Petition Application For Membership may be requested at the lodge.
How To Join
If a person meeting the criteria below is interested in joining, he should ask a Masonic friend for more information, contact Unity Lodge 146 or the Grand Lodge of Virginia.
Requirements
In order to become a member of this ancient and honorable fraternity a man must, among other requirements, be at least 18 years of age, of good moral character, a law abiding citizen, who believes in a Supreme Being that promotes peace, love and harmony towards all mankind, more especially to a Brother Mason. Because a Mason cannot extend invitations to prospective members, nor are members solicited, any and all applicants must take the initiative of his own free will and accord and with an open heart. All petitions for membership must be vouched by two active Master Masons, preferably members of our Lodge, who know the Petitioner and thus able to vouch for the Petitioner’s character and recommend him for admission into our Craft.
Process
The process of becoming a member and a Master Mason can be long for those who are not patient. As the Lodge meets once a month, there are various steps that result in entry taking a few months. Part of the process is to meet the brethren during dinners, breakfasts, and activities in the community.
Once the petitioner is ready, it is ideal for them to turn in a petition and fees for the three degrees via check or cash before the next stated meeting so that it can be read aloud and start the process.
Sometime after the meeting, the petitioner may receive information on how to perform a background check through a third party for a nominal fee. Once the Lodge receives the results, an investigation committee will be assembled to meet the petitioner and any of their family at their residence, and report back to the brethren at the next meeting.
After hearing the results from the investigation committee, the brethren will take a ballot. If the ballot is unanimous in the petitioners favor, then he will be invited for an introduction to masonry speech and brethren he has not met may come in to meet the candidate. Often within the next fee weeks afterwards, an initiation will be carried out – usually on a Wednesday evening.
After each degree, the petitioner will be assigned a mentor for education and may be offered various methods for education. This is only done in-person. Mentors are patient and Masons learn at their own pace.
Known Masons
Often times candidates express that their father, grand father, uncle, family friend, teacher, manager, officer, commander, or someone else they knew that is (or was) a Mason. It’s recommended to reach out to them during the journey, as they may want to visit and be a part of the process. Petitioners can provide them with a link to this website so that they may contact the Lodge, or provide contact information to the Worshipful Master or Secretary. If the individual is no longer a Mason, we may be able to reach out to inquire if they are still in good standing, find out how to bring them into good standing, and see what can be done to invite them to participate. This may take time, so the sooner the Lodge is able to contact your relative and reach out to the Lodge, the better chances that they can participate with you.
Petition
If you have gotten to know the brothers of Unity Lodge No. 146, and would like to fill out a petition, you may request one from the brethren at the Lodge. In some cases, a brother may instruct you to print a digital version that may be printed out from the following link.
Fees for the degrees
A payment must accompany a petition when turned into the Lodge. The following fees are based on Resolution 23-01 changes to Section 2.19 of the Methodical Digest, and the proposed By-laws from the July 2024 stated communication. Please verify with the Lodge to determine if the fees are current.
| Degree | Amount |
|---|---|
| Lodge Entered Apprentice Degree | $100.00 |
| Lodge Fellow Craft Degree | $100.00 |
| Lodge Master Mason Degree | $100.00 |
| Grand Lodge Master Mason Degree | $100.00 |
| Total | $400.00 |
In addition to the payment to the Lodge, a third party designated by the Grand Lodge of Virginia will require a nominal fee to perform a Criminal Background Check.
You will be exempt from paying member dues until you become a Master Mason.
Woman & Children
Women and children can not become a Mason. However, there are appendant bodies where family members may get involved. The Order of the Eastern Star is one of the popular ones and meets at our lodge where a few brothers and their wives are active together. In addition, there are opportunities in the area available for boys to participate in DeMolay and girls to participate in Rainbow for Girls.
Unity Lodge No. 146 
You must be logged in to post a comment.