While nobody is 100% certain on the origins of Freemasonry, it is widely believed Freemasonry (or Speculative Masonry) emerged out of the Stone-masonry guilds of the Middle Ages. Modern organized Freemasonry began in 1717 with the founding of the Grand Lodge of England. The first American Mason lodge was established in Philadelphia in 1730, and future revolutionary leader Benjamin Franklin was a f
ounding member. The Grand Lodge of Minnesota, formally known as "The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Minnesota," was formed in convention held on February 23–24, 1853 in Saint Paul, five years before Minnesota was admitted to the union. The Grand Lodge was formally constituted on February 24, 1853, with its headquarters in Saint Paul. Chain Lake Lodge in Fairmont was granted a Charter by the Grand Lodge of Minnesota on October 23rd, 1867. Having celebrated 150 years of Freemasonry in 2017, Chain Lake Lodge is proudly the oldest organization in Fairmont. In the philanthropic tradition of giving back to our community, Chain Lake Lodge #64 annually awards six $1,000.00 scholarships to high school Seniors of Martin county. Funding for the scholarship program is made possible, in part, by the annual spaghetti dinner fund raiser typically held the second week of March.
