 100 plus active members.”

This is where, explains Yelinek, new lodges come in. “If a lodge isn’t filling someone’s membership experience, they can, in essence, create their own member experience by developing a new lodge. This doesn’t mean that the original lodge is ‘broken’ – or subpar – but that some people might have different expectations for their membership. We want to create a system whereby lodges can operate separately but lean on each other to share strengths and fellowship opportunities for mutually beneficial events and celebrations.”

Part of this “leaning in,” Yelinek explains, is the ability to share spaces. That’s what’s taking place in Benicia, where the newly instituted Carquinez Lodge, U.D. will share a lodge hall with Benicia Lodge, which is scheduled to be instituted on October 20. Both lodges will meet in the historic Benicia Lodge. Built in 1850, it is the oldest Masonic Hall in California and one of the state’s oldest buildings. In advance of the two institutions, it was completely remodeled with refinished floors, new furniture, display cases with interesting artifacts, and more. “We didn’t build our lodges as mausoleums,” says Yelinek. Combining multiple lodges in one building helps ensure that they are full of life.”

Interested in attending an institution near you? Upcoming ceremonies include:

• Benicia Lodge – Thursday, Oct. 20 in Benicia
• Aquila Lodge – Sunday, Oct. 23, Roseville
• Sempervirens Lodge and Logos Lodge – Monday, Oct. 24 – San Francisco

To learn more about creating a new lodge, contact Jordan Yelinek. Read more about new lodge development throughout California in the August/September issue of California Freemason.

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