This section includes additional material that will shed further light so you may contribute to your Lodge and Masonry where you feel your talents and passion leads you.
This is a work in progress.
Lodges and Lodge buildings no longer in use as a Lodge are listed to the right. Some of these Lodges were active since the Grand Lodge started providing web-based listings of Lodges, but have since merged or otherwise forfeited their charter. Others are Lodges still in operation that have moved to more modern facilities, but their location and other info are preserved here for historical reference. Click on the Lodge of interest to learn details we have including the location. Please email the webmaster if you have additional information on these Lodges and Lodge buildings.
Appendant Bodies--An Overview
Scottish Rite
The Scottish Rite, or more officially Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite (AASR), is an appendant body of Masonry, meaning that it is not part of the Blue Lodge per se, but closely associated with Masonry. It requires that a man be a Master Mason in good standing before joining the Scottish Rite. The Scottish Rite confers the 4th through 32nd degrees. The degree work may be, but is not necessarily, completed at one time.Any Master Mason in good standing is eligible to join the Scottish Rite. The degrees of the Scottish Rite continue the symbolism of the first three Masonic degrees.
Here is a link to the SCOTTISH RITE, ORIENT of ALABAMA for more information on this appendant body and locations within Alabama.
York Rite
The York Rite, like the Scottish Rite, is an appendant body of Masonry, and confers degrees beyond the Blue Lodge's three degrees. It consists of ten additional degrees: The Chapter degrees--Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch Mason; the Cryptic Degrees--Royal Master, Select Master, and Super Excellent Master; and the Chivalric Orders--Order of the Red Cross, Order of the Knights of Malta and the Order of Knights Templar.The Chivalric Orders, which comprise the third section of the York Rite are specifically Christian. It can be stated that the oath is, in Grand Lodges in the US and some abroad, one need not be a Christian, but rather only be willing to take a Christian OATH. The difference here is that there are some who would willingly swear to defend the Christian faith on the grounds that they would defend any man's faith. The Chapter (or Royal Arch) and Council Of Royal And Select Masters (Cryptic Rite), which comprise the first two sections of the York Rite, are not specifically Christian.
As with most things Masonic, discuss any concerns with your local York Rite, who can advise you regarding your eligibility.
Here is a link to the ALABAMA GRAND YORK RITE that will provide you with additional information and determine the closest York Rite body in your area.
Shrine
The Shrine is not an appendant body of Masonry, though the distinction would escape many. The Shrine confers no additional degrees. It was founded in 1872 (the Mecca Shrine in New York City) and an Arabic theme was chosen. Hence, the distinctive red fez that Shriners wear at official functions.Members of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles the Mystic Shrine for North America (AASONM is an anagram for "A MASON") are usually members of the Scottish Rite with the 32nd degree conferred, and/or a Knight Templar in the Commandery of the York Rite. The Shrine is most noted for its emphasis on philanthropy and its jolly outlook on life. It has been called "the playground of Masonry". This is expressed as "Pleasure without intemperance, hospitality without rudeness, and jollity without coarseness."
Eastern Star
The Order of the Eastern Star is an adoptive rite of Freemasonry with teachings based on the Bible and objectives that are charitable and benevolent. The founder of OES was Dr. Robert Morris, a lawyer and educator from Boston, Massachusetts, who was a Master Mason and Past Grand Master of Kentucky. Dr. Morris intended his creation to become a female branch of Freemasonry, but he failed to overcome the great opposition this idea engendered. After his first published ritual in 1849-50, he became associated with Robert Macoy who wrote and published a ritual based on Morris' in 1867. The first Grand Chapter was organized in Michigan in the same year. (There is evidence for an organization of the same name founded variously in 1788 or 1793, but this group was defunct by 1867.) Subordinate (local) chapters operate under charter from state level grand chapters which are responsible to the General Grand Chapter at the International Eastern Star Shrine in Washington, D.C.Members must be eighteen years or older and either Master Masons in good standing or properly related to a Master Mason in good standing. The latter category includes wives; widows; sisters; daughters; mothers; granddaughters; step-mothers; step daughters; step-sisters; and half-sisters. In 1994 this was expanded to include nieces, daughters-in- law, and grandmothers.
Each chapter has eighteen officers, some elected and others appointed. Two offices are specifically male (Patron and Associate Patron) while nine offices are specifically female (including Matron and Associate Matron). While the Worthy Matron is considered to be the presiding officer of the chapter, the degrees cannot be conferred without a presiding brother in good standing (hence the Patron and Associate Patron).
Each chapter retains the right to decide who shall be a member of the organization. Election to the degrees must be unanimous, without debate, and secret. The successful candidate must profess a belief in a Supreme Being and is initiated in five degrees, which are conferred in one ceremony. (When Eastern Star was created, it was intended to be the first of a three degree series. The second and third degrees were Queen of the South and the Order of the Amaranth, respectively.)
Interestingly enough, OES requires only the belief in a Supreme Being even though the degrees are based in both the Old and New Testaments. While non-Christians are not specifically barred from membership, it would seem to be difficult to be other than Christian and belong to the Order.
Here is a link to the ALABAMA GRAND CHAPTER Order of the EASTERN STAR that points to further information and links to all Alabama Chapter locations.
DeMolay
The International Order of DeMolay is the world's largest fraternal organization for young men between the ages of 13 and 21. The Order was founded in Kansas City, Missouri on March 24, 1919 by Frank Sherman Land. DeMolay Chapters are sponsored by Masonic Lodges, and some members of the sponsoring body also serve as Advisors on the Chapter's Advisory Council. Structurally, it is similar to Masonry. The officers of a Chapter are the Master Councilor, Senior Councilor, Junior Councilor, Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, Senior Steward, Junior Steward, Orator, Scribe, Marshal, Chaplain, Standard Bearer, Sentinel, Almoner, and seven Preceptors.DeMolay Chapters hold monthly or bi-weekly meetings with Masonic-like Ritual. Other activities include athletic tournaments and events, social functions (joint activities with Rainbow are encouraged), fund-raising activities, Masonic service activities, and civic and philanthropic activities.
DeMolays are taught the seven cardinal virtues of the Order-- filial love, reverence for sacred things, courtesy, comradeship, fidelity, cleanness, and patriotism-- and the importance of practicing them in their daily lives.
The Order's namesake is Jacques DeMolay, who was the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar and who was executed by the Inquisition on March 18, 1314. Louis Lower, the first DeMolay, and his group of friends, when asked by Dad Land to choose a name for their group, believed that his heroic fidelity and loyalty to his fellow Templars were qualities with which they wanted their group to be identified. Mind you, Dad Land explained this to them before they chose their name.
A fascinating book about the history of the Order and the life of Frank S. Land ( 1890-1959), titled "Hi! Dad," is available from the DeMolay and More Store or practically any member of the Order. The phone number of the DeMolay and More Store is 1-800-DEMOLAY. (thanks to Tom Schnorrenberg)