About the Grand Orient of the United States

What is today the Grand Orient of the United States of America began on December 27th, 2005 when several lodges declared their independence from the Anglo-American Masonic system and formed a confederation of lodges under the banner "United Grand Lodge of America". They sought to restore the original Freemasonry practiced by the American founding fathers to the continent, and return to the philosophical movement of the Age of Enlightenment that had existed in the early Masonic lodges of England and France. This event allowed the original streams of Masonic thought, still existing in Europe, to once again flow freely into American lodges.

In November of 2007, more lodges declared their independence from the Anglo-American Masonic system and the Council of the Order was convened to formalize our relationship with our brethren in France and Europe. The Council voted unanimously to change the name of the United Grand Lodge of America to the Grand Orient of the United States of America in order to better, and more precisely, identify it with the existing currents of 'Modern' Freemasonry throughout the world.

On June 27th, 2008 the Grand Orients of France and the United States signed a Treaty of Amity, fully recognizing one another as sovereign Masonic powers. Since that time the two Grand Orients have worked closely together to further the cause of human rights around the globe.

The Grand Orient of France is the oldest continuously operating Grand Lodge in the world. It was created in 1728 by brothers from the original Grand Lodge of England (now defunct) that had been established in London in 1717. Benjamin Franklin worked closely with both of these Grand bodies and served as Grand Master of the original Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania (now defunct) and as Worshipful Master of the Lodge of the Nine Muses under the Grand Orient of France.

The original secular and cosmopolitan form of Freemasonry that began in London and Paris has been the victim of much misinformation, especially in the United States, where there exists a religiously oriented version of the fraternity that was started in 1755. Thus, many Americans have been wrongly led to believe that a person must be religious in order to become a Freemason.

The aim of the Grand Orient is the brotherhood of all humanity through a universal chain of union extending around the globe. If you are already with us in spirit then you are welcome to join with us in Masonic lodges throughout the world.

 

 

Learn!
Want to learn more about Modern FreeMasonry? Read "The Origins of Freemasonry: Facts & Fictions," by Margaret C. Jacob. Buy it here

 

Affiliated Orders

Grand Orient of France

The Grand Orient of France is an organisation which is motivated by two great principles which are apparently contradictory: the respect for a tradition inherited from the founders of Freemasonry and the quest for progress and the improvement of Man and Society.

The Grand Orient of France, which was established in 1728 and was, until the end of the 19th century, the only Masonic Order in France, is still fighting for the ideals of Liberty, Equality, and the Brotherhood of mankind, as well as the emancipation of the human spirit from superstition through reason.

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George Washington Union

The George Washington Union of Freemasons is open to men and women in North America. It welcomes individuals of good will and high moral values who are committed to working toward the progress of humanity.

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