Welcome to the Grand Lodge Web Site
Here you will have the opportunity to view a lot of information about our organization and what makes it unique. In order to make your time here enjoyable and productive, we have created four separate web venues. Presently you are at the 'formal' portion of our site where business and administrative matters are presented. Many of the items in the 'download' portion of the site have to do with the administrative details that members of the Craft are interested in and may not be well understood by those not part of the Fraternity. Nevertheless, feel free to spend as much time here as you like. The many links provided on the site will undoubtedly add to your experience.
We also have a separate site for our Maine Masonic College which features educational programs of all kinds, most of which are open to our friends and neighbors. We've also created History Section for those interested in researching our history and/or genealogy matters. We've included not only our Grand Lodge transactions but also histories of the local lodges in Maine and much more. All of our sites are continually expanding to provide you with an enhanced online experience.
If you have questions about Freemasonry that you can not find answers to on our web site or are interested in joining just follow the "Contact Us" links.
Again, welcome and enjoy!
About Freemasonry
Freemasonry is the world's oldest and largest fraternity. For three
centuries, it has beckoned men of good character to its ranks. It has no regard
for differences in race, color, creed or station in life. Using traditions and
implements of antiquity, it seeks to inspire its members to live by the tenets
of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.
While the moral philosophy of Freemasonry is founded upon religious
principles, it is not a religion nor a substitute for one. It does not solicit
membership but welcomes men who have good morals and who profess a belief in a
Supreme Being. Any man sincerely desirous of serving humanity only needs to ask
a member in order to receive a petition for membership.
From 1619 to 1820, Maine was a District of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In 1762, the Provincial Grand Lodge of the Grand Lodge of England (now the United Grand Lodge of England) issued a charter to form a lodge in Falmouth (said lodge later moving to Portland) at the request of a number of Masons living in the area. In 1819, the people of Maine voted to withdraw from Massachusetts and form a separate State. The Maine Lodges (there were 31 at the time, active and thriving) then met in convention and voted to follow suit and form their own Grand Lodge when the separation should take place. Maine joined the Union as the 23rd State on March 15, 1820 and the Grand Lodge of Maine came into being on June 1 following. It was consecrated by the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire on June 24, 1820 with William King, the first (and serving) Governor of Maine installed into the office of Grand Master.
The Grand Lodge of Maine is pleased to have you visit its web site and encourages you to look at our other official web sites: Maine Masonry Today, Books and Proceedings and the Maine Masonic College.
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