Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Arizona

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Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Arizona John Goodwin, a Freemason, and his party arrived in the Arizona territory in December 1863. In 1864 nine Master Masons held a meeting in Prescott at John N.
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Freemasonry promotes a way of life that binds like minded men in a worldwide brotherhood that transcends all religious, ethnic, cultural, social and educational differences; by teaching the great principles of Brotherly Love, Relief,and Truth. He established the territorial capital of Prescott, approximately twenty miles from Fort Whipple. Goodwin's house. Brother Goodwin presided at the meeting. After satisfying themselves that all present were Master Masons, those nine Masons decided to apply to the Grand Lodge of California for a dispensation to open a Lodge at Prescott. The name selected for the new lodge was Aztlan. Brother John T. Alsap, who later became the first mayor of Phoenix, was chosen as its first Master. Brother Goodwin was chosen to present the petition to the Grand Master of California. Brother Goodwin presented the petition on April 23rd, 1865, and the dispensation it requested was granted. In January 1867, after the California charter had been granted, Aztlan Lodge No. 177 was duly constituted and the officers installed by Past Master John Martin. Freemasonry had officially arrived in Arizona. Thereafter, four more lodges were formed in succession. These four are Arizona Lodge in Phoenix (1879), Tucson Lodge in Tucson (1881), Solomon Lodge in Tombstone (1881), and White Mountain Lodge in Globe. All but White Mountain Lodge were chartered by the Grand Lodge of California. White Mountain Lodge was chartered by the Grand Lodge of New Mexico in 1881. On the 23rd day of March, 1882, representatives from these four lodges convened in Tucson for the purpose of considering the propriety of establishing a Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons for the Territory of Arizona. A committee was formed to examine the credentials of the attending delegates, and after its satisfactory report, it was resolved that by virtue of the powers vested in the members assembled it was right and proper that a Grand Lodge for the territory should be formed. A constitution was adopted and it was formally resolved, "That a lodge of Master Masons be opened for the purpose of organizing and opening, in Masonic form, the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons for the Territory of Arizona." Officers were appointed to fill the stations and places and a Lodge of Master Masons was opened in ancient Masonic form. The various officers were elected as follows: Ansel Mellen Bragg, Grand Master; John Tabor Alsap, Deputy Grand Master; Alonzo Bailey, Senior Grand Warden; William Arthur Harwood, Junior Grand Warden; Abraham Marx, Grand Treasurer; and George James Roskruge, Grand Secretary. On the 25th day of March, 1882, the grand officers were installed and the Master Masons Lodge was closed in the ancient Masonic form, the convention having accomplished the business for which it was called, adjourned sine die. The Grand Lodge was then opened in proper form, with music by a choir and prayer by the Grand Chaplain, after which it examined and endorsed the charters held by the various lodges represented. Then it was decided that, "The Grand Lodge claimed as the boundaries of its jurisdiction the whole of the Territory of Arizona," and further, that the Grand Master be authorized to endorse the charter of Aztlan Lodge when called upon to do so. On March 25th, 1882, after installing the grand officers and accomplishing the business for which it was called, the Master Masons Lodge was closed in ancient Masonic form, sine die. Aztlan lodge later became a chartered member, and together the five lodges forming the Grand Lodge had a total membership of 274 Masons. Those five original lodges are still in existence today. http://www.azmasons.org/ | www.twitter.com/azmasons

It was a great honor to attend the 177th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of California and support my friend and...
10/11/2026

It was a great honor to attend the 177th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of California and support my friend and Brother, MW Garrett Chan.

His theme, “Peace and Harmony,” is a wonderful reminder of what Freemasonry should always strive to bring, not only to our Lodges, but into our communities and our daily lives.

One of the great privileges of serving as Grand Master is visiting other jurisdictions. Every visit gives us the opportunity to see how other Brothers practice our Craft, exchange ideas, strengthen friendships, and bring home new perspectives that can make Masonry in Arizona even stronger.

While our traditions may differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, our values and our Brotherhood unite us.

Congratulations to MW Garrett Chan and the Brethren of California on a wonderful Annual Communication.

Congratulations also to MW Ara Maloyan, the newly installed Grand Master for 2026-2027

Thank you for the hospitality and fellowship! Masons of California

10/11/2026
Masonic Charities of Arizona recently presented a donation to Paws... for youth. In the photo of the presentation is (f...
10/10/2026

Masonic Charities of Arizona recently presented a donation to Paws... for youth. In the photo of the presentation is (from Left): Katy Hansen, Director of Development; Sue Pearl, CEO of Paws For Youth; David P Miller, Board President of the Arizona Masonic Charities; and Annie and Aldo, volunteers with Paws For Youth. This non-profit organization has been a past recipient of donations from Arizona Masonic Charities.

Paws For Youth, formerly known as Gabriel's Angels, is an important community based organization in the Maricopa County Metropolitan area. The organization has over 25 years of experience in working with youth to find safety, connection, and joy. Therapy dogs are used to help build individual confidence, skills, and address emergency trauma situations involving youth in the early years of educational development. A rigorous training program involves both volunteers as well as canines used in providing these important services.

