Speaking Masonic Week

I'll be speaking in the Washington, D.C. area during Masonic Week. On the evening of Tuesday, February 5th, I'll be at Patriot Lodge No. 1957 at Henry Masonic Temple, 10503 Oak Place, in Fairfax, Virginia.

Then, on Thursday, February 7th, I'll be speaking at the Rosicrucian banquet at the Reston Hyatt near Dulles Airport at 7:00PM, as part of the official Masonic Week festivities.

WB Alton G. Roundtree Spring 2013 Truman Lecturer

Alton G. Roundtree will speak on the history and development of Prince Hall Freemasonry as the Spring 2013 Truman Lecturer on Saturday, May 4th, 2013. His presentation will be followed by a Q&A session. Grand Lodge Complex, Columbia, MO. $20 lunch and lecture.

Alton is, along with Paul M. Bessel, author of the bestseller and internationally acclaimed book, "Out of the Shadows: The Emergence of Prince Hall Freemasonry in America (Over 225 Years of Endurance)." He is also author of The National Grand Lodge and Prince Hall Freemasonry: The Untold Truth. Alton is in the process of completing a book on the history (Prince Hall Freemasonry in the District of Columbia – 1822-2012: History of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge) of Prince Hall Freemasonry in the District of Columbia. He is also in the process of completing a book on the History of the Prince Hall Conference of Grand Masters.

Alton G. Roundtree is the President of KLR Publishing. Alton retired from the United States Air Force after a 20 year career. After retiring from the Air Force, he worked for the Mitre Corporation and Northrup Grumman.

Alton has received accolades from around the world as Editor of the award-winning Prince Hall Masonic Digest, a 48-page quarterly Masonic newspaper, which world-class writer Dr. S. Brent Morris referred to as among the best Masonic publications in the world." He has written many articles for the Prince Hall Masonic Digest. Alton is also the new editor of the Phylaxis Magazine.

Alton began his editorial and publishing career in the United States Air Force where he acquired his skills in editing, publishing and printing. On several Air Force assignments around the country and world he was Chief of the Publishing Division. Alton wrote and edited numerous Air Force publications.

A voracious reader and researcher, Alton has written numerous articles published in local newspapers, among them a Masonic column in the popular Washington-Afro-American newspaper chain. He received his B.A. degree from the University of Minnesota in Duluth; a Masters degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C.; and worked on a Ph.D. at American University in Washington, D.C.

Alton has been invited to speak at a number of conventions and meetings including the Philalethes Society, Phylaxis Society, Blue Friars, and Academy of Masonic Knowledge of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

Alton was raised a Master Mason in 1978, and in 1991 he became Worshipful Master of Redemption Lodge No. 24, the largest Lodge in the Washington, D.C. Prince Hall Jurisdiction. His Lodge was named Lodge of the Year under his stewardship. Soon afterward he held several key positions in the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, among them: Computer Systems Officer, Director of Public Relations, Chairman of the Information Management Committee, Assistant Grand Secretary, Director of the Computer Training Center, Editor of the Masonic Digest, and Vice Chairman of the Prince Hall Recognition Committee. He has received numerous awards from the Grand Lodge including Master Mason of the Year, Journalistic Excellence Award, Perfect Ashlar Award and many superior service awards. In 2010, Alton received the Prince Hall Grand Lodge’s highest award, The S. Matthew Hendershott Award. He is also a member of the Jonathan Davis Consistory No. 1, Mecca Temple No. 10 (Shriners), Mt. Vernon Chapter No. 1 (Holy Royal Arch Masons), Henderson Commandery, and Redemption Chapter No. 14 of the Order of Eastern Star. He is a 33rd Degree Mason.

As vice chairman of the Recognition Committee, Alton has been at the table with District of Columbia mainstream Masons for Prince Hall Recognition on three occasions; the Grand Lodges, Holy Royal Arch Masons, and Cryptic Masons.

Alton was Worshipful Master (2009-2012) of the David A. McWilliams, Sr. Research & Education Lodge of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia.

Alton is a member of two distinguished Masonic Groups, Society of Blue Friars (2011) and Masonic Brotherhood of the Blue Forget-Me-Not (2008). Other affiliations include the Philalethes Society, Masonic Society (Fellow), and Phylaxis Society (Fellow).

