The Grand Lodge of Florida
The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Florida is the governing body of regular Freemasonry within the State of Florida. It holds sole authority to charter, regulate, and govern all recognized Masonic Lodges operating within its jurisdiction.
All Lodges within District 26 operate under its authority and in accordance with Florida Masonic law.
A Brief History of Florida Freemasonry
Freemasonry has existed in Florida since the colonial period, though many early records were lost or suppressed under changing governments. The earliest documented Lodge was Grant’s East Florida Lodge No. 143, chartered in 1768 by the Grand Lodge of Scotland in St. Augustine. During periods of Spanish control, Masonic activity was repeatedly suppressed, forcing Lodges to dissolve or relocate while preserving their records elsewhere. Despite these challenges, Florida Masons continued working under the authority of recognized Grand Lodges from neighboring jurisdictions.
Permanent, stable Masonry took root in 1825 with the chartering of Jackson Lodge in Tallahassee, followed by two additional Lodges in Quincy and Marianna. In 1830, these three Lodges convened to form the Grand Lodge of Florida, bringing regular Freemasonry under a single governing body in the territory. The Grand Lodge initially met in Tallahassee before relocating permanently to Jacksonville in 1870. Since then, it has governed Florida Freemasonry, chartering Lodges statewide and maintaining recognition with regular Grand Lodges around the world.
Recognition
The Grand Lodge of Florida is in amity with other regular Grand Lodges throughout the United States and internationally. Only Lodges chartered by, or recognized by, the Grand Lodge of Florida are considered regular within this jurisdiction.
Relationship to District 26
The Grand Lodge of Florida organizes the state into zones & districts to streamline oversight and support for its Lodges.
District 26 operates under the authority of the Grand Lodge of Florida. The District’s Masters & Wardens Association supports coordination and collaboration among Lodges within the district, but does not exercise independent governing authority.
All matters of chartering, discipline, and Masonic law ultimately rest with the Grand Lodge.