~ How Did Masonry Begin? ~
No one knows just how old Freemasonry is because the actual origins have been
lost in time. Most scholars believe Masonry rose from the guilds of
stonemasons who built the majestic castles and cathedrals of the middle ages.
In 1717, Masonry created a formal organization when four Lodges in London joined
in forming England's first Grand Lodge. By 1731, when Benjamin Franklin
joined the Fraternity, there were already several Lodges in the Colonies, and in
Canada the first Lodge was established in 1738.
Today, Masonic Lodges are found in almost every community throughout North
America, and in large cities there are usually several Lodges.
A Mason can travel to almost any country in the world and find a Masonic
Lodge where he will be welcomed as a "Brother."
Source: The Masonic Information Center, 8120, Fenton Street,
Silver Spring, Md., a division of The Masonic Service Association.
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