Membership in Village Lodge
Joining Village Lodge is an opportunity for qualified men to become members of the world’s oldest, largest, and best known fraternal organization. The process of obtaining membership is divided into stages marked by three separate ceremonies, called degrees. The symbolism of each is intended to strengthen a man’s commitment to his faith, his family, and his community.
Masons are men from a variety of ethnic, religious, and economic backgrounds who share a belief in the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God, work to improve themselves and their communities, and are an asset to all who know them. Membership in a Masonic lodge is an honor that says a great deal about the character and personal integrity of a man.
Membership inquiries can be sent to , or see the contact us page for other ways to contact Village Lodge and how to visit us. The form for petitioning membership can be downloaded here.
Qualifications for Membership
Village Lodge is open to men who:
- Have been an Ohio resident for at least six months.
- Are at least 19 years old.
- Have a belief in the supreme being.
- Live a good moral and social life.
- Are recommended by two brothers of Village Lodge. If you do not know two brothers of Village Lodge, we can arrange a meeting with two brothers to get to know you better.
What Are Membership Ceremonies?
The experience of becoming a member of a Masonic lodge is divided into three ceremonial stages that Masons call “degrees.” These three degrees are loosely based upon the journeyman system, which was used to educate Medieval craftsmen. Symbolically the degrees represent the three stages of human development: youth, manhood, and age.
The first degree of Freemasonry is the Entered Apprentice degree. It is a candidate’s first experience with the ceremonies of the fraternity and like all Masonic ceremonies is a solemn and meaningful event. Though new to Freemasonry, an Entered Apprentice enjoys the title of “brother.”
The Fellow Craft degree is the second ceremony and exposes a brother to more of the symbolism and philosophy of the fraternity. For skilled craftsmen this degree would have marked one’s progress from an apprentice to a journeyman.
The Master Mason degree is the last of the Lodge ceremonies and with it a candidate becomes a full member, enjoying both the rights and responsibilities of membership.
During all three ceremonies, a candidate is treated with complete respect. At no time, is he ever made to feel uncomfortable or harassed in anyway. Masonic ceremonies are a wonderful tradition shared by men such as George Washington, Harry S. Truman, and other men of integrity. These ceremonies are always conferred in such a way as to bring pride to the candidate and the members of the Lodge.
