The Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Ohio

The Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Ohio, commonly known as the Grand Lodge of Ohio, is a prominent Masonic organization established in the early 19th century. It serves as the governing body for Freemasonry within the state of Ohio and follows the Anglo-American tradition of Freemasonry widely practiced in the United States.

History

The Grand Lodge of Ohio was formally established in 1808. The foundation was laid between January 4 and January 8, 1808, when five of the six active Masonic lodges in Ohio convened at the statehouse in Chillicothe. This convention marked the unification of these lodges under a single grand lodge to coordinate and promote Masonic activities in the state.

Brother Rufus Putnam, a leading citizen and Mason with nearly twenty years of experience, was chosen as the first Grand Master of Ohio on January 7, 1808. Although he declined to serve due to age and health concerns, his influence shaped the early direction of the Grand Lodge, which progressed under the leadership of the Deputy Grand Master during that year.

Freemasonry in Ohio grew alongside the development of the state. Lodges expanded into new communities, and the fraternity's traditions and charitable activities took shape. An early example of Masonic architecture is the Masonic hall built in 1820 for the New England Lodge in Worthington, recognized as the longest continually serving Masonic building west of the Allegheny Mountains. After World War I, large Masonic temples were constructed in Ohio’s major cities, reflecting the urban growth and industrialization of the region. Membership numbers have fluctuated in line with demographic and economic changes in the state.

The origins of Freemasonry in Ohio trace back even earlier, with initial lodges operating under dispensations from other grand lodges such as Massachusetts and Pennsylvania before the formation of an independent Ohio Grand Lodge. The fraternity has played a significant cultural and social role in Ohio's history since the late 18th century.

Prince Hall Recognition

On October 20, 1995, the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Ohio officially recognized the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio, an African-American Masonic body with its own distinct history. This recognition agreement established mutual fraternal relations, allowing members of each Grand Lodge to visit the other’s lodges and fostering harmony and brotherly relations between both organizations within Ohio.

This landmark agreement underscored the regularity and legitimacy of both Grand Lodges and reaffirmed their shared commitment to the Masonic principles of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.

Significance

The Grand Lodge of Ohio continues to be a central institution for Freemasonry in the state, overseeing numerous lodges and Masonic activities. It has a long heritage closely linked with Ohio's social and civic development, promoting moral and intellectual improvement among its members and engaging in various charitable endeavors.

The Grand Lodge maintains traditions dating back more than two centuries, reflecting both the growth of Freemasonry in Ohio and its enduring role in the community and culture of the state.

Note: The organization described corresponds to the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Ohio, historically founded in 1808 and recognized as the primary Masonic authority in Ohio.