Essex Lodge

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Essex Lodge Instituted in 1779 and operating within the 9th Masonic District, Essex Lodge holds a rich history of tradition, brotherhood, charity and community service.

As this Essex Lodge was constituted during the reign of King George III, it was considered an Eng

We are excited to have Entered a New Brother into the Fraternity this month! It's always exciting to see a New Mason tak...
10/13/2026

We are excited to have Entered a New Brother into the Fraternity this month! It's always exciting to see a New Mason take his first Steps on this unforgettable journey.

Thank you to the officers for the incredible Degree work, especially to our esteemed Brothers, R.W. Lebeau, Wor. Haley, and Bro. Shilo who gave the Final lectures with incredible zeal.

Essex Lodge had the extraordinary honor of hosting Bro. Sebastian Hanson, son of Bro. Mark Hanson, as he was made a Maso...
10/02/2026

Essex Lodge had the extraordinary honor of hosting Bro. Sebastian Hanson, son of Bro. Mark Hanson, as he was made a Mason at Sight by the Grand Master of Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts, Most Worshipful Timothy S. McGavin.

This was a historic and deeply meaningful occasion for our Lodge and for Masonry at large. Moments such as this remind us of the strength of our Fraternity, the importance of Brotherly love, and the impact we can have when we come together in support of one another.

We are sincerely grateful to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, Most Worshipful McGavin, the Grand Lodge officers, our District officers, the Brethren of Essex Lodge, and all who helped make this special day possible. Your support and presence helped create a moment that will long be remembered in the history of our Lodge.

Congratulations, Bro. Hanson, and welcome to the Fraternity.

Join us next Saturday, September 19, 11:00am–5:00pm, for the fifth annual Psychic Fair - Salem Masonic Temple organized ...
09/11/2026

Join us next Saturday, September 19, 11:00am–5:00pm, for the fifth annual Psychic Fair - Salem Masonic Temple organized by Wor. Reagan and sponsored by the Essex Masonic Lodge and Scottish Rite Valley of Salem.

This event will benefit the Salem High Scholarship funds.�
Family-friendly...great cause!
�- Readings�- Reiki�- Tarot
..and more!

Special reduced rate of $20 per session.

Several Masonic Lodges and Appendant Bodies will also be on hand to answer questions about the Craft and gives tours of the Lodge.

EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Excited for the work ahead in the 2026-27 Masonic Year! 🔺SMIB 🔻
09/10/2026

Excited for the work ahead in the 2026-27 Masonic Year!

🔺SMIB 🔻

Salem 400th Anniversary Parade! We were so proud to be involved and equally proud for our Lodge’s longstanding history w...
08/01/2026

Salem 400th Anniversary Parade! We were so proud to be involved and equally proud for our Lodge’s longstanding history with the city!

Thanks to the Aleppo Shriners and Drifters for being excellent parade fellows and Brothers!

Happy Independence Day!Today we celebrate the birth of the greatest nation on Earth! A nation founded on the radical ide...
07/04/2026

Happy Independence Day!

Today we celebrate the birth of the greatest nation on Earth! A nation founded on the radical idea that people should be free to govern themselves, pursue happiness, and occasionally argue for three hours over parliamentary procedure.

As Freemasons, we would never claim sole responsibility for the American Revolution. That would be ridiculous.

We merely had a suspicious number of Founding Fathers in our ranks, a strong appreciation for liberty, and an unhealthy obsession with meeting in secret rooms. Draw your own conclusions.

History tells us that a group of determined colonists dumped tea into Boston Harbor. What history doesn’t tell us is whether anyone properly filled out a motion, obtained a second, or submitted the event to the Secretary beforehand.

We also cannot confirm that the Declaration of Independence was drafted on a trestle board, nor can we verify that George Washington was repeatedly reminded to “keep his remarks brief.”

What we do know is that many of the principles we hold dear as Masons; brotherhood, equality, personal responsibility, and the pursuit of truth helped shape the spirit of a young nation determined to chart its own course.

So today, enjoy the fireworks, the cookouts, and the company of family and friends. Raise a glass to freedom, and remember that while the Founding Fathers may have won independence, it is up to each generation to preserve it.

And if anyone ever asks whether Freemasons were responsible for the American Revolution, simply smile knowingly and remind them that some secrets are meant to stay in the lodge room.

