The Provincial Grand Lodge of Cheshire
One step at a time
Like every journey, to become a Freemason, you need to take the first step. A step that takes you through a voyage of discovery, not just about Freemasonry, but also about yourself. As a Mason you become part of a worldwide, diverse and inclusive fraternity.
There are three steps to become a Master Mason each of which is celebrated with a special ceremony. Starting as an Entered Apprentice, they usually take one or two years,.
The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) oversees lodges in England, Wales, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands as well as some Districts overseas, whilst Scotland and Ireland – and many other countries as well as the States of the USA – have their own Grand Lodges.
For a man to be eligible to join he must be 18 or over regardless of ethnicity, political views, economic standing or religion, although he is expected to have a faith.
If you require more information or if you would like to be contacted by someone from a local lodge, please fill in the contact details below.
Universities Scheme
Student engagement is at the heart of the Universities Scheme and remains a core priority for scheme Lodges and its members. The scheme gives members a great opportunity to make long-lasting friendships and increase their social interaction, especially if they are studying away from family and friends, as well as providing support and offering the right tools to build self-confidence and life skills that last far beyond their time at university.
Members also participate in Freshers’ Fairs at universities across the country, as well as working with student unions and university governing bodies.
During the course of its history, the Universities Scheme has continually helped to forge links between well-placed, enthusiastic Lodges and the many students and other young people who are seeking to become involved in Freemasonry, but who may not know where to begin. They will be involved in a young network and be able to interact with other like-minded students from all backgrounds and share experiences.
In the Province of Cheshire there are opportunities to join not one, but two University Scheme Lodges, University lodge of Chester, which meets at Queen Street, Chester, and Omnium Lodge which meets at Cheshire View Christleton. The University of Lodge of Chester has been established for over 10 years and has a well-established route for students to join and progress. Omnium Lodge is a new unique venture, its ambitions are to attract Open University alumni and staff from all over England and Wales who wish to join Freemasonry. The Lodge will eventually become peripatetic, meeting where and when to meet the needs of joining members.
The Province of Cheshire also boasts one of only seven Holy Royal Arch Chapters in the Constitution of England and Wales that is affiliated to the Universities Scheme. St Mary’s Chapter which meets at Queen Street, Chester is an attractive proposition for those University Scheme Freemasons who have progressed sufficiently through the Craft Degrees and wish to extend their knowledge of The Holy Royal Arch.
Paul S. Rogerson
University Scheme Liaison Officer
December 2021
Links
Freemasons' Lodges in Cheshire
Frequently Asked Questions
Most frequent questions and answers
WHAT WE ARE (Purpose)
We are a unique members’ organisation which has thrived for over 300 years. Having no political or religious affiliations, we comprise members of all ages, races, religions, cultures and backgrounds. We meet in our individual Lodges throughout the country where we have ceremonial traditions which encourage us both to be more tolerant and respectful and actively to fulfil our civic and charitable responsibilities; we also make time to eat, drink and meet together, and form lifelong friendships.
WHAT WE AIM FOR (Vision)
To attract those from all backgrounds and walks of life, enabling them to develop into more thoughtful and confident people. To inspire and challenge them to practise the core values we celebrate – Integrity, Friendship, Respect, Charity – in their private and public lives. To cement our reputation as a force for good in our communities and society at large and as a thriving organisation that people aspire to join.
OUR VALUES
INTEGRITY: Rather than working on buildings like the masons of old, today’s Freemasons focus on building themselves as people of integrity, and membership provides the structure to help achieve that goal.
FRIENDSHIP: One of the oldest social organisations in the world, Freemasonry is not defined by an ideology. It is open to people from all religions and political persuasions, and provides the common foundation for friendships between members, many of which will last for life.
RESPECT: With a membership of more than 200,000 people drawn from communities across the UK, Freemasonry brings people together irrespective of their race, religion or any other perceived differences that can divide us as a society.
CHARITY: Kindness and charitable giving are deeply ingrained within the principles of Freemasonry. The organisation provides a support structure that helps members make positive contributions to communities and worthwhile causes through fundraising events or volunteer work.
People join Freemasonry for many different reasons, some join for the friendships they will make; friendships that last a lifetime and encompass the key milestones in life for better or worse. You will meet people who are different to you, those of different ages with radically different life experiences and interests, drawn together by common experience through Freemasonry.
Our members are, and have been for three centuries, drawn from all walks of life. From Captains of industry and chief executives to manual labourers and forklift truck drivers, so you will find people with a wealth of different outlooks from all races, religions, classes and backgrounds.
There are also those who enjoy the ceremonial aspects. Our meetings consist of centuries old lessons centered around you as an individual. How you live your life, the decisions that you make and how to become a better person are all found within our meetings.
