Grand Lodge of Connecticut

Infobox_Grand_Lodge
name=Grand Lodge of Connecticut A.F. & A.M.
motto-latin=


caption=Seal of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut A.F. & A.M.
established=May, 1789
jurisdiction=Connecticut
grand-master=Robert J. Stika
location=Wallingford, Connecticut
country=USA
website=http://www.ctfreemasons.net/The Grand Lodge of Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of the State of Connecticut, is the main governing body of Freemasonry in the U.S. state of Connecticut as recognized by the United Grand Lodge of England. The Grand Lodge of Connecticut is headquartered at Wallingford, Connecticut. The Grand Master for the 2008-2009 term is Robert J. Stika.

History

Freemasonry began in Connecticut in 1750. David Wooster was the charter Master of "The Lodge at New Haven," which later became Hiram Lodge No. 1. This lodge was formed under warrant from St. John's Provincial Grand Lodge at Boston.

The Grand Lodge of Connecticut was founded in May 1789 with Pierpont Edwards as its first Grand Master. At the founding of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut, it had 14 lodges with five more being chartered in the following two years. The first lodge chartered by the Grand Lodge of Connecticut was Moriah Lodge No. 15 in Brooklyn Connecticut constituted on October 15, 1790.

Membership

As in most Masonic jurisdictions, membership in a Masonic Lodge under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut is open to any male over 18 years of age who believes in a Supreme Being and is of sound moral character. One member of a Local Lodge being petitioned must be willing to sign his petition as Recommender, and any other Master Mason must sign as Avoucher. His election is by unanimous consent. In addition, Connecticut Lodges require a candidate to be a Connecticut resident for at least one year.

Prince Hall Freemasonry in Connecticut

On October 14, 1989, the Grand Lodge of Connecticut became the first Mainstream Grand Lodge in the United States to formally recognize Prince Hall Freemasonry. However, both Grand Lodges have yet to allow dual-membership rights for its members.

Notable Connecticut Freemasons

*Benedict Arnold - Hiram Lodge No. 1, New Haven
*Samuel Colt - St. John's Lodge, Hartford
*Pierpont Edwards - Hiram Lodge No. 1, New Haven
*Israel Putnam
*Rob Simmons - Coastal Lodge No. 57, Stonington

External links

* [http://www.ctfreemasons.net/ Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Connecticut]
* [http://www.mwphglct.org The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Connecticut]
* [http://www.masonicare.org/ Masonicare]
* [http://www.ctfreemasons.net/Backup/s_c_sep03/s_c_sep03_pg5.html A Short History of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut A.F. & A.M.]