Porter Lodge No. 137, as an organization rooted in the principles of Freemasonry, encourages its members to be actively involved in the communities. Community involvement is an important aspect of Masonic philosophy, as it aligns with the core values of charity, benevolence, and the pursuit of knowledge. Here are some common ways in which a Porter Lodge may engage in community involvement:

1. Charitable Activities: We frequently engage in charitable endeavors to support various causes. This can include fundraising events, donations to local charities, and volunteering for community service projects. The Lodge often organize initiatives to address issues such as poverty, education, healthcare, and disaster relief.

2. Scholarships and Educational Programs: Our Masonic organizations may offer scholarships and educational programs to support local students. These initiatives can include financial assistance for college or vocational education, mentoring programs, and recognition of academic achievements.

3. Public Events: Masonic lodges may organize or participate in public events aimed at promoting community cohesion. This can involve hosting open houses, public lectures, or cultural events that are accessible to the wider community. Such activities provide opportunities for dialogue, education, and fostering understanding among people from diverse backgrounds.

4. Masonic Youth Organizations: Masonic lodges often sponsor youth organizations such as the Order of DeMolay for boys or the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. These organizations focus on character development, leadership training, and community service. Masonic lodges support and mentor these youth groups, encouraging their members to engage in community-oriented activities.

5. Blood Drives and Health Initiatives: Wes organize blood drives in collaboration with local blood banks or healthcare organizations. Additionally, we support health initiatives by organizing health fairs, providing free medical screenings, or promoting awareness campaigns on topics like mental health, disease prevention, or healthy living.

6. Historical Preservation: Given the historical significance of Freemasonry, some lodges actively participate in historical preservation efforts. This can involve restoration projects for Masonic buildings, cemeteries, or monuments, as well as educational programs that explore the historical impact of Freemasonry on society. Our Lodge does the same.

7. Moral and Ethical Education: Masonic lodges often promote moral and ethical education among their members and the wider community. This can be done through seminars, workshops, or public lectures on topics like ethics, personal development, and responsible citizenship.

It's important to note that the specific community involvement activities of a Masonic lodge may vary depending on the lodge's location, size, resources, and the interests of its members. Each lodge has the flexibility to determine how it can best serve its community while upholding the principles of Freemasonry.

Our Membership Process

Your involvement in Freemasonry starts with simply asking to be considered for membership and choosing a local lodge you would like to petition. Our fraternity is open to responsible adult men (18 and above), of good character, with a belief in a Supreme Being, and without regard to religion, race, income, education, or political opinion.

Sign up to be contacted by a membership liaison. You may contact any lodge and set up a time to meet with some of the Masons of that lodge to get a feel for the experience at that location. There may be several lodges near you, and it is your choice which lodge to petition. You are encouraged to find the one you feel most comfortable with, which may not necessarily be the closest.

​Next, you need to complete a membership petition and submit it to the lodge you have chosen. An initiation fee, generally $75 to $200 (this amount is determined by the local lodge), accompanies the petition. Within approximately 45 days, someone from the lodge will contact you for an interview. During this time period, you will need to submit information for a background check, this will help verify the information you provide on your petition. The Lodge Secretary or a Member will help you with this process, it is very easy. Use this opportunity to ask any questions you might have. Your spouse, friend, or parent is also encouraged to attend this interview and even to tour the lodge itself. Your references will also be contacted and asked to answer some general questions about you.

​This process is just so we can get a better understanding of the candidate and ensure they meet our requirements. The lodge, at its next meeting, will then vote on your petition.

​If your petition is approved, you are on your way to becoming an Indiana Freemason. 

Basic Indiana Freemason Membership Requirements:

Be a man at least 18 years of age
Be of good moral character
A Belief in God
Ask to join
A resident of Indiana (Minimum 6 months)

 Contact Porter Lodge No.137 | Background Check Website

MADISON
Organized July 14, 1819, under dispensation issued April 1, 1819, by Deputy General Grand High Priest, Thomas Smith Webb; but Webb died without making official report of his action to General Grand Chapter. The Chapter made no returns, believing it was wording under charter as an independent body. Hence General Grand Chapter at its September, 1819, meeting having only hearsay evidence of its existence took no action and no charter was granted; but Chapter continued to work U.D. until 1829, when it suspended until July 19, 1842, when it resumed labor. In 1843 its irregularity was brought to their attention Deputy General Grand High Priest Stapleton, and it ceased labor and petitioned General Grand Chapter to heal and confirm its doings from September, 1819, to date; this was done by General Grand Chapter September 12, 1844, and a charter was granted, upon the Chapter healing the member's by re-obligating them. This confirmation gives the Chapter an unbroken record since July 14, 1819. Regretfully, Madison No. 1 was consolidated with Columbus No. 10 on September 11, 2000.

