Masons of California

10/20/2026

For many members, becoming part of a is a welcome break from the rush of everyday life—a chance to slow down, connect with good people, grow personally, and make a difference in the community.

Read our simple guide to : https://freemason.org/openingthedoor



*Illustration by Eddie Guy for the Spring 2024 issue of California Freemason Magazine, available to read on our website!

10/19/2026

Shoulder to shoulder beneath a black-and-white mural, members of the Oklahoma Masonic Indian Degree Team pause before the evening shifts from portrait to ritual.

Last August, they have traveled to Alhambra Lodge 322 for a exemplification, carrying traditions shaped by ceremony, craftsmanship, and fellowship. Degree team member Ron Chambers, third from right, has spent nearly four decades with the team, hand-sewing and beading his own regalia along the way.

The labor, he says, is part of what gives these objects meaning: “Anytime you put the effort into building, into putting something like this together, it’s important.”

10/16/2026

Three men. Three different journeys. One shared destination. For many families, the concepts of religious freedom and belonging have never been abstract. Shaped by the legacy of the Armenian Genocide, revolution, and war, generations rebuilt their lives across continents, carrying with them a deep appreciation for tolerance, community, and hope.

For Narbeh Bagdasarian, the journey to Freemasonry began in , where the fraternity once flourished for more than a century before being driven underground following the Iranian Revolution. For Grand Master Ara Maloyan, it began amid the uncertainty of that same revolution. For Sebouh Badoyan, it started after escaping the violence of the Lebanese Civil War when his father sent him to California at just 16 years old.

Though their paths to California could not have been more different, they were united by a common search for purpose and brotherhood. Years later, those journeys converged in Southern California at Glendale Masonic Lodge No. 368 and Ararat No. 848, where they found a fraternity whose values transcended borders, languages, and backgrounds.

As Grand Master Maloyan reflects: “If you focus on the soul, you will love somebody for it and not for the shape of their body or the color of their eyes, or where they were born, or what religion they were brought up in. Freemasonry transcends all of that.”

Read more: https://freemason.org/manyroads-onecraft

10/15/2026

Though Masonry never promised fame, many of ’s most influential figures found fellowship inside the lodge as well as under the spotlight.Behind the cameras—and in front of them— helped establish studios, pioneer new ways of making movies, redefine comedy, and create some of the silver screen’s most enduring characters.

Here are just some of those names. Learn more at: https://freemason.org/lights-camera-lodge

1. Harold Lloyd (1893–1971)
2. Clark Gable (1901–1960)
3. John Wayne (1907–1979)
4. Gene Autry (1907–1998)
5. Nat King Cole (1919–1965)
6. Don Rickles (1926–2017)
7. Richard Pryor (1940–2005)
8. Shaquille O'Neal (B. 1972)

10/13/2026

Last weekend, brought Masons from across California and beyond together to celebrate, reconnect with old friends, make new memories, and welcome our new Grand Lodge officers and Grand Master Ara Maloyan. The future is bright, and we're excited for what lies ahead.

10/12/2026

Please join us in welcoming Ara Maloyan, Grand Master of the Masons of California! We look forward to his leadership, vision, and guidance in the year ahead.

10/11/2026

10/09/2026

This , neighbors and friends gathered in Huntington Park to enjoy an incredible performance by the 1st Marine Division Brass Band! And following the concert, we had the opportunity to connect with the band members during our social hour at the Top of the Mark.

The celebration continued with the presentation of the iconic ! Dating back to World War II, the Squadron Shot became a cherished tradition at the Top of the Mark, where departing aviators would toast before heading overseas and leave their squadron coins. Today, the tradition lives on as the Mark proudly serves the Squadron Shot to veterans and active-duty military members.

Thank you to the Marines for an unforgettable afternoon of music, fellowship, and tradition. We can't wait to welcome you back to Nob Hill again soon!

10/08/2026

Just days before Annual Communication, Masons of Kapayapaan at Pagkakaisa No. 888 kicked off the week at their monthly volunteer effort at Father Joe's Villages serving dinner to community members experiencing homelessness and reaffirmed their commitment to charity and service.

Freemasonry is not only what happens within the walls of our lodges, but also by the impact we make in the communities we serve. Every act of kindness, no matter how small, helps strengthen our communities and brings hope to those who need it most. Service above self, faithful to our Masonic obligation.


📸: Julio Reyes