Spring 2025 Issue Out Now: 175 Years
In this issue of California Freemason, we’re celebrating 175 years of incredible Masonic history in this state.
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Making true friends,
improving ourselves, having an impact
Masonry is the world’s first and largest fraternal organization. It is guided by the enduring belief that each man has a responsibility to make the world a better place. For 300 years, Freemasonry has enhanced and strengthened the character of individual men by providing opportunities for fellowship, charity, and the search for truth – within ourselves and the larger world.
Elk Groves Lodge’s mission is to promote personal growth and improve the lives of others. We take responsibility for the well-being of our brothers, our families, and the community as a whole. We value respect, kindness, tolerance, and our differences – religious, ethnic, cultural, generational, and educational, and strive for harmony in our individual lives, in our lodge, and in the global community.
As a lodge, we strive to be active in our community. We have various charitable and educational events throughout the year, as well as social occasions. Some events are for members only, but many include our families. to learn more about our lodge and its history, click here.
Masonry is a community of men and their families who share similar beliefs and values. The fraternity finds it important to connect with other men of honor, compassion, love, trust, and knowledge, regardless of their race, color, religious beliefs, political views, sexual orientation, physical ability, citizenship, or national origin. We are friends and brothers, and are connected through this vital and uplifting organization of moral men.
Our continuing pursuit of truth, knowledge, ethics, and leadership skills makes us better men and brings more meaning to our lives. Learning the tenets of Freemasonry, paired with being an active part of our community, gives us the opportunity to develop leadership and organizational skills, and builds self-discipline through commitment and self-confidence.
As a member of the Freemasons, the Grand Lodge of California, and Elk Grove Lodge No. 173, we are a part of a worldwide organization that values tradition, history, and timeless wisdom. The traditions and core values of our fraternity are meaningful today and will endure for centuries to come because of our direct impact in our community, through our charities, and on a personal level.
Elk Grove Lodge membership is open to men 18 and older who meet the qualifications and standards of character and intention, and who believe in a Supreme Being. Men of all ethnic and religious backgrounds are welcome.
One of Freemasonry’s customs is not to solicit members – men must seek membership on their own initiative. Anyone is welcome to request information about the fraternity.
If you are interested in applying for membership to our lodge, now is a good time to start. Please contact us at elkgrovemasons@gmail.com to schedule a visit during an event, or request more information.
Contact usMay 28, 2025
(Rainbow) Rose Assembly Stated Meeting
May 28, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
POC:
Mrs. Elizabeth Christian, Mother Advisor (916-207-0703)
June 4, 2025
(EG173) Hall Association Meeting
June 4, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Contact the lodge Secretary or Master to determine if meeting is via Zoom or in person
June 10, 2025
(EG173) District SOI
June 10, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Host:
Valley Lodge No. 135
Attendees:
FCs & MMs
Agenda:
Lodge Activity Updates
CMC Rules for Objections & Lodge Consolidations
Ritual:
2nd Degree, 1st Section
Balloting & SD Altar Work
Stewards Degree Work
June 11, 2025
(Rainbow) Rose Assembly Stated Meeting
June 11, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
POC:
Mrs. Elizabeth Christian, Mother Advisor (916-207-0703)
June 12, 2025
(EG173) Stated Meeting/Dinner
June 12, 2025 @ 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Dinner 6:30pm
Meeting 7:30pm
June 25, 2025
(Rainbow) Rose Assembly Stated Meeting
June 25, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
POC:
Mrs. Elizabeth Christian, Mother Advisor (916-207-0703)
June 28, 2025
Rainbow (Membership/Paint Party)
June 28, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
July 2, 2025
(EG173) Hall Association Meeting
July 2, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Contact the lodge Secretary or Master to determine if meeting is via Zoom or in person
July 9, 2025
(Rainbow) Rose Assembly Stated Meeting
July 9, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
POC:
Mrs. Elizabeth Christian, Mother Advisor (916-207-0703)
