Joining St Laurence Lodge
St Laurence Lodge was founded in 1935. The Founders were a mixed bunch. Some worked in the City, some were local tradesmen, one was Rector of St Laurence Church, one was a publican and one was a lighterman on the Thames. Today’s membership is just as mixed. We have Brethren in the building trades, an accountant, a master mariner, an author, a master baker, a civil servant, an arboriculturalist, people in IT and so on. Our ages range from about 22 to 86. Whatever we are, we are equal as Brothers. External rank and fortune is of no importance to us or any other freemasons.
We welcome new members so please browse the site, have a look at the questions and answers below and if you feel you would like to become a freemason and join our Lodge or find out more about it please contact the Secretary. He will be very happy to answer your questions and provide you with further information.
What do we get out of Freemasonry?
What do we do?
What about politics and religion?
Who are we looking for?
What about charity?
What does it cost?
What is the time commitment?
What about the bad press?
Do we have secrets?
How do people join?
What do we get out of Freemasonry?
If you asked St Laurence Brethren what they get out of membership, they might say many different things. However, most would point to fellowship and mutual support, a feeling of doing the right things, a sense of continuity with the past and future, the satisfaction of ritual well performed, perhaps an enjoyment of the theatrical aspects, a great deal of laughter, a few drinks, a good meal and something not easy to put into words. While many of the Brethren might be a little embarrassed to say it out loud, what we really gain is a feeling of something beyond oneself, something that lifts one onto a higher plane, that makes one want to live up to the ideals of Freemasonry.
In our meetings, we practise age old ‘ritual’. This is a matter of learning and ‘performing’ stories based upon the allegory of the building of the Temple at Jerusalem. Our ceremonies are designed to teach and remind us of important truths about our relationship to each other and to the world at large. It is a form of teaching that pre-dates books which has been going on in Masonry for many centuries and is enjoyed by freemasons throughout the world.
What about politics and religion?
We never discuss politics or religion in the Lodge. Neither of these has any place in Freemasonry. However, you must have a belief in a “Supreme Being” and you must promise never to propose or countenance “any act which may have a tendency to subvert the peace and good order of society”. That is as far as it goes.
We need decent, trustworthy men, over the age of 21, who are willing to get involved, able to afford the dues and the charitable donations and who have a belief in a ‘Supreme Being’. This belief, although a prerequisite of becoming a Freemason, is entirely the affair of each individual – and nothing to do with us. As mentioned above, we never discuss religion or politics in the Lodge. A Brother’s creed, colour, race, religion or sexual preference is not important to us. Freemasonry is open to all and so is St Laurence Lodge.
Freemasonry is second only to the National Lottery in charitable giving and 50% of freemasons’ donations are directed towards non-Masonic charities.
Our dues are currently £180 a year which includes four dinners with wine. You will probably give about the same again to charity but the exact amount is entirely up to the individual and is a private matter between you and the charity steward. You will spend a bit on regalia but not normally in the first year and even then we can probably find you a used set.
It really does largely depend on you. We currently have four meetings a year but if you want to progress towards becoming master of the Lodge, you will want to attend many of our instruction evenings which take place weekly from September to May. These are by no means mandatory but they do enable you to learn and practise the ritual in a friendly environment while getting to know your fellow freemasons.
Attacks on Freemasonry commenced in 1693. None have any substance. We’d be happy to chat to you about them or answer other questions you may have about freemasons and Freemasonry.
Yes. There are indeed some ‘secrets’ in Freemasonry which have ancient roots; and while they mean little in themselves, they are important to us. The ability to keep a secret is considered a virtue.
You will need a proposer and a seconder. If you don’t know us we will arrange for two brethren to make contact and get to know you. If by mutual agreement it is decided that your application to join the Lodge should proceed you will be interviewed by the Lodge committee and if all goes well the Lodge at large will then vote on the proposal for you to join St Laurence Lodge. This process can take anything between 3 months and a year.
So, as mentioned above, if you do feel you would like to become a freemason and join our Lodge, have any questions or want further information please contact the Secretary.