For tickets, click here:

South Carolina Suspends Relations With Shriners International

MW Jay Adam Pearson, Grand Master of South Carolina, has now fired a broadside at the Imperial Shrine, joining Arkansas. Because of the Shrine's refusal to expel Masons who have been suspended or expelled by their grand lodges, he has issued the following edict:

"Effective immediately, no Mason in the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient free Masons of South Carolina shall attend or participate in any Shrine Ceremonial, Club, and Unit meeting to include the 2013 Imperial Session of Shriners International to be held in Indianapolis Indiana with expelled masons present...Failure to obey will result in expulsion from Freemasonry and all organizations which Masonic membership is predicated."

Click images to enlarge.

Dignified Lodge Practices Approved in Colorado

Karl J. Hinkle, Grand Master of Colorado, has issued an official decision encouraging chambers of reflection, processions and chains of union. According to Grand Master Hinkle,

Some have raised objections to these practices, voicing various objections. These practices do not constitute "innovations in the body of Masonry," as some have asserted. Nor are they the "property" of other appendant and concordant organizations.

Therefore, it is my Decision that practices to include, but not be limited to, chambers of reflection, processions of officers and brethren into and out of a Lodge room, and chains of union are authorized in the Grand Lodge of Colorado. Indeed, these practices and similar observances are to be encouraged, as they dignify and adorn the Masonic experience of our brethren. They are to be decidedly Masonic in content, character, or style. In order not to conflict with the ritual as authorized by the Custodians of the Work, these embellishments are to be conducted prior to the opening gavel rap or after the closing gavel rap of a Lodge meeting. Were the Custodians of the Work to revise the ritual at some future date to include any such practices or observances, and the grand Lodge were to adopt such revisions, such would become a part of the approved ritual."

Click image to enlarge. H/T to Cliff Porter.

Masonic Society Annual Meeting and Banquet Looming Fast

The intrepid Secretary of the Masonic Society, Nathan Brindle, reminds me that the deadline for purchasing tickets to our 5th Annual Meeting and Banquet at Masonic Week 2013 is rapidly approaching. If you're interested in attending and haven't yet purchased a ticket, please go to http://yorkrite.org/MasonicWeek IMMEDIATELY to do so. The organizers must receive your check before January 31, 2013.

There won't be any tickets available at the door, so this is the time and this is the place.

The event will be at the Reston Hyatt in Reston, Virginia on Friday, February 8th.

Our speaker will be Andrew Hammer, author of Observing The Craft.

Rectified Rite of the Grand Encampment Officially Disbanded

Most Eminant Grand Master David D. Goodwin of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States has issued General Order No. 4, officially folding the tent of the Rectified Rite (CBCS). As a member of the RER, I am gravely disappointed in this development, and am saddened that both sides could not come to a settlement that would have allowed both of the groups to coexist.

So who do I write to to get my $700 back?

Click image to enlarge.

St. John's Bible

My friend Piers Vaughan, Master of New York's St. John's Lodge No. 1, is interviewed by CBS for the famous bible used by George Washington at the first inaugural.

University Lodge, Austin, TX

I will be speaking tonight at University Lodge No. 1190 in Austin, TX, located at 311 West 7th Street. It is their fourth annual Festive Board. For information contact WM Roger Glick.

CORRECTION: This event wil be at the Austin Club at 6:00PM

Iberian Center for Masonic Studies International Competition

The Iberian Center for Masonic Studies (CIEM) calls all Spanish, Portuguese, English and French speaking masons to participate in the First International Competition of Masonic Essay, which will take place in 2013.

The aim of this competition is to promote the investigation of the following themes:

• the historical development of the Masonic Order;

• the intrinsic values of Freemasonry;

• the defense and preservation of our patrimony.

1. The competition is open to all Masons, without distinction.

2. The official languages of the competition are Spanish, Portuguese, English and French.

3. The essays presented must be unpublished and three printed copies are to be sent, double-spaced, typed in 12-point Times Font, in letter-sized sheets. Also, the electronic file must be enclosed in a compact disc.

4. The essays should not exceed 10.000 words.

5. The essays should begin on the second page. This page and all the following should not contain information susceptible of identifying the author.

6. The essays should appear undersigned with a pseudonym, enclosing, in another envelope, a card containing the name, address, telephone number and e-mail address of the author. The envelope will bear the chosen pseudonym. The originals presented will not be returned.

7. The bibliography should be enclosed as an annex with the essay.

8. The authors should include a certificate drawn up by the Secretary of their Lodge, attesting to their affiliation and membership to a Masonic Jurisdiction.

