Learn More

About

Freemasonry is a fraternal organization where good men work to become a better version of themselves. More specifically, as Freemasons, we use ceremonies that follow the operative stonemasons' teachings. We, use these teachings as allegorical guides for improving ourselves.

The Adel Lodge received its charter from the Grand Lodge of Iowa on June 4th, 1856. The Lodge was the second business to establish in the city of Adel. Shortly after, the Lodge purchased the Risser and Son Building located at 101 N. Ninth St. The building was a three-story building with the Lodge room on the upper floor. In 1986 the Lodge moved to 411 S. 12th St, where it remains today.

To learn more about Freemasonry, visit the Grand Lodge of Iowa.

Membership


Contrary to popular belief, to join the world's oldest fraternity, it must be of your own free will and accord. Meaning you will never receive an invitation to join. In fact, the fraternity has even adopted the saying, "To be one, ask one." Sometimes displayed simply as "2B1A1."

If you don't know a Freemason, you can contact the Grand Lodge of your State, and they will help you get in contact with a lodge near you. If you live near the Des Moines and Adel area, you can contact the Adel Lodge directly by either calling or sending an e-mail.

(515) 318 - 7687
AdelLodge80@gmail.com

To petition for membership, you must meet the following criteria:

  • You're joining of your own free will
  • You're a man, 18 years of age
  • Belief in a Supreme Being
  • Respect other religions, culture's, and opinions
If you're interested in joining the world's oldest and largest fraternity, you can complete the petition found here. After you complete the petition, contact a member of the Lodge or the Lodge directly. The Lodge will read your petition in the next meeting and organize an Investigation Committee to meet with you.

The Investigation Committee will meet with you to discuss your character and determine if you're a good fit for the Lodge. Keep in mind; the meeting isn't a one-sided conversation. You're encouraged to ask any questions that you may have. The members of the Lodge will vote on your petition in the following meeting. If accepted, the Lodge will contact you to schedule your initiation.

Events



History


Many people are proud of their heritage. By petitioning for membership in an Iowa Masonic lodge, you will be associating with an Iowa fraternal order that was organized in 1844, several years before our state was admitted into the Union. Freemasonry, however, dates its formal beginnings to the 17th Century. Thus, you will become, upon acceptance,  a member of not only the oldest (and most prestigious) fraternity in Iowa but also in the entire world. You will become a member of an organization whose Iowa roots extend back to our first territorial governor and whose heritage includes many of Iowa's finest citizens.

There were many Masons among the vanguard of pioneers that came to the Territory in the early 1840s. They came in wagons and on boats, settled along the Mississippi., and staked their claims. Some of them were farmers, but there were also merchants, teachers, businessmen, miners, lawyers, and politicians, all of them anxious and excited about the opportunities that awaited them in the "heartland" -- Iowa -- "the beautiful land" as the Indians called it.

By the time the "Iowa Territory" was two years old, the settlers discovered they had a fraternal kinship. According to the records, the first Masonic meeting in the Iowa Territory was held on the evening of November 6, 1840, in the Burlington carpenter shop of Brother Evan Evans. As a result of that meeting, a dispensation was granted on November 20, 1840, by the Grand Lodge of Missouri to form a Masonic lodge at Burlington, Des Moines, Lodge No. 41.

Several months later (on Feburary 4, 1841), similar action was taken, resulting in the formation of Iowa Lodge No. 42. at Bloomington (later to become Muscatine.) Dubuque Lodge No. 62 was officially formed by the pioneer Masons in Dubuque on October 10, 1842. On December 9, 1842, nine Masons met in Iowa City to organize the last of the four lodges, which would form the Grand Lodge of Iowa, A.F & A.M., Iowa City Lodge No. 63.

A delegation was appointed to attend the next session of the Grand Lodge of Missouri with a petition to form the Grand Lodge of Iowa. The request was granted on January 2, 1844, and, just one week later, delegates from those first four lodges met in a room over Sanxer's Iron Store in Iowa City and organized the Grand Lodge of Iowa, A.F & A.M. The first four lodges were officially designated as Des Moines Lodge No. 1 (with 25 members,) Iowa Lodge No.2 (with 20 members), Dubuque Lodge No. 3 (with 28 members), and Iowa City Lodge No. 4 (with 28 members). Total membership of the Grand Lodge of Iowa was 101 members.

Contact

Adel Lodge #80
411 S. 12th
Adel, IA 50003

AdelLodge80@gmail.com
(515) 318 - 7687