Freemasonry in Tennessee
Find a lodge, learn how to join, and explore the Masonic history of the Tennessee.
Quick Facts: Freemasonry in Tennessee
- Grand Lodge
- Grand Lodge of Tennessee F. & A.M.
- Chartered
- 1813 (213 years of organized Freemasonry)
- Headquarters
- Nashville, TN
- Annual Communication
- Annual Communication in January
- Address
- 100 7th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37203
Masonic History in Tennessee
Tennessee Freemasonry was chartered in 1813 and has produced multiple U.S. Presidents who held membership or strong fraternal ties, including Andrew Jackson and James K. Polk.
For the full context of how Masonic ideas reached Tennessee — 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 Tennessee
Grand Lodge of Tennessee F. & A.M.
Chartered 1813
How to Join Freemasonry in Tennessee
The process for joining a Masonic lodge in Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee below or in our lodge directory.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Freemasonry in Tennessee.
When was Freemasonry established in Tennessee?+
The Grand Lodge of Tennessee F. & A.M. was chartered in 1813, making organized Freemasonry in Tennessee 213 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 Tennessee?+
To join Freemasonry in Tennessee, 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 Tennessee?+
Tennessee has dozens of active Masonic lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee F. & A.M., headquartered in Nashville. 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 Tennessee?+
The Grand Lodge of Tennessee 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 Tennessee?+
The Grand Lodge is located at 100 7th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37203. Phone: +1-615-259-2700. Website: https://grandlodge-tn.org.
Show Your Tennessee Brotherhood
Custom Masonic jackets, jerseys, hoodies, and commemorative coins — designed by Brothers, made for the Craft.