Our Lodge
Our Membership
Our membership honors the rich traditions of Freemasonry while embracing the future. We are a diverse and vibrant fraternity whose members reflect the many cultures, backgrounds, professions, and generations that make our community unique.
Today, our lodge is home to approximately 300 members, with an average age of 49. Our fastest-growing group is men under the age of 30, demonstrating that the values of Freemasonry continue to resonate with new generations.
Our Brothers come from every major faith tradition and represent a wide range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. They are business owners, educators, first responders, artists, entertainers, engineers, healthcare professionals, skilled tradespeople, and professionals from countless other fields. What unites us is not our differences, but our shared commitment to integrity, personal growth, service, and brotherhood.
In the Community
Giving back is at the heart of who we are. Our lodge and its members are proud to serve the Santa Monica community through charitable giving, volunteerism, and partnerships with local organizations. We believe that making a positive impact extends beyond the walls of our lodge.
Some of the ways we support our community include:
Proud sponsors of Santa Monica Little League and the Masons for Mits program
Providing scholarships for students at Santa Monica College
Organizing an annual Book Fair in partnership with the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District
Supporting and sponsoring the Westside Food Bank
These are just a few examples of our ongoing commitment to strengthening our community and improving the lives of those around us.
Membership Info.
Freemasonry welcomes men who are committed to personal growth, strong moral character, and making a positive impact in their communities. Membership is open to men 18 and older who believe in a Supreme Being, regardless of their faith or background.
Becoming a Mason begins with your own interest - our fraternity does not recruit members. Prospective members meet with lodge representatives to learn about Freemasonry and the membership process before submitting a petition. Those accepted begin a meaningful journey through the three degrees of Masonry, culminating in becoming a Master Mason.
If you're looking for lifelong friendships, opportunities to serve your community, and a path of personal development, we invite you to learn more about joining our lodge.
If you are interested in applying for membership to our lodge, now is a good time to start. Please Contact Us.
“Freemasonry welcomes men who are committed to personal growth, strong moral character, and making a positive impact in their communities.”
Lodge History
On the evening of March 9, 1891, seventeen Master Masons gathered at the home of Brother Martin Henry Volkman on Third Street, near Santa Monica Boulevard, to discuss establishing a Masonic lodge in the growing community of Santa Monica, then home to only a few thousand residents. Among those in attendance was Brother Abbott Kinney, a member of Pasadena Lodge No. 272 and the future founder of Venice, California (1905).
On June 10, 1891, the Grand Lodge of California granted a dispensation authorizing the formation of the lodge. Just a few days later, the first official meeting was held, and on October 14, 1891, Santa Monica Lodge No. 307 received its charter.
In just seven months, the vision first discussed in Brother Volkman's home became a fully chartered and active Masonic lodge. Brother Leroy Brown was elected to serve as the lodge's first Worshipful Master.
Lodge Mergers:
The lodge we know today is the result of several mergers that have brought together rich Masonic traditions from across the Westside.
The first merger took place in 1987, when Palisades Lodge No. 637 became part of Santa Monica Lodge No. 307. Founded in 1925, Palisades Lodge served the Pacific Palisades community for more than six decades before joining with Santa Monica.
Another chapter in our history traces back to West Los Angeles Lodge No. 373. Organized in 1922 by several members of Santa Monica Lodge, it was established as a "Veterans' Lodge" and flourished for many years in the Sawtelle and West Los Angeles communities. The lodge's historic Masonic Temple at the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Butler Avenue still stands today. In 1996, West Los Angeles Lodge No. 373 merged with Santa Monica–Palisades Lodge No. 307.
Most recently, in 2017, Riviera Lodge No. 780, also based in Pacific Palisades, merged with Santa Monica–Palisades Lodge No. 307, further strengthening our lodge and preserving another proud Masonic legacy.
Today, Santa Monica–Palisades Lodge No. 307 carries forward the traditions and heritage of all four lodges, united under one charter.
Re-Dedicated in 1996:
On January 17, 1994, the 6.7 Northridge earthquake caused extensive damage throughout the Los Angeles area, including the complete destruction of the Santa Monica Masonic Center at 926 Santa Monica Blvd. Through the dedication of its members and financial support from neighboring Riviera Lodge No. 780, the building was rebuilt and rededicated in September 1996 under the leadership of Lionel Ruhman, PM. Today, it continues to serve both the Masonic fraternity and the local community as an event space. In 2016, Santa Monica-Palisades Lodge No. 307 celebrated its 125th anniversary, honoring a long tradition of community service and a promising future.
Brother Leroy Brown (top left) served Lodge No. 307 as it’s first Worshipful Master in 1891.