What is a Lodge?
Lodges are the basic, and the oldest, organizations in Freemasonry. The term “Lodge” comes from the structures, which the stonemasons built against the sides of the cathedrals during construction. In winter, when building had to stop, Masons lived in these Lodges and worked at carving stone. Today, a Lodge is a local organization of Masons. It is a group of Masons in one area that meet together, and it is also the physical building, or a room in which they meet. A Grand Lodge is the administrative body in charge of Masonry in specific geographical areas. In the continental United States, there is a Grand Lodge in each State, and one in the District of Columbia. What takes place in our lodges is partly the formal business that any association conducts. There is the consideration of minutes of previous meetings, dealings with petitions for membership, reviewing accounts of general and charitable funds, subscriptions, donations, and planning for new activities and endeavors.
The word “lodge” means both a group of Masons meeting in some place and the room or building in which they meet. Masonic buildings are also sometimes called “temples” because much of the symbolism Masonry uses to teach its lessons comes from the building of King Solomon’s Temple in the Holy Land. The term “lodge” itself comes from the structures which the stonemasons built against the sides of the cathedrals during construction. In winter, when building had to stop, they lived in these lodges and worked at carving stone. While there is some variation in detail from state to state and country to country, lodge rooms today are set up similar to the diagram on the following page. Like many artisans today, stonemasons centuries ago wore leather aprons to carry their tools and to protect themselves from flying chips of stone. This custom was adopted by the men who became Freemasons. Thus, modern Masons wear a lambskin or cloth apron, sometimes elaborately decorated or embroidered, to show t
