| Welcome: On
behalf of the officers and brethren of Cortland Masonic Lodge
#529, I would like to welcome you to our website. Freemasons have been
involved in Cortland for
127 years. Cortland Masonic Lodge No. 529 was formed November 17, 1882,
and S.F. Barlett was installed
as the first Master of the Lodge. It is one of the oldest) fraternal
organizations in the city.
Freemasonry is the oldest, largest and most widely
recognized fraternal organization in the world. Thirteen signers of the
Constitution and fourteen Presidents of the United States , including
George Washington, were Freemasons. Today, there are more than 2 million
Freemasons in North America alone.
The Mission Statement of Ohio Freemasons is:
“Freemasonry provides opportunities for sincere, honest, forthright men
who believe in God and desire to contribute to the improvement of their
communities and themselves. Through our Masonic Fraternalism, we
reaffirm our dedication and unity to become involved citizens who have a
strong desire to preserve the values that have made, and continue to
make America great.”
Freemasonry is descended from lodges of stonemasons,
who built the castles and cathedrals of the middle ages. The tools and
objects used by stonemasons have been adapted as symbols in the ritual
and ceremonies of modern Freemasonry to teach moral lessons. Known
worldwide as a symbol of character, charity and brotherly love, the
Square and Compasses design is the emblem of every Masonic lodge.
Charity is an important tenet of the Masonic
fraternity. Today, Freemasonry is deeply involved with helping people.
Masonic related groups in the United States , including Lodges, Shriners,
Scottish and York Rite, Grotto and the Order of the Eastern Star,
contribute more than $2 million every day to charity. The 121,000
Freemasons in Ohio provide approximately $15 million in charitable
giving annually. This year they gave $94,000 in college scholarships,
contributed $125,000 to Special Olympics Ohio Summer Games, and funded
$70,000 in free training for hundreds of Ohio school teachers to
recognize students at non-academic risk. They also provided $12 million
in elderly care, and helped many needy Ohio families and individuals
through their Charitable Foundation. Various college scholarships are
also available. Cortland Masonic Lodge has made contributions of money
and time to local charities and organizations through the years. We
sponsor Blood Drives for the American Red Cross, and are active with the
American Cancer Society "Relay for Life: since it's start. We sponsor a
youth baseball team and donate to the Boy Scouts, Boys & Girls State, as
well as sponsor Rainbow for girls youth organization.
Freemasons are men, age 19 and over, of good character
who strive to improve themselves and make the world a better place, and
have a belief in a Supreme Being. If an individual is interested in
becoming a member, he can begin by contacting Cortland Masonic Lodge
Lodge or speaking to any Freemason.
General information is available at
www.freemason.com . For local
information, contact Kenneth Zimmerman 330 638 - 6500,
Zimsco@gmail.com or Charles Chagnot 330 638
8246,
Chaggy2@aol.com . |