9. The essays should be sent to the following address: Centro Ibérico de Estudios Masónicos (CIEM), Apartado de correos 6.203, 28080 – Madrid (Spain) or via e-mail at: ciem.madrid@gmail.com

10. The deadline for presenting essays is the 1st of December, 2013.

11. The prize will be communicated on the 22nd of December, 2013.

12. The jury, made up by Master Masons, will award a first and only prize consisting of a diploma proving their condition as the winner of the competition, as well as the amount of 250 Euros.

13. The jury may, in the case of it being justified by the quality and interest of other essays, concede an accessit or declare the prize void if the essays do not meet the required quality standards.

14. The essays chosen will be published in the web site www.cienmas.org and transmitted, electronically as well as in print, to the Grand Lodges and the main Masonic institutions.

For further information, contact the Secretariat of the Competition at the following e-mail address: ciem.madrid@gmail.com or by post to the Centro Ibérico de Estudios Masónicos (Iberian Centre for Masonic Studies) CIEM, International Competition of Essay, Apartado de correos 6.203, 28080 – Madrid (España) 

Showdown With The Shrine In South Carolina

Below is a very respectful and detailed (and widely circulated) letter from Jay Adam Pearson, Grand Master of South Carolina to Alan Madsen, Imperial Potentate of Shriners International, requesting Madsen to either remove all suspended South Carolina Masons from the Shrine's rolls or to sever the Masonic connection as an appendant body. The letter speaks for itself. This, in conjunction with the very public mess in Arkansas, could spell the beginning of the separation of the Shrine from Freemasonry. We shall see. (Click each page to enlarge.)

My Mother Lodge

The officers of my mother lodge, Broad Ripple No. 643 in Indianapolis, were installed yesterday. Congratulations to Matt Scherer, Paul Lee Hargitt, Doug Eckhart, Jacob Mann, Neal Bennett, WM Ben Fuhr, Matthew Griffin, Derek Osgood, Matthew Davis, Tim Brinkmeyer and Michael August Walkup. A fine looking lineup, and remarkably young for a lodge these days. I'm proud of them all.

Grand Lodge of BC&Y: Grand Masonic Day

The Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon and the Vancouver Lodge of Education and Research are sponsoring Grand Masonic Day Saturday, January 19, 2013 from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm, at 1495 West Eighth Avenue, Vancouver BC.

Offering a diverse range of practical and thought-provoking content, complete with a panel discussion moderated by their Grand Historian, VW Bro. Trevor W. McKeown.

This year's speakers:

W. Bro Adam Kendall

Historian and Curator of the Grand Lodge of California’s Henry Wilson Coil Library &Museum of Freemasonry. “The Aesthetic Traditions of Freemasonry”

Dr. Gordan Djurdjevic,

Simon Fraser University Humanities Department.

“Western and eastern esoteric studies.”

W. Bro Ken Lane

Esoterika Lodge No. 316, Seattle.

“The Chamber of Reflection and the Traditional Observance Lodge Movement”

W. Bro Dalbir Daliwal

“The Forgotten Working Tools of Modern Freemasons.”

W. Bro Wes Regan, Host and panel discussion participant.

Luncheon address to be given by the Junior Grand Warden, RW Bro. Douglas C. Collins

Tickets include morning refreshments and lunch.

$30 advance / $35 at the door,

Tickets available online at http://gmd2013.eventbrite.ca/
or from W. Bro. Wes Regan

Grand Masonic Day Coördinator, wes.regan@shaw.ca  604.805.3591

The Quarry Project September 27-29, 2013

The Masonic Society and the Masonic Library and Museum Association have come together to sponsor The Quarry Project, a conference and workshop on Masonic research and preservation, to be held at the George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia on September 27–29, 2013. The conference will draw from both the Masonic and academic communities to provide detailed instruction on Masonic research and the editing of the results. Additionally, a set of voluntary standards for future Masonic research, writing, and editing will be introduced. Professional librarians, museum curators, and experts on display and preservation will provide practical instruction and advice on maintaining and improving Masonic historical repositories. Multiple concurrent presentations will be offered on all three days. A few success stories that will enthuse and inspire you will be mixed in along the way.