July 10, 2025
(EG173) Stated Meeting/Dinner
July 10, 2025 @ 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Dinner 6:30pm
Meeting 7:30pm
July 23, 2025
(Rainbow) Rose Assembly Stated Meeting
July 23, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
POC:
Mrs. Elizabeth Christian, Mother Advisor (916-207-0703)
August 6, 2025
(EG173) Hall Association Meeting
August 6, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Contact the lodge Secretary or Master to determine if meeting is via Zoom or in person
August 12, 2025
EG173 (District SOI)
August 12, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Host:
Elk Grove Lodge No. 173
Attendees:
All Masons
Agenda:
Lodge Activity Updates
CMC Requirements for Officer
Qualifications
Ritual:
2nd Degree, 2nd Section
2nd Degree Long Form Close
Balloting & SD Altar Work Stewards Degree Work Work
August 13, 2025
(Rainbow) Rose Assembly Stated Meeting
August 13, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
POC:
Mrs. Elizabeth Christian, Mother Advisor (916-207-0703)
August 14, 2025
(EG173) Stated Meeting/Dinner
August 14, 2025 @ 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Dinner 6:30pm
Meeting 7:30pm
August 15, 2025
(OES) Elk Grove Onisbo Stated
August 15, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
August 27, 2025
(Rainbow) Rose Assembly Stated Meeting
August 27, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
POC:
Mrs. Elizabeth Christian, Mother Advisor (916-207-0703)
September 3, 2025
(EG173) Hall Association Meeting
September 3, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Contact the lodge Secretary or Master to determine if meeting is via Zoom or in person
September 9, 2025
EG173 (District SOI)
September 9, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Host:
Woodbridge Lodge No. 131
Attendees:
MMs
Agenda:
Lodge Activity Updates
Annual Communication
Legislation Review
Ritual:
3rd Degree Opening
3rd Degree 1st Section
Balloting & SD Altar Work
Stewards Degree Work
September 10, 2025
(Rainbow) Rose Assembly Stated Meeting
September 10, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
POC:
Mrs. Elizabeth Christian, Mother Advisor (916-207-0703)
September 11, 2025
(EG173) Stated Meeting/Dinner
September 11, 2025 @ 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Dinner 6:30pm
Meeting 7:30pm
September 19, 2025
(OES) Elk Grove Onisbo Stated
September 19, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
September 24, 2025
(Rainbow) Rose Assembly Stated Meeting
September 24, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
POC:
Mrs. Elizabeth Christian, Mother Advisor (916-207-0703)
October 1, 2025
(EG173) Hall Association Meeting
October 1, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Contact the lodge Secretary or Master to determine if meeting is via Zoom or in person
October 4, 2025
(Rainbow) GWA Official Visit
October 4, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 10:00 pm
October 8, 2025
(Rainbow) Rose Assembly Stated Meeting
October 8, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
POC:
Mrs. Elizabeth Christian, Mother Advisor (916-207-0703)
October 9, 2025
(EG173) Stated Meeting/Dinner
October 9, 2025 @ 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Dinner 6:30pm
Meeting 7:30pm
October 14, 2025
EG173 (District SOI)
October 14, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Host:
Lodi Lodge No. 256
Attendees:
FCs & MMs
Agenda:
Annual Election of Officers
CMC Requirements
Ritual:
2nd Degree, Opening
2nd Degree, 1st Section
Balloting & SD Altar Work
Stewards Degree Work
October 17, 2025
(OES) Elk Grove Onisbo Stated
October 17, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
October 22, 2025
(Rainbow) Rose Assembly Stated Meeting
October 22, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
POC:
Mrs. Elizabeth Christian, Mother Advisor (916-207-0703)
November 5, 2025
(EG173) Hall Association Meeting
November 5, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Contact the lodge Secretary or Master to determine if meeting is via Zoom or in person
November 12, 2025
(Rainbow) Rose Assembly Stated Meeting
November 12, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
POC:
Mrs. Elizabeth Christian, Mother Advisor (916-207-0703)
November 13, 2025
(EG173) Stated Meeting/Dinner
November 13, 2025 @ 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Dinner 6:30pm
Meeting 7:30pm
November 21, 2025
(OES) Elk Grove Onisbo Stated
November 21, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
November 26, 2025
(Rainbow) Rose Assembly Stated Meeting
November 26, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
POC:
Mrs. Elizabeth Christian, Mother Advisor (916-207-0703)
December 3, 2025
(EG173) Hall Association Meeting
