Becoming a member of our fraternity is not difficult. You need only ask a Mason for a petition or request one from a Masonic Lodge. If you look around you may very well discover that you are in the company of Masons --- friends, acquaintances, co-workers, members of your church --- just to name a few. Look for rings, tie tacks, lapel pins, bumper stickers, or medallions with the "Square and Compasses" on them. Then simply ask the individual about joining. A Master Mason in Ohio is now permitted, in a less than direct way,  to ask you to join. He might say to you, "I think you would make a good Mason and I would like you consider joining."  A prerequisite to membership is that the petitioner "ask" for a petition.

If you don’t find a friend who is already a Mason, you may stop by the Canton Masonic Temple, 836 Market Avenue North in Canton, or call the Canton Temple at 330-455-6300 and ask them to have someone contact you about joining.  We want you to know what we believe, how we act, and what we do --- then, should you become a Mason, you can be proud of our brotherhood and  participate in our work. Only those who desire membership because of their favorable impression of us should petition.    

    To become a Freemason, you must:

• Be a man, at least 19 years of age.

• Be of good moral character.

• Have personal belief in a Supreme Being.

• Decide to become a Mason of you own free will and accord.

• Be loyal to your country.

• Dedicated to providing for your family.

• Have a sincere determination to conduct yourself in a manner that will earn the respect and trust of others.

• Possess a desire to help others through community service and universal benevolence.

There are three degrees in Blue Lodge or Symbolic Masonry.  Candidates are initiated as an Entered Apprentice, passed to the degree of Fellow Craft and raised as a Master Mason.  

  Finally, you should select a lodge whose meeting nights will pose no conflict with your necessary activities and duties.  Three Blue Lodges meet in the Canton Masonic Temple;

                    Canton Lodge #60 meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month.
                    Trinity Lodge #710 meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month.
                    McKinley Lodge #431 meets on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month.

Other organizations appearing on this website include; Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, York Rite, Order of Eastern Star and Nazir Grotto.  All of which require a membership in good standing in a Masonic Blue Lodge.  You may also wish to visit the web pages of the Masonic youth groups.  Contacts for them are listed on those pages.

If you would like further information about becoming a Blue Lodge Mason, please leave an e-mail message with your name, address and phone number or fill out the form below and a member of the Lodge you select will contact you.