Topics will include:

Masonic Research and Writing
Research methods, primary and secondary sources, citations
Writing styles for different publications
Writing for different audiences
Interviewing techniques for oral histories
Recommended publishing standards
Editing quotes, sources, and scripts
Publishing ethics and etiquette

Museums and Archives
Building and using an artifact database
Basic preservation and presentation
Photographs
Collections policies
Archival preservation

Masonic Libraries and Archives
Cataloging systems – Masonic vs non-Masonic
Online databases – OCLC, WorldCat
Digitizing of proceedings and other materials
Presentation and preservation of printed and written material

Go here for the preliminary schedule and list of participants. The conference is open to anyone interested in Masonic research and preservation, but will be specifically targeted toward two groups: (i) members of Masonic lodges of research as wcll as authors, writers, and researchers, both published and aspiring, and (ii) Masonic librarians and museum curators.

New Edition of Freemasons For Dummies Available in January

The new, revised edition of Freemasons For Dummies hits stores and Amazon.com on Monday, January 29th, 2013. If yours is dog-eared and worn, or has been absconded by a well intentioned brother who fully intended to return it to you, here's a chance to score a new copy, complete with a spiffy new cover, which I took at the Grand Lodge of Washington, D.C.'s headquarters several years ago. Thanks to everyone who has made the book a hit, almost from the start.

Masonic Society at Masonic Week 2013

The Officers and the Board of Directors cordially invite you to attend
The Fifth Annual Dinner and Meeting
of
The Masonic Society
At Masonic Week 2013
The Hyatt Regency Hotel
Reston, Virginia
Friday Evening, February 8, 2013
6:00 PM







Featured Speaker:
Andrew Hammer
Past Master, Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22, A.F.& A.M.
Author, Observing the Craft

All Freemasons and Ladies are Welcome!

Please make all reservations through the Masonic Week 2013 Website at http://yorkrite.org/MasonicWeek

PLEASE NOTE:
The Masonic Society will not have tickets for sale.
All tickets MUST be purchased in advance from the Masonic Week organizers.
Tickets will NOT be available at the door.
RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE AND CHECKS RECEIVED BY THE MASONIC WEEK STAFF BY JANUARY 31, 2013.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Masonic Week Hospitality Suite

The Society will once again sponsor a hospitality suite at Masonic Week 2013. Please check at our membership table for the room number.

Message for Arkansas Shriners

Imperial Potentate Alan Madsen's Video Message for Arkansas Shriners

Freemasons Gaining Popularity in Asia

Freemasons are gaining popularity in Asia, according to an article on the Telegraph website.

From "Freemasons grow in popularity in Asia" by Justin Harper:

British-born Australian Nick Jacobs, 41, is an example of the new breed of Freemasons helping to grow the membership. He said: “It definitely has an attraction to expats as you get to meet up with people in a strange city and very quickly they are like brothers to you. And these are people you wouldn’t normally be friends with as they are outside the expat community.” 

He added: “There are many older gentlemen who are active Freemasons in Singapore but we are finding that we are also attracting a much younger demographic of expats and locals.” 

Freemasons in Asia regularly take part in social activities such as inter-lodge paintballing sessions and pub quizzes. 

Singapore has eight English lodges and is part of a district that includes Malaysia and Thailand. Many countries in Asia are seeing a spike in popularity for the Freemasons, especially those nations with colonial roots and established lodges. 

Dennis Heath, a British expat and Freemason in Singapore, added: “We see a lot of expats passing through Singapore who want to come to the lodge where they know they will be welcomed warmly. We also have expats who were previously part of a lodge back in the UK, along with those joining for the first time. The traditions and history of the Freemasons has a strong appeal in the fast-paced, digital world we live in.”

Read more here.

"Builders of Dreams: The California Masonic Experience

A short video, Builders of Dreams: The California Masonic Experience, is available on YouTube.

PGM Stifani Suspended

According to the Romanian Masonic Press Agency, Jean-Pierre Servel, the new Grand Master of Grande Loge Nationale Française decided on December 4, 2012, to suspend Past Grand Master François Stifani.

Stifani was suspended for unethical Masonic conduct, violation of fundamental rules, attempt against the Fundamental Principles of the Craft and attempting against the image and proper functioning of the French National Grand Lodge.
According to this decree, Stifani is forbidden to attend GLNF's Lodge meetings, the Annual Communication and Board of General Purposes. After years of internal struggle, Stifani is temporarily removed from GLNF, which may indicate that Servel wants to show to the United Grand Lodge of England that GLNF can have once again credibility.