December 3, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Contact the lodge Secretary or Master to determine if meeting is via Zoom or in person
December 10, 2025
(Rainbow) Rose Assembly Stated Meeting
December 10, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
POC:
Mrs. Elizabeth Christian, Mother Advisor (916-207-0703)
December 11, 2025
(EG173) Stated Meeting/Dinner
December 11, 2025 @ 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Dinner 6:30pm
Meeting 7:30pm
December 19, 2025
(OES) Elk Grove Onisbo Stated
December 19, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
December 24, 2025
(Rainbow) Rose Assembly Stated Meeting
December 24, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
POC:
Mrs. Elizabeth Christian, Mother Advisor (916-207-0703)
January 7, 2026
(EG173) Hall Association Meeting
January 7, 2026 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Contact the lodge Secretary or Master to determine if meeting is via Zoom or in person
January 8, 2026
(EG173) Stated Meeting/Dinner
January 8, 2026 @ 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Dinner 6:30pm
Meeting 7:30pm
January 14, 2026
(Rainbow) Rose Assembly Stated Meeting
January 14, 2026 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
POC:
Mrs. Elizabeth Christian, Mother Advisor (916-207-0703)
January 16, 2026
(OES) Elk Grove Onisbo Stated
January 16, 2026 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
January 28, 2026
(Rainbow) Rose Assembly Stated Meeting
January 28, 2026 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
POC:
Mrs. Elizabeth Christian, Mother Advisor (916-207-0703)
February 4, 2026
(EG173) Hall Association Meeting
February 4, 2026 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Contact the lodge Secretary or Master to determine if meeting is via Zoom or in person
February 11, 2026
(Rainbow) Rose Assembly Stated Meeting
February 11, 2026 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
POC:
Mrs. Elizabeth Christian, Mother Advisor (916-207-0703)
February 12, 2026
(EG173) Stated Meeting/Dinner
February 12, 2026 @ 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Dinner 6:30pm
Meeting 7:30pm
February 20, 2026
(OES) Elk Grove Onisbo Stated
February 20, 2026 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
February 25, 2026
(Rainbow) Rose Assembly Stated Meeting
February 25, 2026 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
POC:
Mrs. Elizabeth Christian, Mother Advisor (916-207-0703)
March 4, 2026
(EG173) Hall Association Meeting
March 4, 2026 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Contact the lodge Secretary or Master to determine if meeting is via Zoom or in person
March 11, 2026
(Rainbow) Rose Assembly Stated Meeting
March 11, 2026 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
POC:
Mrs. Elizabeth Christian, Mother Advisor (916-207-0703)
March 12, 2026
(EG173) Stated Meeting/Dinner
March 12, 2026 @ 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Dinner 6:30pm
Meeting 7:30pm
March 20, 2026
(OES) Elk Grove Onisbo Stated
March 20, 2026 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
March 25, 2026
(Rainbow) Rose Assembly Stated Meeting
March 25, 2026 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
POC:
Mrs. Elizabeth Christian, Mother Advisor (916-207-0703)
April 1, 2026
(EG173) Hall Association Meeting
April 1, 2026 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Contact the lodge Secretary or Master to determine if meeting is via Zoom or in person
April 8, 2026
(Rainbow) Rose Assembly Stated Meeting
April 8, 2026 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
POC:
Mrs. Elizabeth Christian, Mother Advisor (916-207-0703)
April 9, 2026
(EG173) Stated Meeting/Dinner
April 9, 2026 @ 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Dinner 6:30pm
Meeting 7:30pm
April 17, 2026
(OES) Elk Grove Onisbo Stated
April 17, 2026 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
April 22, 2026
(Rainbow) Rose Assembly Stated Meeting
April 22, 2026 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
POC:
Mrs. Elizabeth Christian, Mother Advisor (916-207-0703)
May 6, 2026
(EG173) Hall Association Meeting
May 6, 2026 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Contact the lodge Secretary or Master to determine if meeting is via Zoom or in person
May 13, 2026
(Rainbow) Rose Assembly Stated Meeting
May 13, 2026 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
POC:
Mrs. Elizabeth Christian, Mother Advisor (916-207-0703)
May 14, 2026
(EG173) Stated Meeting/Dinner
May 14, 2026 @ 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Dinner 6:30pm
Meeting 7:30pm
In this issue of California Freemason, we’re celebrating 175 years of incredible Masonic history in this state.
