Hello,

I am looking into visiting/joining a Masonic lodge.  My question is that I currently reside in a town (Newburyport) which I do not plan on being in for too long ( maybe 2 more years).  I do know where I will be settling (Swampscott), and also work in Boston and plan on being in Boston for the forseeable future.  So the question becomes, do I visit the Boston lodge, the Newburyport Lodge or the Swampscott Lodge? And are they interchangable, such that if I visit and go thru the membership process at the Boston Lodge, would I be able to “transfer”, for lack of a better word, to the Swampscott lodge when we do eventually move there? Or should I simply bide my time until we settle into a community and go to the local lodge.  Any guidance on this would be appreciated, thank you for your time.

Regards,

Casey Mohan

This is just one Mason’s opinion, but the bottom line is you can always “affiliate” with other Lodges after you join—regardless of where you end up. Since it costs relatively little for dues, (usually less than $50 a year), it’s easy to join other Lodges (as well as other appendant bodes, like the Scottish and York Rites, and the Shiners). You will have to make an application and be voted on, but you don’t have to go through the three degrees again—you only become a Mason once.

As an example, I joined Perfection Lodge in Framingham, MA, when I lived in that town. When I later moved closer to Boston. I “affiliated” with Columbian Lodge in Boston and later joined the Line and became Master. Though I am still a member of Perfection, I don’t get to attend as often as I would like because it is not convenient for me.

If you want to get involved in Freemasonry, I always recommend joining a Lodge when and where you are ready—rather than waiting—and become active wherever you are. One of the great things about becoming a Mason is that you can travel and “visit” virtually any Lodge around the world—and be welcomed with open arms. At Columbian, we have Masons who have visited our Lodge—and later affiliated—from just about everywhere.

Just remember that the officers of the first Lodge you do join will do a lot of work to bring you in, and that Lodge will always be your Mother (or Blue) Lodge.

Bob