Neal Bidnick, PGM of New York, Restored to Membership

James E. Sullivan, Grand Master of New York, has lifted the suspension of Past Grand Master Neal Bidnick (2006-2008) and restored to hime the full rights and privileges of a Master Mason. He has found that Bidnick did not commit an act of "moral turpitude" or "scandal or degradation of the fraternity in the public eye." Further, he says that "no larceny or misappropriation of funds occurred and in fact the notice announcing those findings, sent out by the Grand Secretary's office in April 2012, was misleading and incorrect." "The Masonic misfortune of trials, suspension, and expulsion fell upon our Past Grand Master when he was also suffering under extreme personal distress with respect to a matter which involved his wife. This was a time when brothers should have come to his aid to ease the distress, rather than inflame it."

"The Life Masonic" Podcast

Check out Jason Van Dyke's regular podcast, "The Life Masonic" on the Scottish Rite website. Click here. There are interviews and philosophical discussions, along with practical advice. Twelve episodes so far.

From this month's episode description:

our guest this month is Scott Gillis. He's just a guy. He's like any other guy you'll meet in your Lodge, or your church, or your pub. But Scott has a way of telling a story. And the story is of his life so far. He never seems to find the easy way, but he's turned out pretty well. He has always found a way to triumph over the adversity in his life. And that story, to me, has a kind of casual inspiration. It's not super hero stuff, but its stuff I know I could learn from and do better with in my own life. I hope you think so too.

GM of Florida Expels Wiccans, Gnostics and Others

In a surprising and unprecedented move, the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons of the State of Florida, Jorge L. Aladro has effectively expelled from the Craft all Pagans, Wiccans, Gnostics, Agnostics and members of other non-Christian or pre-Christian religious belief systems. In his Ruling and Decision No. 3, dated November 26, 2012, the Grand Master issued an ultimatum to any member of the aforementioned groups: Resign from the Craft, or face trial and expulsion from Florida Freemasonry.

To read the Grand Master’s ruling and decision, click here.

Journal of the Masonic Society Issue #17 Gone to Press

The latest issue of the Journal of the Masonic Society is at the printers now. Articles include:

• The World’s Freemasonry by Thomas W. Jackson
• Introducing “The Widow’s Son” Cigar by Michael Nemeth
• A Selection of Masonic Acrostic Poetry by Stephen M. Osborn
• Why Hiram? by Leon Zeldis
• The Masonic Conservators by Thomas L. Winter
• The Philadelphia Masonic Temple photos by Michael Stein
• Cover art by Juan Sepulveda

Not a member of the Masonic Society yet? Sign up now at www.themasonicasociety.com

MSA Disaster Relief Appeal for New York and New Jersey

The Masonic Service Association has issued an appeal to help the Masonic victims of Hurricane Sandy:

The entire Atlantic Coast of the United States was buffeted in the last few days of October by the winds and waves of Hurricane Sandy, described by the news media as a "super storm." After crossing the shoreline in New Jersey, the storm continued inland.  Extensive building and property damage, electrical outages, unhealthy conditions cause by flooding, and widespread disruption of normal living conditions have occurred in a multi-state region. 

In particular, New York City and the coastal areas of New Jersey felt the brunt of Sandy.  The Grand Lodges of New York and New Jersey have requested a Disaster Appeal to assist their Masonic families who have been injured or who have received extensive damage to their homes. 

Please forward any donations you feel appropriate to the MSA. When remitting funds, please mark your check that you wish the donation to go to New York or New Jersey.  Unmarked funds will be divided equally between the two Grand Lodges.  

Make checks payable to MSA Disaster Relief Fund and send to: 

Masonic Service Association of North America8120 Fenton Street, Suite 203, Silver Spring, MD 20910-4785. 

MSA is a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization. 

Thank you for your assistance for these stricken jurisdictions.  

Sincerely and fraternally,  

George O. Braatz, P.G.M.Executive Secretary

Hackers Attack Masonic CHIP Sites

From The Hacker News:

A group of computer hackers Anonymous goes by the name xPsych0path has accuse Masonichip for unwillingness to accept the forced chipping of children they are working toward mitigating it by disrupting the chipping operation. They have built their own operation, in opposition to this issue. In #OpMasonChip is designed to express publicly their anger. He had the following to say about this operation;

“We are fighting against putting RFID chips inside children by masons they have plan to put chips in all of us and those who don't want it won't be able to buy and sell. So I down all those site's for them” on pastebin.

"But In actual there is no "chip" in Masonichip as it stands for Masonic Child Identification Program and includes Abduction Awareness and "Safe Kids" Education benefits to all children and parents attend events and participate." Masonichip explained on their site.