BROOKVILLE
Organized under dispensation given by Deputy General Grand High Priest Thomas Smith Webb sometime during 1819, but Webb died before General Grand Chapter met in September, 1819, and no official report was made of its formation; upon the hearsay evidence General Grand Chapter did not act, and no charter was granted. General Grand Chapter gives the order of formation as Madison first and Brookville second. Brookville met with Madison and Vincennes, at Madison, May 13, 1823, and organized a Grand Chapter, which never functioned thereafter, and Brookville Chapter passed out of existence, with no records left even of its brief career.

VINCENNES
Organized June 16, 1820, under dispensation issued May 13, 1820, by General Grand King, John Snow. September 15, 1826, the Committee on Doings of General Grand Officers reported That charter's have been granted to Vincennes Chapter on May 13, 1820, and the Jennings Mark Lodge at Vevay on May 4, 1821.” This Chapter during its early years was very peripatetic, and aside from taking part in the formation of a Grand Chapter at Madison in May, 1823, which went for naught, it suspended functions on four different occasions, viz, from March 9, 1830, to December 29, 1834; from August 7, 1836, to May 2, 1838- from February 3, 1839, to February 28, 1842, and from November 16, 1842, to May 7, 1845. On this last date it resolved to participate in the approaching meeting at Indianapolis for the purpose of forming a Grand Chapter and, although five delegates were named, not one was present at the formation. About this time the history of Vincennes Chapter was rather clouded. Whether it was working under dispensation or charter is not clear; for on May 22, 1848, Grand Chapter provided that "a charter or dispensation be issued in vacation by the Grand High Priest and one other Grand Officer, which although the Chapter met on June 30, 1848, to receive it, and the Grand High Priest, at the May, 1849, Annual, reports that a charter has been issued to Vincennes Chapter No. 7, yet future developments reveal it was never delivered, and that the Chapter really received a Dispensation granted in 1848, signed by the Grand High Priest, but not even attested by the Grand Secretary," as reported by Grand High Priest William Hacker in 1858, and upon Hacker’s recommendation a charter was granted on May 21, 1858.

FIRST GRAND CHAPTER

Madison Chapter, Brookville Chapter, and Vincennes Chapter met at Madison on May 13, 1823, and organized a Grand Chapter. From some cause, it never met afterwards, and was actually and legally dissolved by reasons of its failure to comply with its own constitutional requirements to meet and elect officers at the regular meeting in May, 1824. Neither was General Grand Chapter advised of its existence, except hearsay: said body therefore on September 12, 1844, declared it to have no legal existence or authority. This paved the way for the present Grand Chapter of December, 1845.

Compiled by Robert A. Woods, P.G.H.P.

The requirements to be knighted a Templar are numerous and weighty. In the State of Indiana, you must be a Cryptic Mason in good standing, profess a belief in the Christian religion and be willing to defend the Holy Christian Bible.

The Knights Templar is descended from the ancient Poor Fellowsoldiers of the Temple of Solomon who protected the pilgrims on the road to Jerusalem. The Templars are believed to have begun on of the first seagoing trading routes and flew the Skull and Crossbones as their seagoing flag (long before that symbolized piracy). The fascinating history behind the Templars spans 7 centuries of history stretching from the crusades until the present time.

Many myths and superstitions are based around the Templars, the most interesting and perhaps most widespread is the legend of Friday the 13th is said to have been traced to October 13, 1307 when a surprise order, conjured up by the King of France, simultaneously captured most Templars in a daring morning raid. This raid stretched across France and neighboring countries capturing almost all Templars. Those that escaped capture, went underground and found a home in Freemasonry.

It is interesting to note that the young men’s (<18 years old) group within the Masonic Fraternity (De Molay) is named after the last Grand Master of the Templar's, Jacques De Molay.
The Commandary confers three orders:

1. Illustrious Order of the Red Cross
2. Order of Malta
3. Order of the Temple

At the conclusion of the Order of the Temple, a companion is Knighted and then addressed as Sir Knight.

It is also interesting to note that anciently, the 18th degree in the Northern Jurisdiction of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, the Rose Croix degree, was originally a York Rite degree and part of the Commandary orders.
The Commandary’s stated meeting is the first Monday of the Month and meets with the other two bodies of the York Rite in Valparaiso, the Chapter and Council.

The philanthropical workings of the Templars benefit the Knights Templar Eye Foundation.

All Commandary’s in the State of Indiana report to the Grand Commandary of Indiana, who in turn is under the jurisdiction of the Grand Encampment of the United States.

All State Bodies are under the jurisdiction of the Grand Encampment of the United States.
The Knights Templar is the only Uniformed Body of the Freemasons. There is no requirement for a member of the Commandary to wear this uniform; however, to participate in parades, certain rituals, etc. there is a need. Another interesting fact is the Templars, in full uniform, participate in the 32° in the Scottish Rite.