Frequently Asked Questions About Freemasonry

How do you become a Freemason in Maryland?

You become a Freemason in Maryland by petitioning a lodge — submitting a written request for membership, sitting for a brief interview with a lodge committee, and receiving a favorable ballot from the members. Most men begin by asking a Mason they already know; if you don't know one, any Maryland lodge, including Fervency Lodge No. 200 in Point of Rocks, will accept a direct inquiry. From petition to first degree typically takes a few months, since the process includes a background investigation and a vote of the full lodge. See our step-by-step guide to petitioning.

What do Freemasons actually do?

Freemasons meet monthly to conduct lodge business, confer degrees on new members, and study a system of moral instruction taught through allegory and the symbols of the stonemason's trade — the square, the level, the plumb. Outside the lodge room, Freemasons raise funds for local charities, support scholarships, and gather for fellowship and meals with their Brothers. There is no single Masonic "activity" beyond this: the Craft is less a program than a discipline, practiced quietly, over a lifetime, in the company of men committed to becoming better versions of themselves.

How much does it cost to join the Freemasons?

Joining a Masonic lodge requires a one-time initiation fee and modest annual dues, both of which vary by lodge. At Fervency Lodge No. 200, these costs are kept deliberately reasonable and go toward the upkeep of our historic lodge building rather than any profit. Freemasonry is not meant to be a financial burden — a man's obligations to his family and livelihood always come first, and no lodge worth its charter will accept a petitioner who cannot comfortably afford to join.

Do you have to be invited to join a Masonic lodge?

No — you do not need a formal invitation to join a Masonic lodge, though tradition favors the old phrase "ask one to be one." Freemasonry does not recruit or advertise for members the way a club or business might; a man must seek membership of his own free will. In practice, this simply means the first step is yours to take. If you know a Mason, tell him you're interested. If you don't, any lodge — including Fervency Lodge No. 200 — welcomes a direct inquiry from a stranger.

Can anyone join a Masonic lodge?

Not anyone, but the bar is a matter of character rather than background. Maryland requires that a petitioner be an adult man of good moral character who professes a belief in a Supreme Being, though the Craft does not define that belief further — Masons of every faith sit together as Brothers. Beyond that, a lodge looks for men of sound reputation in their community, free of serious legal or financial trouble. Race, occupation, wealth, and education play no part in the decision.

What are the three degrees of Freemasonry?

The three degrees of Freemasonry are Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason, conferred in that order as a man progresses through the Craft. Entered Apprentice represents youth and the beginning of the search for knowledge; Fellow Craft represents manhood and the pursuit of learning; Master Mason, the final degree, teaches lessons of fidelity and mortality through the allegory of Hiram Abiff, builder of King Solomon’s Temple. A man becomes a full voting member of his lodge only after receiving the Master Mason degree.

Is Freemasonry a religion?

No, Freemasonry is not a religion, and it makes no claim to be one. It requires a belief in a Supreme Being but does not define or interpret that belief, does not offer a path to salvation, and does not conduct worship. Members bring their own faith — Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and others — into the lodge room and leave it exactly as they found it. What Freemasonry does provide is a shared moral framework and a fraternity that sits, quite literally, above religious difference.

How long does it take to become a Master Mason?

Most candidates in Maryland complete all three degrees — Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason — within six months to a year, though the pace depends on the individual lodge and the candidate's own schedule. Each degree requires memorizing a short proficiency, a set of questions and answers demonstrating an understanding of the lessons just taught, before the next degree can be conferred. Lodge Brothers typically coach candidates through this material personally, so the timeline is rarely a source of pressure.

What happens at a typical Masonic lodge meeting?

A typical lodge meeting, called a Stated Communication, opens and closes with a short Masonic ritual, includes routine business such as reading minutes and voting on petitions, and often features a brief lecture or discussion on Masonic history or symbolism. Meetings are usually followed by a shared meal and informal fellowship. The tone is structured but unhurried — closer to a gathering of old friends with an agenda than a corporate board meeting — and visiting Masons in good standing are always welcome.

Where is the nearest Masonic lodge in Frederick County, Maryland?

Frederick County is served by four Masonic lodges: Columbia No. 58 and Fredericktonian No. 12 in Frederick city, Brunswick No. 191, and Fervency Lodge No. 200 in Point of Rocks. Read more about Freemasonry across Frederick County. Fervency Lodge meets at 3733 Clay Street, Point of Rocks, on the first Tuesday of every month, and welcomes inquiries from men throughout western Frederick County and beyond. Visit the Fervency Lodge No. 200 homepage to learn more about the lodge itself.