Freemasons are taught to look after those less fortunate than themselves, charity is our lifeblood and many members devote their time and energy to helping those less fortunate than themselves.
We also have a huge amount of fun along the way, we eat, drink and meet together and form lifelong friendships.
There are three ‘degree ceremonies’ performed during masonic meetings. They are essentially one act plays and teach members how to be better people and each play represents a different stage in life.
As an ‘initiate’ or Entered Apprentice, Freemasons are taught we are all born equal, we learn that in life some do better than others and it is up to those that do well to look after the less fortunate. From this stems our belief in the importance of Charity.
The next stage is to become a ‘Fellow Craft’ where Freemasons are taught the importance of improving yourself as a person, and finally as a ‘Master Mason’, where we learn that we have but one life, and the importance of using it wisely.
The details of the ceremonies can easily be accessed online but nothing beats experiencing it for yourself.
After the meetings members dine together informally in order to enjoy good food, good wine, and good company. And most importantly, to have fun together.
The aprons stem from our historical and symbolic roots as stonemasons. Being leather, they were designed to protect them from sharp tools and rough stones. For today’s Freemasons, the apron is a mark of their membership. They are presented with a white leather apron and as they progress this becomes more elaborate.
Only men aged over 18 are allowed to join the United Grand Lodge of England in England and Wales.
The two leading women’s Grand Lodges, that we have the closest relationship, with are: Freemasonry for Women and the Order of Women Freemasons. These two groups only admit women because that is the choice of their memberships. Both of the women’s organisations, and ourselves, prefer to practice our Freemasonry in single sex environments. The United Grand Lodge of England regularly hires its facilities out for meetings of the two women’s Lodges due to our mutual respect and close relations.
It is the sheer scale. We are one of the biggest charitable givers in the country and gave nearly £51.1m to charities in 2020 alone.
The Masonic Charitable Foundation, the Freemasons’ Charity – our national charitable grant giving arm, tackles some of the most significant challenges facing society, in particular, reducing loneliness in later life and ensuring a positive future for young children. We work in partnership with some of the biggest charities in the country to deliver our support.
Freemasonry also does a huge amount for medical research into treatments for cancer, diabetes, heart disease and a whole range of other conditions. In addition it makes donations to support those affected by overseas disasters as well as those at home, such as the Grenfell Tower disaster.
During the Covid Pandemic Freemasons working together to help their communities. The United Grand Lodge of England, and its members, are doing all they can to help in the fight the coronavirus.
We have seen remarkable stories from across the country of how our members came together – from helping to raise vital funds for the NHS and delivering food to the community, through to purchasing ambulances and manufacturing vital personal protective equipment (PPE). To support Freemasonry’s charitable response to the coronavirus pandemic, UGLE and the Masonic Charitable Foundation, the Freemasons’ charity, established the Freemasons’ COVID-19 Community Fund.
This Fund has helped to support a range of local and national charities and projects that are helping people through the current coronavirus pandemic and in total has donated £3m during the pandemic.
Freemasonry exists throughout the world and the United Grand Lodge of England has Districts in many oversees countries. Our members are free to visit any of our Lodges abroad and will often find a warm welcome from fellow members who know the local country very well.
In addition to our Lodges, many other counties have sovereign grand lodges, which our members are free to visit and whose members visit us in England and Wales when travelling.
The United Grand Lodge of England has 180,000 members. The Grand Lodge of Scotland has approx. 27,000 members and The Grand Lodge of Ireland has approx. 20,000 members, whilst the two female Grand Lodges in England comprise of around 5,000 members. Worldwide there are estimated to be around six million members.
On average the annual dues and other fees amount to £200 a year, although there are local variations.
When becoming a Freemason, members are expected to be able to affirm a belief in a ‘Supreme Being’. This is deliberately phrased so as to be fully inclusive; most of our members generally believe in a God – be it Christian, Muslim, Sikh or Jewish etc – of some sort, and there is no requirement to be an active practitioner of any particular religion.
You are most welcome to contact us at the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cheshire for further information about the organisation by using the contact form below.
If you wish you can also contact the United Grand Lodge of England directly by using their contact page.
Interested in finding out more?
If you would like to get more information on any aspect of Freemasonry, or are interested in joining, please use this form in the first instance and someone will get back to you.
Please note that by submitting this form, the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cheshire may store and use the personal data you provide in order to respond to your query, check any information you have provided and improve the quality of the services it offers. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information.
The Provincial Grand Lodge of Cheshire
Ashcroft House, 36 Clay Lane, Timperley, Altrincham, Cheshire WA15 7AB
Tel : 0161 980 6090 | Email : webenquiries@cheshiremasons.co.uk