Frequently Asked Questions
If you have further questions, please feel free to ask any Mason or contact us by phone, fax or e-mail. We'll do our best to help
What is freemasonry? What is a Mason?
A freemason, or mason, is a member of an ancient fraternity known as Freemasonry. The origins of freemasonry are not well documented but the first Grand Lodge became public in 1717 and there has been a continuous line of records since then.
No. This is covered in detail on many many other masonic sites. All Masons profess a belief in God and this is one of the basic requirements for membership. We do not require, or even ask about, membership in a particular church or faith.
No. If it were, it would be one of the worst kept secrets in history. The only secrets kept within a lodge are our methods of recognition. Yes, there is a secret handshake.
Why are there good people who are saying such bad things about masons and masonry?
Historically, there have been problems between the Masons and several of the organized religions. This has included a papal bull denouncing us and a litany of charges about what we say and do. The Catholic Church agreed decades ago that there is no heresy in masonry and that their members are welcome to join. There are other churches and cults that seem to feel that Masons are engaged in religious and anti-religious activities that are in conflict with their faith. There is not enough space here to address each concern individually but there is much information on both sides scattered throughout the web. Here are a few interesting URL's that may be helpful.
Who cares? Why would anyone want to be a mason when there is so much good stuff on TV?
No one ever actually asks this question but it is the root of a lot of trouble. Masonry, like any other fraternity takes time, it takes effort, and it takes emotional energy. Putting on a suit and going downtown to meet with a bunch of old geezers (excuse me, elderly gentlemen) and recreate ancient rituals together is an unusual way to spend your precious time. What we gain from it is different for each member but the benefits include an opportunity to meet as equals with men of every age and every walk of life and the opportunity to learn to speak publicly and skillfully in an environment of friends. We provide the opportunity to learn more about the character of your own ancestors who may have been masons; as well as the principles that shaped the United States and other countries around the globe. We provide an avenue to the Shriners, the Eastern Star, De Molay, and many other excellent organizations that require masonic affiliation. We provide an incentive to finally learn to use that VCR to record the TV shows that are broadcast on your lodge night for later viewing. Oh, and we have free food every lodge night.
What does it cost?
The initiation fees for Denver Lodge #5 are $100 including the first year's dues. The dues for 2010 are $52.
How do I join?
Ask any mason.Or read our Website.
Naturally we feel that Denver Lodge #5 is the best in the city but there are dozens of other excellent lodges you can join. Any member of any recognized lodge can come to any of our meetings and is welcome at any of our events. You should join a lodge that is convenient to your home or work, or that has members who you know and like. Perhaps both. If you need help finding a lodge, contact the Grand Lodge of Colorado (or whatever region is applicable for you). They will be happy to help you out. I who am called the webmaster found admission through this web site.
Why can't women become Masons?
Since the beginning Masonry has been an organization about and for men. In recent years many other groups that have historically been open only to men have begun to accept women. Masons have been one of the few holdouts to this trend. We believe that it is important for men to have an environment where they can relate to each other as men. Allowing women to join would substantially change this. There are many places where men and women can meet together, there are almost none left where men can meet alone.
What about minorities?
Masonry has always been open to members of all ethnic groups.
What is AF& AM? Are there other kinds of masons?
The AF&AM in our name stands for Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons. This is a designation of our affiliation with the Grand Lodge of Colorado AF&AM and with all other AF&AM Grand Lodges. There are other Grand Lodges that are not part of this system. Some, such as the Prince Hall Grand Lodges, are recognized by the Grand Lodge of Colorado as valid lodges. Their members are welcomed at all AF&AM lodge functions. There are other organizations that use the Masonic names that are not recognized by the Grand Lodge and their members are not considered to be masons.
What does the number mean? Why is Colorado's oldest lodge #5 and not #1?
Every lodge has both a name and a number that is unique under the Grand Lodge. The number is assigned by the Grand Lodge in the order that the charters were issued. #1 goes to the first chartered lodge, #2 to the second, etc.
Denver #5 was originally created as Auraria Lodge by the Grand Lodge of Kansas in 1859 when Colorado was still part of the Kansas Territory. In 1860, Congress created the Colorado Territory from parts of the old Kansas and Nebraska territories. Shortly thereafter the Grand Lodge of Colorado was formed. This meant that Auraria was no longer under the jurisdiction of Kansas and the paperwork was transferred to the new Grand Lodge of Colorado. Due to an assortment of snafus, this transfer took several months to accomplish and by the time it arrived they had already issued 4 other charters. In the meantime, the town of Auraria had changed its name to Denver and so we were granted a charter as Denver Lodge #5 in 1861. Clear as mud huh?
What is a lodge? Who is the Grand Lodge of Colorado? What about other Grand Lodges?
A lodge is the name given to a group of masons. Lodges consist of anywhere from 7 to a few thousand men who all meet at a particular place and time. The Grand Lodge of Colorado is the governing body for all of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons in Colorado. The Grand Lodge is made up of the principal officers of all of the constituent lodges in the state. There is a Grand Lodge in every state as well as most other countries and each cover a particular territory. These Grand Lodges are the final word about how masonry will be conducted in their area. Although the Grand Master's (The leader of the Grand Lodge's) meet and compare policies throughout the year, there is no overseeing body above the Grand Lodges.
If masonry isn't a religion, why do masons call people "Worshipful" and buildings "Temples"?
Masonry has been around since at least the 16th century and much of the ritual work and names were created long ago. In old English, the word "Worshipful" was used in the same way that the word "Honorable" would be used today. For lack of any compelling reason to change, masons prefer to use the old word because that is the way we have historically done it. "Temple" was a word used to represent any building deserving of respect. This included most public buildings, courts, civic centers, churches, and buildings where masons met. As with other words, we prefer to use the historic definitions.
How can I get information about an ancestor who I believe was a member of Denver lodge #5?
Contact the secretary or the master. They will lead you from there. Please be prepared to give as much information as possible but in particular we will need the correct spelling of his name, and some idea about the dates of his membership.
How do I get a Denver #5 scholarship and are there any restrictions on how I can spend it?
See the scholarship section on this web page. You must contact any member of Denver Lodge #5 for a sponsorship. You must spend it on higher education at a Colorado school.
What is the difference between a lodge and a temple?
A lodge is a group of men. A Temple is a building where they meet.
Can we help a widow of one of our members?
Maybe. Contact the secretary or the master. We will do our best to help out. Part of our basic charter involves caring for widows and orphans. Naturally, our ability to help depends on what your specific problems may be and what resources we have available.