Say hello to a series of brand-new web resources for prospects and new members available on freemason.org, the online home of the Masons of California.
In Sacramento, the California Masonic Foundation is refining an approach to philanthropy that benefits all.
Maybe you’ve seen the square and compass logo on buildings around town or wondered about the meaning of emblems like the Masonic trowel. What’s the history behind Masonic symbols, and how do they factor into what happens in a lodge?
Could the simple act of joining a MasonicLodge be the key to rebuilding trust and strengthening democracy?
In this issue of California Freemason Magazine, we’re exploring the ways in which groups like the Masons can help members build social capital—a term first popularized by the sociologist Robert Putnam.
Trestleboard February 2022 v.1 It is interesting and a little challenging for research purposes that there are always events that our Brothers didn’t record in the Lodge Minutes for one reason or another. For example, the first Elk Grove fire of 1892. This fire which occurred on July 1st destroyed most of Elk Grove […]
What does ChatGPT have to say about Freemasonry? In the newest issue of California Freemason magazine, we asked the AI for its take.
Whether it’s the super idea behind a new charity, the fantastic team powering the state’s fastest-growing lodges, or the marvels of lodge administration, these heroes don’t wear capes, but they do wear aprons.
Brothers, I have a last minute change for you this month. While putting together the usual recounting of historical information gleaned from the Tiler Register, Minutes and Accounting records I encountered an oddity that I described last month. That is, the existence of multiple copies of Minutes. Again, I have no explanation for this but […]
DUPLICATION OF RECORDS Here is something of a curiosity. Our lodge’s first book of Minutes was started with our first meeting on August 6, 1864 with the final entry on December 27, 1882, creating a span of 18 years and 4 months. This first book of Minutes is identified in our library reference system as […]
FIRST CORNERSTONE The first reference we have of a cornerstone being laid by our lodge brothers is captured in the Minutes of July 29, 1876. “A communication was received from Brother A.J. Melson to lay the corner stone of the M.E. Church at Elk Grove. Moved and seconded that on the 4th of August […]
By November of 1879, Elk Grove Lodge No. 173 had been in existence for over 15 years. During those years we had a small number of Lodge Masters, the first being Brother Anson S. Ferris who served for only 3 months until the end of 1864. As you may remember, Brother Ferris requested a demit […]
Author’s Note We are covering the history of our lodge loosely in chronological order. The last installment of these Chronicles went until March of 1874, just about 10 years after our first meeting as a lodge at Brother Obediah Freeman’s house and just 3 years after we had purchased our first lodge property. By March […]
(Author’s Note) In the last installment of the Chronicles of Elk Grove Lodge, it was mentioned that some time had passed that was unaccounted for in either the Tiler Register or Minutes. We did well up until around 1866 and then we would have a month here or there without any documentation. Then we began […]
From 1864 through 1871 our lodge was gradually growing. As today, Brothers came by way of petitions to receive the degrees of Masonry, and some of those began as visitors later to become affiliates. The total number of petitions received during the 6 ½ year period of this article, was 35. DEMITS In November […]
In the 1850’s Elk Grove began as a stage stop and hotel to provide for the needs of travelers from San Francisco, Sacramento and Stockton. James Watson Hall is credited with the naming of this Hotel and subsequently the town of Elk Grove. According to the Elk Grove Historical Society, Brother Hall became a Freemason […]
Elk Grove Lodge No. 173 was first organized on July 30, 1864 in the home of Obediah Shank Freeman. A few months later, on October 13, 1864, the lodge charter was granted by the Grand Lodge of California. Elk Grove Lodge No. 173 has been in continuous operation with over 150 years of service to […]
Check out our latest video feature, an enlightening conversation between Grand Master G. Sean Metroka and Prince Hall Grand Master David San Juan, two distinguished leaders in California #Freemasonry.
Take a deep dive into the history and legacy of Prince Hall the man, as well as the history of the organization that today bears his name.
In this issue of California Freemason, we’re exploring what it takes to get new lodges off the ground, and how they define themselves within the landscape of Masonry in the state.
Between July 10–21, we’re asking all members who are comfortable doing so to post a short message on Facebook or Instagram saying why Freemasonry is important to you.
We’re excited to present our most recent Trestleboard. Our monthly Trestleboard includes the most up-to-date information about our lodge.