Sites attacked were
1. http://masonichip.org/
2. http://mychip.org/
3. http://www.masonichip.ca/
4. http://www.mainemason.org/
5. http://www.illinoisfreemason.org/ilchip.html
6. http://www.keywestmason.com/child_id.htm
7. http://www.mdchip.org/
8. http://www.kschip.org/

International Order of Co-Masonry Recruiting

If you think we're the only ones attempting to recruit new members, catch this article about England's International Order of Co-Masonry in the Independent.

From Freemasons Launch Recruitment Drive For Young Women:

Nikki Roberts is someone a teacher might call a good “all-rounder”: smart, pretty, lots of friends. Aged 31, she is also a far cry from your typical Freemason. But that, if the Federation of the International Order of Co-Freemasonry has its way, is about to change.
Forget secretive circles of white-haired men locking fingers in strange handshakes, they say. A British branch is in the throes of a thoroughly modern recruitment drive. It is using Facebook and Twitter to sign up new members, particularly young women, to its society.
“A lot of people have misconceptions about what Masonry is,” Ms Roberts says. Not surprising, given that for centuries members of this traditionally male club have refused to divulge what goes on behind closed doors in meetings and ceremonies. “I can say that it [the Freemasons] is an association, a fellowship if you like, dictated by a system of morals, with lot of symbols and philosophy...” Roberts explains. She compares it to an “occult”: “You need to believe in a divine intelligence or supreme being.”
Since joining the Freemasons five years ago, Roberts says her life has been transformed. “I gave up a lucrative job in the City and now I work in health and social care, something more rewarding,” she says. While cohorts at her lodge (one of the only mixed gender orders in the world, the British Federation) range from party-planners to nurses – many of them female – there are other common elements among members, she says. “The kind of people it draws are interested in being good people; we have respect for laws, we like giving to charity... we live by certain morals.” It is a “life-long commitment”, she adds.
The biggest misconception, Roberts says, is that women are not suited to joining the club. “People choose the Masons in order to become more aware and to awaken areas of their mind to their true nature; women, being naturally nurturing and intuitive, are particularly responsive to that.” That, however, is a matter of opinion. Ask Ken Kirk, 86, a former policeman and a member of the strictly-male United Grand Lodge of England and the answer is clear: “Mixed gender orders? Absurd.”

Shrine Declared Clandestine in Arkansas

Robert L. Jackson, Grand Master of Masons in Arkansas, has declared the Shrine clandestine and is forbidding Arkansas and affiliated Arkansas Masons from belonging to the Shrine. (Click to enlarge)

Wilmington, Delaware

I'm driving today to Delaware to the Valley of Wilmington where they will be celebrating the 200th Anniversary of AASR-NMJ and the 100th Anniversary of the Valley of Wilmington.

I'll be speaking Saturday morning. Looking forward to being there!

Illus. Bros. Morris & DeHoyos Speaking In DC

The Lodge of Perfection of the Washington DC Scottish Rite invites all Scottish Rite Masons to attend the October 2nd meeting of Mithras Lodge of Perfection. The "Special Guest Speakers" for the evening will be the Managing Editor of the Scottish Rite Journal, Ill. S. Brent Morris, 33° GC, and the Grand Archivist and Grand Historian, Ill. Arturo de Hoyos, 33° GC. These distinguished Masonic Scholars will be discussing their newly released book, "The Most Secret Mysteries of the High Degrees of Masonry Unveiled". Copies of this new book will be available after the meeting. Dinner will be served starting at 6:15 pm, and the program will open at 7:30 pm. This program is only open for Scottish Rite Brethren 14° and higher.

Los Angeles Scottish Rite Cathedral

The Curbed website in Los Angeles presents a unique article about the abandoned Los Angeles Scottish Rite Cathedral on Wilshire Blvd., written by the architect Millard Sheets.

Have a look here.

The Scottish Rite Masonic Temple on Wilshire is probably the most mysterious Millard Sheets building (and one of the more mysterious in LA). It's been on and off the market for years (currently seems to be off), and seems pretty hard to get inside--when we called to ask about a tour, we were told that we'd need a city permit to visit. According to a 1994 LA Times article, the building "housed National Guard troops during the 1992 riots and has been used for funerals of police officers." Who knows what secrets this place holds? Masons, obviously, are known for being pretty secretive. Either way, the building is super cool; we'll let Sheets tell you the story of what it is and how it got there...

Be sure to look through the photos. It's a magnificent building, with a very uncertain future. It has long been the subject of a battle with the neighborhood over parking, which limits its future use to a potential buyer. It's prime real estate, which probably means a wrecking ball is its fate.