Frequently Asked Questions

Freemasonry, also known as Masonry, is a fraternity dedicated to uniting people under shared values of brotherhood and a belief in a higher power. Using the symbolic tools of ancient builders, it offers a system of teachings to foster character, integrity, and moral growth in its members.

Our core mission is to help good men become better. Through bonds of friendship, compassion, and brotherly love, Freemasonry has endured centuries of political, military, and religious challenges. We encourage members to live out their personal faith while promoting self-improvement and service to others.

Every Mason is called to make a positive impact in the world through personal growth and helping those around them.

With over two million members in North America alone, Freemasons, or Masons, come from all professions and backgrounds, meeting as equals within the fraternity. Despite diverse political views and religious beliefs, all Masons share a belief in one God and connect as friends.

Many of North America’s founding leaders were Masons, including thirteen signers of the U.S. Constitution, most famously, George Washington.

What makes Freemasonry special is its ability to bring together men from varied walks of life in peace, harmony, and friendship, united as “Brothers” in a shared commitment to personal growth and brotherhood.

Freemasonry inspires its members to grow as better men, husbands, fathers, and citizens. The bonds formed in the lodge create lasting friendships among men who share common values and goals.

Beyond personal growth, Freemasonry is committed to helping others. North American Freemasons donate over $2 million daily to charitable causes, showcasing the fraternity’s deep humanitarian spirit. Much of this aid supports non-Masons. Notable efforts include:

• Shriners Hospitals: Operated by Shrine Masons, these provide free treatment for children with burns or orthopedic conditions.

• Scottish Rite Programs: A network of over 150 Childhood Language Disorder Clinics and Centers across the U.S.

• Other Initiatives: Masonic groups fund scholarships, community service projects, and various philanthropies.

Masons and their families also enjoy social and recreational activities, fostering fellowship and community connection.

To become a Freemason, one must believe in a single God or Supreme Being. However, Masons are encouraged to avoid debating personal beliefs within the lodge. We value civil discourse and discussion while promoting free will and independent thinking. Preaching specific scriptures or displaying political biases could hinder this freedom, so we focus on fostering open-mindedness and respect.

• Faith must be the center of our lives.
• All men and women are the children of God.
• No one has the right to tell another person what he or she must think or believe.
• Each person has a responsibility to be a good citizen, obeying the law.
• It is important to work to make the world a better place for all.
• Honor and integrity are keys to a meaningful life.

The exact origins of Freemasonry are unknown, lost to time. Many scholars believe it emerged from medieval stonemason guilds that constructed grand castles and cathedrals. In 1717, Freemasonry formalized when four London lodges united to form England’s first Grand Lodge.

In 1736, the first lodge in New Hampshire, St. John’s Lodge No. 1 was constituted by the Grand Lodge of England.

By 1766, the Earl of Halifax Tavern was constructed, providing a formal meeting location for the local lodges of the time. The name was changed to the William Pitt Tavern during the American Revolution in favor of pro-American patriotism.

By 1789, five lodges of New Hampshire convened to form the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire at the William Pitt Tavern.  The tavern is one of, if not the oldest location in North America where both a Grand Lodge was formed and Masonic degrees are actively conferred.

Today, Masonic lodges thrive in nearly every North American community, with multiple lodges in larger cities. A Mason can travel worldwide and be welcomed as a “Brother” at lodges in almost any country.

Within the aspects of Freemasonry exist appendant bodies that focus on specific areas of philosophy and charity. Association with these bodies is not required However, all of these bodies are comprised of Masons. Some include but are not limited to:

Order the Eastern Star: A direct compliment to Freemasonry, celebrating matriarchal leadership, sisterhood, and charity.

Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Freemasonry: Often nicknamed “Masonic University,” where Masons use history to expand understandings of Masonic teachings and core beliefs and focus charitable efforts towards education.

York Rite: Honors the legacy of ancient, spiritual and operative Masonry as well as celebrating the legacy of the Knights’ Templar.

In Freemasonry, a “Lodge” refers to both a group of Masons who meet together and the room or building where they gather. Masonic buildings are sometimes called “temples,” a term rooted in their role as places of knowledge, as Masonry promotes learning and personal growth.

Lodges typically meet once or twice a month to:

• Handle regular business.

• Vote on membership petitions.

• Initiate new Masons through three ceremonial degrees.

Within the lodge room, Masons engage in programs that build and strengthen bonds of friendship and fellowship.

To join Freemasonry, applicants must be men of good character who believe in one God or Supreme Being. To become a Mason, one must submit a petition to a specific lodge with endorsements from the same lodge. The lodge’s Master then appoints a committee to meet with the applicant before the lodge votes on the petition.

Humane Lodge No. 21 holds its regular stated meeting on the first Monday of each month at 7:30 PM, except on holidays or during January and February. We may also host special meetings for degree conferrals and other ceremonies.

We also actively try to plan events and activities to engage with the local community.