Beyond the Blue Lodge
Masonic Appendant Bodies
These organizations are affiliated with Freemasonry and share its values, but are independently governed. They offer expanded degrees, fellowship, and charitable opportunities to Master Masons and their families.
Scottish Rite of Freemasonry
The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry confers degrees 4°–32° beyond the Blue Lodge. The Orient of Maryland, Southern Jurisdiction, consists of seven Valleys across the state. The Valley of Baltimore — located at 3800 North Charles Street, Baltimore — has all four bodies: Lodge of Perfection (4°–14°), Chapter of Rose Croix (15°–18°), Council of Kadosh (19°–30°), and Consistory (31°–32°). Its mission: to improve its members and communities through Brotherly Love, Tolerance, Charity, and Truth. The 33° Sovereign Grand Inspector General is an honorary degree conferred by the Supreme Council.
York Rite
Taking its name from the old English city of York, the York Rite dates to 1744 and is described as the oldest and purest of the Rites. It completes the story begun in the Blue Lodge by offering a Master Mason membership in three separate bodies — each with its own application process. The Chapter of Royal Arch Masons (Capitular Masonry) confers the Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch degrees. The Council of Royal & Select Masters (Cryptic Masonry) explores the subterranean vault of King Solomon through the Royal Master, Select Master, and Super Excellent Master degrees. The Commandery of Knights Templar (Chivalric Masonry) confers the Orders of the Red Cross, Malta, and the Temple, based on the Medieval Crusades.
Maryland's Chapter of Shriners International
Boumi Shriners
Boumi Temple was founded on April 28, 1884 in Baltimore, Maryland — named after the Arabic word for "Owl," which became the symbol of Boumi Temple. Originally created as a place for Masons to gather in fellowship, Boumi has grown into a vibrant chapter of Shriners International. Since 1922, Shriners International has operated 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children, treating children with orthopedic and burn problems at no cost to patients or families.
Tall Cedars of Lebanon
Tall Cedars of Lebanon International is an appendant Masonic organization devoted to fostering friendship and fellowship among Freemasons and all mankind. With over 7,000 members, their creed is "Fun, Frolic & Fellowship" — offering every Master Mason an opportunity to enjoy a fuller, more enriching life. They are unwaveringly committed to finding a cure for Muscular Dystrophy and neuromuscular diseases, providing support for those unable to fully enjoy life's experiences on their own.
Grottoes International
Founded on September 10, 1889 by LeRoy Fairchild in Hamilton, New York, Grottoes International is a non-profit fraternal organization dedicated to promoting Goodfellowship, Friendship, and Fun amongst Master Masons. An atmosphere of good, clean fun and frolic prevails at all times. Its official charity, the Humanitarian Foundation (est. 1949), brings "Special Smiles" to children with special needs by providing much-needed dental care — covering the cost of dental treatment and anesthesia for children under 21 with conditions such as Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Down Syndrome, and more. Over 60 years, the Foundation has served more than 45,000 children.
Ladies' Organizations
Open to Masons & Their Female Relatives
Order of the Eastern Star
A worldwide fraternal, non-profit, charitable service organization open to both men and women — an associated body of the Masonic family. The Order strives to take good people through uplifting associations of love and service, dedicated to Charity, Truth, and Loving Kindness. Maryland alone has 29 chapters located across the state and has served its citizens for over 127 years.
Youth Organizations
DeMolay Maryland of DeMolay International
DeMolay International
Our Future Generation
Maryland DeMolay has been shaping young men into leaders of character since 1921, when the George Fleming Moore Chapter became the first DeMolay Chapter in Maryland — the first chapter ever named for a living person. Through seven cardinal virtues — Filial Love, Reverence, Courtesy, Comradeship, Fidelity, Cleanness, and Patriotism — Maryland DeMolay empowers young men to take ownership of their experience: generating ideas, planning events, and leading their communities under the mentorship of trained Advisors. Today Maryland DeMolay is home to 10 active chapters across the state, united under DeMolay International.
Job's Daughters International
Founded in 1920 by Mrs. Ethel T. Wead Mick in Omaha, Nebraska, Job's Daughters International uses the Biblical story of Job's Daughters to teach lessons of love, fidelity, and service. Members enjoy fellowship activities, perform community service projects, and develop leadership skills by running their own meetings and planning their own events. The DelMar Grand Bethel — spanning Delaware and Maryland — is one of the few working Grand Bethels in the Jobie World, with chapters across the jurisdiction meeting regularly throughout the year.
Rainbow for Girls
Founded in 1922 by W. Mark Sexson for young women whose fathers were members of the Masonic Lodge and their friends, the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls prepares girls for responsible and purposeful adulthood through character and leadership development, encouraging unselfish service and higher ideals in life, and promoting teamwork and effective interpersonal communications. Today there are more than 850 assemblies across the world, welcoming girls of every religion and background. World headquarters has been located in McAlester, Oklahoma since 1951 — a building constructed and funded by Rainbow Girls themselves, placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.
Interested in Learning More?
Ask a member of Lebanon Lodge #175 to point you in the right direction.
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