What does it cost to be a Freemason?
How do you join the Freemasons?
For the answer to these questions, keep reading.
If you decide to join the Lodge of Opportunity, you will be asked for certain fees, which under Grand Lodge rules, have to be paid prior to joining. These will include a one-off joining fee of plus a one-off registration fee to Grand Lodge & Provincial Grand Lodge totalling approx. These costs vary from time to time and the Secretary will be able to give you details.
You will then be expected to pay the annual subscription levied by the Lodge which, starts at the last meeting of the year.
Most Lodge meetings have an official ceremony followed by a dinner. You may choose to dine with your brethren or go home after the Lodge meeting, again this is your choice and there will never be any pressure on you to stay, but you would miss the comradery that goes with the after proceedings.
Depending on the Lodge, a Masonic dinner could include a starter, main course, desert, cheese & biscuits and coffee. If you invite any Masonic guests, it is normal that, as their host, you would pay their dining fee, vegetarian options are available always available to cater for all tastes.
Most Lodges will have a ‘dress code’ which requests that members wear a dark lounge suit, shirt with a white collar, a black tie and black shoes. In time, certain items of regalia will be required, which initially will not be expensive, and often, there is the opportunity to buy used regalia at very little cost.
From time to time, many Lodges have a special evening, or daytime event, specifically to raise money for charity. You will never be pressurised into attending them or to donate money at these events if you are unable to, or prefer not to.
However, it is hoped that you will participate in the Lodge’s efforts to raise money for the various charities they adopt. Freemasons are encouraged to donate money to charity, dependent upon their means. You will never be pressurised and some Lodges will not ask you at all, as giving to charity is a matter for your own conscience.
How do you join the Freemasons ? Suggested Steps
If after reading the pages on this site, you are interested in becoming a Freemason, we advise that you first talk to a family member, friend or colleague whom you already know to be a Freemason. If you don’t know anyone who is a Freemason and you would like to join our Hertfordshire Lodge, please send an email telling to the Secretary with your telephone number using the contact page in the ‘Contacts‘ tab.
Arrangements may be made to meet you socially to find out more about you, and to give you a chance to find out more about us.
If you live, or want to join a Lodge in another part of Hertfordshire The Provincial Grand Lodge of Hertfordshire is there to help you.