Freemasonry in North Carolina
Find a lodge, learn how to join, and explore the Masonic history of the North Carolina.
Quick Facts: Freemasonry in North Carolina
- Grand Lodge
- Grand Lodge of North Carolina A.F. & A.M.
- Chartered
- 1787 (239 years of organized Freemasonry)
- Headquarters
- Raleigh, NC
- Annual Communication
- Annual Communication in September
- Address
- 2921 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27608
Masonic History in North Carolina
Chartered in 1787, the Grand Lodge of North Carolina has roots predating the U.S. Constitution. The state hosts the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford — one of the longest-running Masonic charity homes in the country.
For the full context of how Masonic ideas reached North Carolina — including the medieval origins of the Craft, the 1717 founding of organized Freemasonry, and how lodges spread to America — see our complete History of Freemasonry.
The Grand Lodge of North Carolina
Grand Lodge of North Carolina A.F. & A.M.
Chartered 1787
How to Join Freemasonry in North Carolina
The process for joining a Masonic lodge in North Carolina follows the same path as anywhere else in the United States. There are four core requirements:
- 1Be a man of at least 18 years old (some North Carolina lodges require 21). Women interested in Masonic-affiliated organizations should look at the Order of the Eastern Star.
- 2Believe in a Supreme Being. Freemasonry is not a religion and does not specify which faith — only that you have one.
- 3Be of good moral character. Lodges run background checks; serious criminal history is usually disqualifying.
- 4Ask of your own free will. Masonry never recruits — you must approach a lodge yourself.
Next step: Use our quick quiz at /can-i-join to confirm you meet the requirements, then find a lodge in North Carolina below or in our lodge directory.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Freemasonry in North Carolina.
When was Freemasonry established in North Carolina?+
The Grand Lodge of North Carolina A.F. & A.M. was chartered in 1787, making organized Freemasonry in North Carolina 239 years old. Some individual lodges predate the Grand Lodge by years or decades, operating under charters from older jurisdictions.
How do I join a Masonic lodge in North Carolina?+
To join Freemasonry in North Carolina, you must be a man of at least 18 (some lodges require 21), believe in a Supreme Being, and be of good moral character. The next step is to contact a lodge near you and ask to meet members — usually over a meal before a stated meeting. After conversation, you submit a petition; if accepted, you are scheduled for initiation. The full process from petition to becoming a Master Mason typically takes 4-12 months.
How many Masonic lodges are there in North Carolina?+
North Carolina has dozens of active Masonic lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina A.F. & A.M., headquartered in Raleigh. The Grand Lodge maintains an official roster of all active lodges — see the contact information above to request a list, or use our directory to find one near you.
Who governs Freemasonry in North Carolina?+
The Grand Lodge of North Carolina A.F. & A.M. is the sole governing body for "mainstream" Freemasonry in the state. It operates independently and sovereignly — no worldwide Masonic authority exists. Prince Hall Freemasonry (the historically African American tradition) operates a separate Grand Lodge in many states; both are recognized as regular Freemasonry across the United States.
What is the address of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina?+
The Grand Lodge is located at 2921 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27608. Phone: +1-919-787-2021. Website: https://grandlodge-nc.org.
Show Your North Carolina Brotherhood
Custom Masonic jackets, jerseys, hoodies, and commemorative coins — designed by Brothers, made for the Craft.