J. Wendell Fargis Lodge No. 356 F&AM

J. Wendell Fargis Masonic Lodge

Beaches Masons

The Masonic Blue Lodge is located just East of Jacksonville, FL in Neptune Beach on a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Intracoastal Waterway on the West.

Our Address is 2130 Florida Blvd. Neptune Beach Florida 32266
The Lodge Secretary Arthur W. Barfield can be reached by Phone: (904) 246-6530
Lodge Hours: The Lodge will be open for phone calls and visitations Monday - Friday 9AM till Noon.

Freemasonry is a fraternal organization that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th centuries probably in the stonemason guilds of Scotland. Freemasonry exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around three million (including approx. 480,000 in Great Britain and under two million in the United States). At its heart, Freemasonry is a self-improvement organization. Through three initiation rituals, lectures and other ceremonies, combined with social and charitable activities, Freemasons seek to improve themselves as they improve the communities in which they live. To join, one must believe in a Supreme Being, be upright, moral and honest in character, and be recommended by a Mason.

Freemasonry employs the tools and instruments of stonemasonry to teach a system of morality, friendship and brotherly love, hence, the standard emblem of Freemasonry is the square and compasses. In the United States, Freemasonry is organized locally into lodges and supervised by Grand Lodges. There are fifty-two Grand Lodges in the United States (one for each state plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) and more than 10,000 local lodges. There are numerous Appendant and affiliate Masonic organizations such as the Order of the Eastern Star, Scottish Rite, York Rite and the Shrine. Each of these organizations has its own leadership but all ultimately subordinate to the state Grand Lodges.

Freemasonry is kindness in the home; honesty in business; courtesy toward others; dependability in ones work; compassion for the unfortunate; resistance to evil; help for the weak; concern for good government; support for public education; and above all, a life-practicing reverence for God and love of fellow man. Through the influence of good men such as George Washington, Freemasonry and its ideals continue to thrive around the world.

Many Masons become Masons because a family member is, or was a Mason. Others become Masons because they have friends or co-worker who are Masons. Even with that it is difficult to learn about Masonry. Questions like what are the benefits of Masonry? What could being a Mason mean to me? Men who have belonged to things that seem larger than life, that have great purpose or have been part of a group that had a strong determination to accomplish something share a similar experience. It is a bond that is deeper than friendship and equally loyal. A Mason, can meet a Mason in any part of the world and be welcomed as if lifelong friends. This is because they are joined by a collective experience and a shared commitment to moral integrity. Men who meet regularly and share a Lodge find fellowship and a commonality of interest to be better men. This is the crux of Masonry, this deep determination to be a better man, a more meaningful part of society and a light to other men. The vehicle for this in Masonry is through the study of history and the use of metaphors in teaching great truths as well as in the discussion of principles of healthy and moral behavior. It is exemplified through the living examples of Brother Master Masons within and outside of a Lodge. Is Masonry for you? Listen deeply., what do you most want? Still have questions? Find a Mason and talk with him.