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Welcome

Welcome to Shropshire Freemasonry! Thirty-seven lodges are set among Housman’s “blue remembered hills”, where Thomas Telford’s lodge (Salopian 262) still meets. A much more recent addition (Lodge 9897) is named for the great Iron Bridge which symbolises Shropshire's place as the cradle of the Industrial Revolution.

One of the oldest (and largest) social and charitable organisations in the world, the roots of modern Freemasonry are often thought to lie with the medieval stonemasons who built our great castles and cathedrals. 

Yet in truth, modern Freemasonry was forged in the crucible of the Enlightenment, when men challenged centuries-old teachings, and set out to rethink Man’s place in the world as well as his relationship with his fellow humans.

In 1723, just six years after the formation of the world’s oldest Grand Lodge in London, the Constitutions of Freemasonry were being laid down by a small group of philanthropic Brethren. It is an intriguing story, told in the video below - we do hope you will find time to discover how it all began, and perhaps also to realise why Freemasonry remains relevant to millions of people around the world 300 years later…

 

Our Values

Freemasonry’s values were traditionally based on the principles of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth - or, as we might say today, Respect, Friendship, Service and Integrity. The first two traditional values are well known - but Truth encompasses many other moral values which have been central to Masonry for more than 300 years - kindness, honesty, fairness and tolerance.

  • Integrity: We say what we mean and when we make a promise, we keep it.

  • Friendship: Freemasons enjoy the companionship of like-minded Brethren wherever they travel. To many of our members, this is one of the most attractive aspects of the Society.

  • Respect: We are encouraged to show respect for the opinions of others and behave with understanding and tolerance to those from different cultures, religions and backgrounds.

  • Service: The commitment Freemasons make to Charity is well understood: this comes under the broader umbrella of Service to our Brethren and to our communities.

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A letter from the Provincial Grand Master:

The charitable aspect of Freemasonry has been given a respectable airing in the media. Even newspapers perennially suspicious of Freemasonry have praised us for the work we have carried out in the community to relieve distress. We are justifiably proud of the way that the Brethren of Shropshire have emptied their pockets and given up their time to assist the victims of illness, isolation and indigence but we mustn’t let the general public think that this is all that Freemasonry is about.

The three pillars of Freemasonry are introduced to a Brother soon after his initiation. They will be designated, ‘Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth’ and are variously illustrated as Fellowship, Integrity and Compassion, Wisdom, Strength and Beauty, even, Faith, Hope and Charity. We are right to tell a potential Candidate that as a Mason he will benefit from the Fellowship of the Festive Board or that he will have the opportunity to help those less fortunate than themselves. The vaguer stuff we often either omit altogether or gloss over as ‘self- improvement.’

The three pillars of Freemasonry actually support a structure, the structure of the metaphorical temple that it is possible to build in the heart of every man and woman. This is precisely what our ritual teaches us; that whatever your colour, creed, class or educational background, Freemasonry will give you the tools to develop your understanding of our common humanity, the duties we owe to each other, of respect; of forgiveness, of understanding, of compassion and of benevolence. When we hurt another person, we hurt ourselves.

What we have achieved within the wider community has been phenomenal. To have presented the MCF with over £1.2m and distributed over £120,000 to Shropshire charities during the pandemic made us all feel justifiably proud. Since the pandemic we have been delighted to welcome a record number of new members to Freemasonry in Shropshire.

Roger

 

Provincial Grand Master for Shropshire

Grand Superintendent of the Royal Arch Province of Shropshire.

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Don’t wait to be asked!

If you share our enthusiasm and values, are 18 or over, would like to find out more and maybe even join us, we would be happy to hear from you. Please fill in the form (right) and Keith will be in touch (probably by phone). Alternatively please see our direct contacts below.

Keith Arscott, Membership Officer

Keith Arscott, Membership Officer

 

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