e are a Masonic Lodge constituted under the Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of Wisconsin. We meet in the Lake Masonic Center at 1235 E. Howard Avenue in Milwaukee, WI. Our focus as a lodge is in charitable endeavors and support of community-oriented programs.

About Freemasonry

Freemasonry is a voluntary association of men who share a core set of common ideals and have a sincere desire to improve their communities through the instruction into and inculcation of moral principles. The tenets of Freemasonry as explained in the Entered Apprentice Lectures are Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. These are the elements we seek to encourage in our communities and we strive to show these beauties to all mankind by always treating our neighbors as brothers and friends, bringing comfort and charity to those in need, and never lying, cheating, or committing acts of deception and trickery in our community, business, or social conduct.

Freemasonry is not a religion and does not require any religious test of its members or candidates beyond requiring them to signify that they believe in a Supreme Being. We do not dictate how any man should worship, instead leaving that up to their own conscience. The sanctity of a man's religious beliefs should never be violated by any secular order, Freemasonry included.

Freemasonry is not an insurance organization or benefit society. Masonic charity is universally extensive and countless many have benefited from it, many never even knowing the origins of their relief. A Lodge has a duty to relieve a destitute brother and care for his family or widows and orphans and personal relief is a routine contribution for many Lodges. However, candidates are highly discouraged from joining for the purpose of monetary gain and must signify that they have the means and intent to support themselves and family before being considered for membership.

Freemasonry is not a secret society. Our business meetings and initiatory ceremonies are held behind closed doors (Tiled in Masonic usage). This is no different from many other orders. Many of our functions are held publicly, including funerals, cornerstone laying ceremonies, installation of officers, award ceremonies, and benefit events. In addition, Lodges routinely sponsor community events such as dinners, Table Lodges, outings, sporting events, barbecues, social engagements, family picnics, museum visits, and volumes more. There is more to Masonry that is publicly visible than there is that is hidden.

Since some of our business is conducted in Tiled Lodges, information relating to that business must also be guarded to some extent. The Grand Lodge of WI publishes the official Multi-Letter Cipher with Monitorial and Floor Work which is the guide to all ritual work in the Lodge. A significant portion of it is in plain English but some of it is obscured or encoded to a multi-letter (maximum of three) cipher. The obligations (or oaths) are encoded to a single-letter cipher for added protection. The minutes of our stated communications are not open for public examination, nor are our financial statements. There are also things such usages, signs, grips, and words that are kept secret to distinguish Masons in the community and to mark their consequence among men.

But it should be no secret that a man is a Mason. We generally wear rings bearing the Square and Compasses, our most recognized emblem. We meet in clearly-marked buildings and our meeting times are usually published in local newspapers. We do not conceal anything about our existence, goal, values, beliefs, or members.

About Excelsior Lodge

Excelsior Lodge is about 136 years old. It began in Milwaukee on 25th street and National Avenue. That building is now gone, sadly. We have been a tenant Lodge ever since, having stayed for a time at West Allis Masonic Temple on 76th st and National Avenue (owned by West Allis Lodge #291) in West Allis, and now at Lake Masonic Center on Howard Ave. and Clement St. in Milwaukee (owned by Lake Lodge #189), very near St. Francis (the parking lot is in Milwaukee and the building is in St. Francis according to the old survey lines). We have 132 members with about 10-15 attending meetings regularly. We meet twice a month on the second and fourth Mondays from 7 PM until 9 PM (sometimes later depending on business). We have dinner prior to each meeting to promote fellowship and community. Our dinners are open to everyone.

For more information about Freemasonry or Excelsior Lodge, contact the Excelsior Lodge Membership Committee (membership@excelsiorlodge.org), or Junior Deacon Mike Clinnin (mclinnin@excelsiorlodge.org).