10/10/2026

Official visits are getting the Grand Line excited about the future of Masonry in Arizona.

We missed a Birthday on Wednesday!MW Al Metcalf celebrated another year of going around the Sun! Please assist us in wi...
10/09/2026

We missed a Birthday on Wednesday!

MW Al Metcalf celebrated another year of going around the Sun! Please assist us in wishing him a slightly late Happy Birthday! MW Metcalf served the Grand Lodge of Arizona in 1996!

Do you know your Grand Lodge Officers?Grand Editor WB George B.​​George is an accomplished Cybersecurity Engineer with m...
10/08/2026

Do you know your Grand Lodge Officers?

Grand Editor WB George B.

​​George is an accomplished Cybersecurity Engineer with more than 15 years of experience in cybersecurity, information security governance, identity and access management, website development, graphic design, search engine optimization, and digital communications. He developed his technical expertise during a distinguished career with Xerox and currently serves with the Arizona Department of Administration, working closely with the Department of Homeland Security to support more than 121 government agencies throughout the State of Arizona.

A dedicated Freemason, George was initiated into Acacia Lodge No. 42 on December 11, 2012, passed on September 24, 2013, and was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on June 24, 2014, St. John the Baptist Day. His commitment to Acacia Lodge has been demonstrated through extensive leadership and service. He served as Worshipful Master in 2019 and 2020, leading the lodge to earn the first Master Architect Award in its history. Over the years, he has served in nearly every elected and appointed lodge office, including Board of Trustees member (2017–2026), Chairman of the Board of Trustees (2018), Building Committee member (2017–2024), Chairman of the Building Committee (2018 and 2021–2022), Chairman of the Technology and Website Committee (2018–2026), Chairman of the Social Media Committee (2015–2026), and Secretary (2024–2026).

George further expanded his Masonic journey through the York Rite, affiliating with Phoenix Chapter No. 1, Royal Arch Masons; Phoenix Council No. 4, Cryptic Masons; and Phoenix Commandery No. 3, Knights Templar. In 2019, he became a 32° Scottish Rite Mason in the Valley of Phoenix, Orient of Arizona. He currently serves as Junior Warden of the Lodge of Perfection, IT Director, Facilities Director, Communications Director, and Chairman of the Audio-Visual Committee. His dedication to the Scottish Rite has earned significant recognition, including selection to the Sovereign Grand Commander’s Fellowship Program in 2023, Black Hat of the Year in 2024, and investiture as a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor (KCCH) in 2025. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Phoenix Rite Care Foundation.

At the Grand Lodge level, George serves on the Technology Committee and is Chairman of the Communications Committee, Electronic Voting Committee, and GrandView Committee, helping guide the technological and communications initiatives of Arizona Freemasonry.

George is also a proud Noble of El Zaribah Shrine, having joined in 2022. Beyond his Blue Lodge, York Rite, Scottish Rite, and Shrine affiliations, he is a member of the Arizona Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis (SRICF) and the Royal Order of Scotland. He is also the founder of Freemasonry Squared, a website dedicated to promoting Masonic education, content, and engagement.

Outside of his professional and Masonic pursuits, George is a devoted family man who enjoys technology, sporting clays, skydiving, and writing. Whether advancing cybersecurity initiatives, serving the fraternity, or spending time with family and friends, he remains committed to leadership, service, and lifelong learning.

Remembering MW Rickmer Fredericks today on the Anniversary of his passing!Aztlan Lodge #1
10/07/2026

Remembering MW Rickmer Fredericks today on the Anniversary of his passing!
Aztlan Lodge #1

IN MEMORY OF OUR PAST GRAND MASTERS |
Rickmer Nickels Fredericks, 13th Grand Master (1894)

Remembered on the 99th anniversary of his passing, October 5, 1927.

Did you know? Fredericks served as Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Arizona for 23 years.

Rickmer Fredericks was born on Heligoland, a small North Sea island then under British rule, the son of a fisherman. After school in Hamburg, he went to sea. He sailed twice to South America's west coast, ran railroad crews at a saltpeter mine in Iquique, and served as a quartermaster for the Pacific Steam Navigation Company between Panama and Chile.
Then he came "ashore" in Prescott, Arizona, where he rose to president of the Prescott National Bank. His 1902–1903 home is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Arizona Masons trusted him with their funds, too. A member of Aztlan Lodge No. 1, he was Grand Master in 1894 and served as Grand Treasurer for 23 years.
In 1921 he became the first Grand Master of the newly organized Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Arizona.
He crossed oceans, then stayed long enough to earn nearly a quarter century of trust.

TRUST IS BUILT YEAR BY YEAR. Faithful service, renewed again and again, becomes a legacy.

About Rickmer Nickels Fredericks:
Born March 13, 1855, on Heligoland. Died October 5, 1927, at his home in Pasadena, California, at 72.

Sources: Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of F. & A.M. of Arizona, 1928; The Pasadena Post and Arizona Daily Star, October 1927; National Register of Historic Places.

Research by
The Grand Historian and the George Roskruge & S. Barry Casey Masonic Memorial Library & Museum Foundation.

Lodge #1

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Gilbert, AZ
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