Fall Issue of California Freemason: Masonic San Francisco
Masonry has played a crucial role in almost every stage of San Francisco’s development.
Masonry is the world’s first and largest fraternal organization. It is guided by the enduring belief that each man has a responsibility to make the world a better place. For 300 years, Freemasonry has enhanced and strengthened the character of individual men by providing opportunities for fellowship, charity, and the search for truth – within ourselves and the larger world.
The decade ending in 1920 was a period of much suffering, and lot of change. In 1918, World War One ended, with an American death toll of more than 116 thousand. During 1918 and 1919, over 650 thousand Americans died of the Spanish Flu. The 18th Amendment ended most legal alcohol consumption, and the 19th Amendment finally gave American adult women the right to vote.
In response to these events, freemasonry changed and new masonic organizations were created. In 1919, Frank S. Land and a group of young boys, including some orphans of freemasons, started what later became the first Chapter of DeMolay International. Also created about this time were two organizations for girls: the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls and Job’s Daughters.
In California, freemasonry became more popular. The number of California Freemasons quadrupled from 21,579 in 1899, to 85,181 in 1921. American freemasonry was entering its golden age. The number of American freemasons reached over 3 million by 1924. By that time, nearly 6 out of every 100 American males were freemasons.
Lodge membership in our area grew from 25 members from 1 lodge in 1899, to over 2,000 members from 7 lodges by 1921, which included:
The members of Bay Cities Lodge No. 337 are remembering our past and building a better tomorrow. Our members want to have a direct and beneficial impact to our communities, through our charities, and on a personal level. We meet on the first Friday of the month for stated meetings at the Richmond Masonic Hall, 5050 El Portal Drive, in Richmond at the edge of El Sobrante.
Masonry is a community of men and their families who share similar beliefs and values. The fraternity finds it important to connect with other men of honor, compassion, love, trust, and knowledge, regardless of their race, color, religious beliefs, political views, sexual orientation, physical ability, citizenship, or national origin. We are friends and brothers, and are connected through this vital and uplifting organization of moral men.
Our continuing pursuit of truth, knowledge, ethics, and leadership skills makes us better men and brings more meaning to our lives. Learning the tenets of Freemasonry, paired with being an active part of our community, gives us the opportunity to develop leadership and organizational skills, and builds self-discipline through commitment and self-confidence.
As a member of the Freemasons, the Grand Lodge of California, and Bay Cities Lodge No. 337, we are a part of a worldwide organization that values tradition, history, and timeless wisdom. The traditions and core values of our fraternity are meaningful today and will endure for centuries to come because of our direct impact in our community, through our charities, and on a personal level.
October 19, 2025
Hyram Award
October 19, 2025 @ 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
2:00 pm: Social Time
4:00 pm: Hiram Award AND Golden Veteran Award - Awardee is Brother Messer
5:00 pm: Dinner
October 21, 2025
Golden Veteran Award
October 21, 2025 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
We are presenting the Hiram Award to Bro. Joseph Dworak. He has been a mason in good standing for 50 years.
Dinner: 6:00pm
Award Presentation: 7:00pm
October 24, 2025
California Annual Communication
October 24, 2025 @ 1:00 pm - October 26, 2025 @ 12:30 pm
Grand Lodge Meets at the California Masonic Center, 1111 California St, San Francisco, CA
November 7, 2025
Stated Dinner
November 7, 2025 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Always on the 1st Friday, before Stated Meeting
December 5, 2025
Stated Dinner
December 5, 2025 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Always on the 1st Friday, before Stated Meeting
January 2, 2026
Stated Dinner
January 2, 2026 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Always on the 1st Friday, before Stated Meeting
February 6, 2026
Stated Dinner
February 6, 2026 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Always on the 1st Friday, before Stated Meeting
March 6, 2026
Stated Dinner
March 6, 2026 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Always on the 1st Friday, before Stated Meeting
April 3, 2026
Stated Dinner
April 3, 2026 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Always on the 1st Friday, before Stated Meeting
May 1, 2026
Stated Dinner
May 1, 2026 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Always on the 1st Friday, before Stated Meeting
June 5, 2026
Stated Dinner
June 5, 2026 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Always on the 1st Friday, before Stated Meeting
July 3, 2026
Stated Dinner
July 3, 2026 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Always on the 1st Friday, before Stated Meeting
August 7, 2026
Stated Dinner
August 7, 2026 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Always on the 1st Friday, before Stated Meeting
September 4, 2026
Stated Dinner
September 4, 2026 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Always on the 1st Friday, before Stated Meeting
October 2, 2026
Stated Dinner
October 2, 2026 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Always on the 1st Friday, before Stated Meeting
Masonry has played a crucial role in almost every stage of San Francisco’s development.
One of friends from Alameda Lodge has shared with us a list of all upcoming Masonic events in the Bay Area.
Members of Bay Cities Lodge #337, Mission Bell Eastern Star Chapter #205, and other masonic groups have regularly staffed the table across the street from the neighborhood Dollar Store every year on the third Sunday in September.
The Bay Cities brothers and their ladies will be working in the kitchen at 5:30 am on Saturday, November 20. We are one of many local groups that assist the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program with their community feeding program.
Our lodge master poses with our newly-proficient Fellowcraft masons.
Members take their promises as Masons on sacred book, often a Masonic Bible. Its rituals have frequent references to God. Their meeting places are often called Masonic temples. So if it isn’t a religion, why is religion such a feature of Freemasonry?
A new program from the California Masonic Foundation is introducing students to careers in green tech through Cal EPIC.
Discuss your Masonic experience with others easily by downloading the simple guide to Freemasonry and brushing up on the basics.
The Masonic Ritual is the heart of Freemasonry. And at the center of the ritual is drama. it’s no wonder Masons go to such lengths to put on an unforgettable show.
We’re taking a deep dive into the many ways that Masonry and performance collide.
Let’s show the world what Masonry looks like in action—because #WeAreMasons, and together, we make a difference.
Gone after Covid are the days when we mailed paper copies of our monthly Trestleboard.
In this issue of California Freemason, we’re celebrating 175 years of incredible Masonic history in this state.
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.
In Sacramento, the California Masonic Foundation is refining an approach to philanthropy that benefits all.
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?
Could the simple act of joining a MasonicLodge be the key to rebuilding trust and strengthening democracy?
Back in 1947, our country was reeling from many major changes. Word war II brought war to our nation. Over 400 thousand Americans died as a result of war casualties. Furthermore, the cold war was beginning…in June of 1948 the Berlin airlift started.
Meanwhile, California and the Bay Area were growing substantially.
The decade ending in 1920 was a period of a lot of suffering and change. In 1918, World War One ended, with an American death toll of more than 116 thousand. During 1918 and 1919, over 650 thousand Americans died of the Spanish Flu. The 18th Amendment ended most legal alcohol consumption, and the 19th Amendment finally gave American adult women the right to vote. The number of California Freemasons quadrupled from 21,579 in 1899, to 85,181 in 1921.
Our lodge maintains and updates our calendar as events get scheduled or changed.
View our Prior Trestleboards here. You will need adobe reader to open and print them on your computer.
