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Patterson Lodge No. 488

A beautiful system of morality,

veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols

What is Freemasonry?

A Freemason is a man who has taken an obligation to make of himself the best that he can, for himself, his family, and his community—a man who feels and adores the higher destiny of man; to whom faith, hope and charity are not mere words without any meaning.

What is Freemasonry? A fraternity designed to teach morality and ethics, and train good men to make themselves of service to themselves, their families and their communities.

Freemasonry is not a religion, but it teaches its members to be active in their chosen faith. Freemasonry has no politics, but it teaches its members to be active in civic concerns.

What attracts a man to Freemasonry? Every man comes, of his own free will and accord, with his own individual needs and interests. One man may join so that he can associate with other men who believe that only by improving themselves can they hope to improve their world. Another man may join because he is looking for a focus for his charitable inclinations. And yet another may be attracted by a strong sense of history and tradition. Many join simply because they knew a friend or relative who was a freemason and they admired that man’s way of living his life. All who join and become active, discover a bond of brotherly affection and a community of mutual support; a practical extension of their own religious and philosophical beliefs.

Freemasonry is not a charity, although it promotes charity in its members—in North America alone, freemasons contribute some three million dollars a day to operate children’s hospitals, cancer clinics, burn wards, seniors’ homes and other such facilities.

There are some 200 recognized masonic jurisdictions around the world and no central authority. They operate under a system of mutual recognition, working within a set of Landmarks of what qualifies as recognized Freemasonry.

Our Mission and Our Lodge

Patterson 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.

The Tenets of Freemasonry

Brotherly Love

Brotherly Love is one of the supreme things without which life is a lonely, unhappy, dreary kind of thing. This is not a hope or a dream, but a fact-as real as day and night, or as the law of gravity.

Freemasonry builds on that fact, takes it for granted, provides opportunities for us to have such fellowship, encourages us to understand it and to practice it, and to make it one of the laws of our existence. It is in short, and in literal truth one of its Principal Tenets.

Relief

Masonic Relief takes it for granted that any man, no matter how industrious or frugal he may be, may through sudden misfortune, or other conditions over which he has no control, find himself in temporary need of a helping hand. To extend to him such a helping hand is not what is generally described as charity, but is one of the natural and inevitable acts of Brotherhood.

Truth

By Truth is meant that if we are to have a permanent Brotherhood, its members must be truthful in character and habit, dependable, men of honor as well as of honesty, men on whom ye can rely to be faithful fellows and loyal friends. No argument is needed to prove that Truth, as thus understood, is a necessity, that it is required in the nature of things if a Brotherhood is to exist.

How To Join

To qualify for membership, a petitioner must be male, at least 18 years of age, one who believes in the existence of a Supreme Being, of good moral character, motivated to join for reasons unrelated to personal gain or profit, prompted by a favorable opinion of Freemasonry, desirous of earning knowledge and willing to conform to the customs of the fraternity.

One of Freemasonry’s customs is not to solicit members – men must seek membership on their own initiative. Every man has his own reason for wanting to be a part of the greatest fraternity in the world. Regardless of your reason, you will benefit from membership because Freemasonry makes good men better.

If you are interested in applying for membership to our lodge, you may contact us to schedule a visit during an event, or request more information.

Connect with us

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Upcoming events

Nothing from April 3, 2025 to April 3, 2026.

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Masonic news

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.

Discovery Masonry on Freemason.org

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.

2024 Fraternity Report: The Win-Win

In Sacramento, the California Masonic Foundation is refining an approach to philanthropy that benefits all.

Learn About Freemasonry Symbols

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?

California Freemason: There’s No Place Like Lodge

Could the simple act of joining a MasonicLodge be the key to rebuilding trust and strengthening democracy?

Winter 2024 Issue Out Now: A Sense of Belonging

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.

A Conversation with ChatGPT About Freemasonry

What does ChatGPT have to say about Freemasonry? In the newest issue of California Freemason magazine, we asked the AI for its take.

Fall 2024 Issue Out Now: The Heroes of Freemasonry

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.

A Conversation With Two Grand Masters

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.

Summer 2024 Issue Out Now: Prince Hall, Then and Now

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.

Brick by Brick: Inside a Lodge-Building Boom

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.

Join Us and Let Your Network Know #ImAMason!

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. 

Trestleboard

We’re excited to present our most recent Trestleboard. Our monthly Trestleboard includes the most up-to-date information about our lodge.

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