Masonic Life Network

Chino Valley Lodge #427 Confers First Degree For. Mr. Velasquez

Ontario, CA – On August 26, 2015, Chino Valley Masonic Lodge conferred the first degree of Masonry on Mr. Velazquez with every station filled and over twenty five Masons in attendance. The perfectly executed degree was a sight to see! 

The night began around 6:00 p.m. as Chino Valley Lodge #427 officers arrived and greeted each other in the parking lot.  The three visiting brothers from Redlands Lodge and Upland were warmly greeted.  While brothers talked outside, Wor. Van Owen set up his computer and projector inside to ensure the slide show being delivered during the long form lecture was executed perfectly.  While othe lodge was set up, Wor. Kennedy, the sitting master of Chino Valley Lodge, arrived with the food and refreshments for the evening and filled the air with the smell of freshly cooked empanadas and pizza.

The lodge opened at 7:00 p.m. and escorted the candidate shortly after 7:30 p.m.  When you looked around the lodge your saw over twenty five attentive smiling faces in the lodge room.  While free from restraint brothers whispered and moved around the room talking, laughing, and engaging each other.  Wor. Manny Blanco took a seat by the two visiting brothers from Redlands Lodge, one a Master Mason the other an Entered Apprentice, extending the warm unconditional greetings that he is known for.  Wor. Patrick Janitell sat near the visitor from Upland.  Wor. Frank Lee, our recent past AGL, moved about the room and talked to nearly every member.  Wor. Feringa said, “It was nice to witness the brothers forging friendships and building bonds in the lodge again.  It has been a long time coming.”

Two rows of masons were present during the ceremony.  Velasquez received an amazing long form lecture from Wor. Van Owen complete with the slide show.  “This is a very special degree tonigh,” stated Wor, Rick Geyer, “many masons have never seen this this slide show.”  The night was carefully crafted for Velasquez to ensure he received a special initiation into the fraternity.

At the conclusion of the night Wor. Kennedy said, “This special night would not have been possible without the instrumental help received from the members of the other lodges present.  It was nice having a member of Redlands Lodge volunteer to deliver the charge from memory.”

History of Freemasonry

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In the Middle Ages, the term “freemason” was awarded to highly skilled stonemasons hired as free agents to build castles and cathedrals in England and Scotland. Because of the inherent danger of their work, stonemasons formed local organizations, called lodges, to take care of
sick and injured members as well as the widows and orphans of those killed on the job. Lodge members met in temporary buildings, built next to the cathedrals, to receive their pay, plan their work, train new apprentices, and socialize.

The first grand lodge was established in 1717 in London. In 1718 English Freemasonry spread to France and Spain, and after 1729, to India, Italy, Poland, Sweden, other parts of Europe, and eventually the American colonies. In 1733 the first American lodge was established in Boston under the authority of the Grand Lodge of England. Of the 39 men who signed the U.S. Constitution, 13 were Masons.

Freemasonry has been an integral part of California for more than 150 years. During the gold rush of 1849, thousands of settlers came to California in search of fortune. Those who were Masons brought their rich traditions with them, soon establishing some of California’s first Masonic lodges in the mining towns of the Gold Country. In 1850 — the same year that California became a state — the Grand Lodge of California was established in Sacramento. Within 10 years, the number of Masonic lodges had grown from 11 to 130, while membership soared from 258

to more than 5,000. Over the years, the Masons have played a key role in shaping the history of California. To date, 19 California governors have been Masons and at least four California Masons have been elected to the U.S. Senate. Today, the Grand Lodge of California has more than 60,000 members and about 340 lodges located throughout the state, making it one of the largest jurisdictions in the world.

Throughout their 150-year history, California Masons have remained steadfast in their commitment to helping others and serving the California communities. Among the fraternity’s first charitable activities was helping victims of the great cholera outbreak in Sacramento in 1850. Roughly 300 California Masons raised more than $32,000 within 10 months to help build and maintain a hospital at Sutter’s Fort. Today, our members volunteer hundreds of thousands of hours and donate millions of dollars to provide a wide range of critical services to families statewide.

Learn more at freemason.org.

Phone: 800/831-8170
Email: communications@freemason.org