Right Worshipful John A. Bridegroom was born on July 21, 1974, and raised in South Haven, Indiana. He graduated from Portage High School in 1992, where he met his high school sweetheart, Tammy. The two have been happily married for nearly 30 years and are the proud parents of two daughters, Diva and Phoenix.
Following high school, John attended the American Academy of Art in Chicago, earning an Associate Degree of Applied Science in Illustration. He has since built a successful career in graphic design, owning and operating VM Graphics, as well as The Master’s Craft, a company specializing in Masonic regalia.
John began his Masonic journey in Porter Lodge No. 137 in 2004. Within a year, he expanded his involvement by joining the Scottish Rite, Valley of South Bend, and Orak Shrine in Michigan City. The following year he joined the E.H. Gary York Rite. He served as Worshipful Master of Porter Lodge in 2008 and as Secretary in 2013.
In 2007, John was appointed to the Divan of Orak Shrine and went on to serve as Potentate in 2012. His York Rite work also flourished — after transferring to the Hammond York Rite, he served as Illustrious Master of the Council of Cryptic Masons (2010), High Priest of the Royal Arch Chapter, and Commander of the Commandery of Knights Templar (2012). He also holds life membership in the Kalakaua York Rite of Hawaii, where he has served as an appointed officer in both the Grand Chapter and Grand Commandery.
In recognition of his service, John was named Cryptic Mason of the Year in 2011. Two years later, he was elected to the Grand Line of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of the State of Indiana, culminating in his service as Most Illustrious Grand Master (2018–2019). On the national stage, he has served as General Grand Sentinel and General Grand Marshal, and has been honored with both the General Grand Order of the Secret Vault and the Columbian Award, two of the highest honors in Cryptic Masonry.
John’s work within the Scottish Rite, Valley of South Bend continues to be a highlight of his Masonic career. Appointed to the John Hazen White Chapter of Rose Croix in 2018, he served as Most Wise Master from 2022 to 2024 and currently serves as a Trustee. In 2025, he was coroneted a 33° Sovereign Grand Inspector General.
His dedication to the Craft has led him to membership and leadership in many invitational and research bodies of Freemasonry. Among his many honors and titles, John is a Past Excellent Chief (Knight Masons), Past Director General (Yeoman of York), Past Puissant Sovereign (Red Cross of Constantine), Past Preceptor (Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests), and Past Master (St. Thomas of Acon, where he also served nationally as Past Grand Marshal). He is a Past Prior (Knights York Cross of Honor), recipient of the Knight Grand Cross of Honor, Past Governor (York Rite College), recipient of the Order of the Purple Cross, and Past President of the Council of Associate Regents.
In addition, John has served as Past Master in the Masonic Order of Athelstan, where he has worked nationally as Provincial Grand Secretary and Grand Lecturer, and holds the honorary rank of Past Grand Banner Bearer. He has also served as Sovereign Master in the Allied Masonic Degrees and currently serves as Junior Grand Deacon of the Grand Council of Allied Masonic Degrees of the USA, having received the Sixth Grade of the Order of the Scarlet Cord.
John’s passion for the philosophical and esoteric dimensions of Freemasonry has drawn him to several of its more contemplative orders. He is a member of the Order of Spiritual Knights, the Hermetic Order of Martinists, and Past Guardian of Light in the August Order of Light, where he now serves as President of Garuda Temple No. 10 in Indianapolis. He is also Chief Adept of the Indiana College of the Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis (SRICF), holding the IX°, the society’s highest grade.
He is further affiliated with the Texas Lodge of Research, Missouri Lodge of Research, Order of the Gordian Knot, Order of Pilgrim Preceptors, the Royal Order of Scotland (life member), Philalethes Society, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Grottoes International, and the Grand College of Rites.
John’s many honors for service to the Craft include the Honorary Legion of Honor (Order of DeMolay), Order of Service to Freemasonry (Grand Lodge of Indiana), Order of Holy Wisdom (Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests), Knight Commander of the Temple (Grand Encampment of Knights Templar), and both Grand Chapter Ritualist and Distinguished Companion awards.
He is a Past Master of Dwight L. Smith Lodge of Research, a member of Quatuor Coronati Lodge of Research Correspondence Circle, and serves as Local Secretary for Indiana. In 2018, John founded Crowned Martyrs Lodge No. 771, where he continues to serve as Secretary. He holds honorary memberships in 54 Lodges across Indiana. John also served as PR and Marketing Director of the Grand Lodge of Indiana (2013–2015, 2017–2021) and was appointed Junior Grand Deacon in 2021. He currently serves as Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Indiana.
Outside of Freemasonry, John’s dedication to community, leadership, and service has also been recognized through several distinguished civic honors. He has been commissioned a Kentucky Colonel, named a Tennessee Squire, and awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash, among the highest tributes bestowed by the Governors of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana respectively. These honors stand as a testament to his lifelong commitment to service, fellowship, and the betterment of his community.
Over more than two decades in Freemasonry, Right Worshipful Brother Bridegroom has devoted himself wholeheartedly to the Craft—seeking, learning, teaching, and serving wherever possible. Freemasonry has taken him across the country and around the world, offering opportunities beyond imagination. To John, the Brotherhood has fulfilled all its promises—and the key that opened every door has always been service to the Craft.
