Free & Accepted Masons of Ohio

The Free & Accepted Masons of Ohio, also known as the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio, is a prominent nonprofit organization that serves as the governing body for Masonic lodges across the state of Ohio. This organization is rooted in the history of Freemasonry in the United States, having been established in 1808.

Formation and History

The Grand Lodge was formed from a convention of five of the six Masonic lodges that were operating in Ohio at the time. This convention took place from January 4 to January 8, 1808, in Chillicothe, Ohio, where General Rufus Putnam was elected as the first Grand Master. Freemasonry in Ohio predates the state's admission into the Union, with records indicating the first lodge meeting occurred in Marietta in 1790, making Ohio's Masonic history one of the oldest in the United States[1][2].

Six lodges established under charters from various states were integral to the formation of the Grand Lodge. These included:

• American Union Lodge No. 1, chartered in 1776 by the Provincial Grand Lodge of New England, which became permanently settled in 1790.
• Cincinnati Lodge No. 13, chartered in 1806 by the Grand Lodge of Kentucky.
• Erie Lodge No. 47 and New England Lodge No. 48, both chartered by the Grand Lodge of Connecticut in 1803.
• Lodge of Amity No. 105, chartered by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in 1805.
• Scioto Lodge No. 2, also chartered by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in 1805[4][5].

Current Structure

As of 2023, the Grand Lodge of Ohio reports a membership of approximately 75,000 Masons, making it one of the largest Masonic organizations in the United States. The Grand Lodge oversees around 450 local lodges throughout the state[2][4].

Recognition and Relations

In a significant development for inclusivity within the Masonic community, the Grand Lodge of Ohio recognized the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio in 1995. This recognition allowed both lodges to acknowledge each other as legitimate Masonic bodies, fostering a spirit of fraternity and collaboration in the pursuit of communal goals[4].

Masonic Principles and Activities

The Free & Accepted Masons of Ohio operate under the principles of brotherly love, relief, and truth, which are central to Freemasonry. The organization is dedicated to charitable activities, community service, and the moral and spiritual development of its members. It plays an important role in promoting fellowship among its members and engaging in various philanthropic endeavors aimed at benefiting the wider community[4][5].

The organization continues to thrive, adapting to modern societal changes while maintaining the traditions and values that have defined Freemasonry for centuries.