Grand Lodge of Connecticut
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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.
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[edit] History
Freemasonry began in Connecticut in the year 1750. David Wooster was the charter Master of "The Lodge at New Haven," which later became Hiram Lodge #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 of 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 #15 in Brooklyn Connecticut constituted on October 15th, 1790.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Prince Hall Freemasonry in Connecticut
On Oct. 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.
[edit] 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