Happy Fourth of July, Brethren!

Fraternally,

Mario Martín

Worshipful Master, Essex Lodge

July 4, 1776, two hundred and fifty years ago, courage and sacrifice gave birth to a Republic unlike any the world had s...
07/04/2026

July 4, 1776, two hundred and fifty years ago, courage and sacrifice gave birth to a Republic unlike any the world had seen. This Fourth of July, we honor that legacy with pride and gratitude.

Essex Lodge was chartered on March 10, 1779, in the thick of the Revolutionary War. Our first Master, Wor. Robert Foster, a Salem blacksmith and Captain of Militia, stood at the North Bridge on February 26, 1775 and held Colonel Alexander Leslie and British regulars at bay, preventing them from seizing the very cannon he had been fitting with gun carriages. That confrontation was among the earliest armed resistances of the Revolution and came before Lexington and Concord.

Salem played its part as well. The town mustered early, its mariners became privateers, and its citizens chose liberty. Our Lodge was born from that same spirit. Our early Brethren were patriots, craftsmen, soldiers, and seafarers working under the traditions of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the same Masonic lineage that shaped leaders like Paul Revere, Grand Master of Massachusetts and eventual signer of our Charter. The ideals that animated those men, duty, virtue, fidelity, and brotherhood, are the same principles we are obligated to today.

Brethren, independence is not self-sustaining. Liberty requires character. Community requires leadership. Institutions endure only when good men choose to support them.

As heirs to a Lodge founded in wartime uncertainty, we carry a real responsibility: to be visible pillars in our community, to practice charity with sincerity, to mentor the Masons who come after us, and to uphold the timeless virtues that make both Masonry and America strong.

The Brothers of Essex Lodge's founding invested in a future they would never see. Because of them, we stand here today. Now it is our turn to build for 2276.

Let us celebrate loudly, live honorably, and serve faithfully.

Happy 4th of July, Brethren, and hurrah for 250 years of American Independence.

Fraternally,

The Brothers at Essex Lodge 🇺🇸

PS - Join us to celebrate another historic Milestone by marching with Essex Lodge in the Salem 400 Parade on August 1.

Pictured: Cornerstone Laying of our Masonic Building, June 24, 1915 (colorized)

Fun being out today for the 34th Annual HAWC 5k Walk & Run - Essex Lodge Partner Walk & Run! For the third year in a row...
06/07/2026

Fun being out today for the 34th Annual HAWC 5k Walk & Run - Essex Lodge Partner Walk & Run! For the third year in a row our SD Alfred McCarthy was the MC!

Congratulations to the Recipients of the Salem High School and John S. Linenhan Memorial Scholarship award winners!Educa...
06/05/2026

Congratulations to the Recipients of the Salem High School and John S. Linenhan Memorial Scholarship award winners!

Education is fundamental to Masonry and we're excited to support those pursuing higher education!

Scientia est potentia!

Thinking of our Brothers and all who have served on this Memorial Day. In reverence of the day, our past Chaplain Brothe...
05/25/2026

Thinking of our Brothers and all who have served on this Memorial Day.

In reverence of the day, our past Chaplain Brother Paul Woodley penned the following:

Thank you for your service and God Bless America!
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Folding the American Flag
As we look forward to observing Memorial Day we should acknowledge the meaning and traditions of handling our American Flag, “Old Glory”. Old Glory is not only the main symbol of our country but also the symbol of the individuals that serve this republic. The symbolism of the individual folds of the flag shows our country’s belief in an Almighty Being and freedom to worship this belief as the individual wishes. The meaning associated with the individual folds of the flag imparts the importance of all individuals that serve their country. The method in which the American Flag is folded and handled is unique from other countries around the world. I know of no other country that folds their flag in a triangular shape. Most country flags are folded to a standard that specifies that a certain color of the flag is showing with no specification on the number of folds or shape. The history of our respect for “Old Glory” is not exactly known. There has always been a powerful mandate that the flag of The United States of America never touch the ground and be treated with great respect. The symbolism and meaning of the individual folds of “Old Glory” do not have an exact date of origin. It seems that they were written over a period of time. It appears that they were introduced in their present form during The First World War, a period of high patriotic spirit, but the symbolism of the act is from the entire history of our country.

🔻SMIB 🔻

Address

70 Washington Street
Salem, MA
01970

Telephone

+19782106737

Website

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