Freemasons: Hillsborough Masonic Lodge Tampa Florida

Benefits of Freemasonry

Master Masons Florida

The Masonic Home of Florida is the pride and joy of all Florida Masons. It is funded by contributions from all Master Masons and Lodges within Florida, and is shining example of our steadfast commitment to charity and relief for our Brothers, their wives and widows. It is one of the very few, 5 star rated care facilities in the State.

Emergency Relief

Master Masons in good standing shall be given the benefit of emergency financial relief in an amount not to exceed $1,000.00 per occurrence, or exceed a period longer than 3 months. This relief shall be extended to all worthy Master Masons, their wives, widows and orphans, whose need is urgent and who cannot provide for themselves. In addition, should you become financially distressed in another location, you may apply for this relief through the local Board of Relief or the Masonic Relief Association of the United States and Canada. Your home Masonic Lodge will be contacted and your condition explained to a Lodge Officer. If all else fails, you may find the nearest Masonic Lodge within your location, and make your needs known to the Worshipful Master of that particular Lodge.

Masonic Burial Service

Master Masons in good standing shall be afforded the privilege of Masonic Funeral Rites. These Rites are conducted only at the request of the deceased Brother or a member of his immediate family. The first Rite is given at the chapel service; the second at the graveside. Both chapel and graveside services may be held in conjunction with any religious service and are non-sectarian in nature. A Masonic Funeral Rite is the last tribute that can be shown to a worthy Brother and his family, as his labors on this Earth have ceased.

Hospital Service Fund

Master Masons in good standing shall be afforded the benefit of the Hal W. Adams Hospital Service Fund. It was established to assist Master Masons, his wife, widow, and orphans, who may be sick, afflicted, injured or in need of medical care. Original grants from this fund are not to exceed the sum of $500.00; however, when a greater need is apparent, additional grants made be made upon approval.

Admission to the Masonic Home

Master Masons in good standing shall be eligible for admission to the Masonic Home of Florida. This eligibility shall be extended to all distressed and worthy Master Masons, their wives or widows, subject to the conditions set forth in the Rules and Regulations of the Masonic Home. A brief outline is provided below:

A Master Mason must be a member of a Florida Lodge not less than 10 years.
A Master Mason must be a member of a Florida Lodge before attaining the age of 60 years.
A wife or widow of a Master Mason is only eligible for residency based on her husband's membership in a Florida Masonic Lodge.

Application for admission to the Masonic Home must be submitted to the Brother's home Lodge, which will then be forwarded to the Admissions Board. There are provisions set forth to accommodate Brother Master Masons from other States. Please contact the Grand Lodge of Florida for further information.

Masonic Lodge Visitation

Master Masons in good standing shall be eligible to visit Masonic Lodges around the country and around the World. Due trial, strict examination, and a current dues card will be required of you by the Tyler of that particular Lodge. While every Master Mason should be extended this courtesy, the final decision of admittance rests solely with the Worshipful Master of that particular Lodge.

Masonic Low Twelve Club

Hillsborough County Florida

The Masonic Low Twelve Club of Tampa is a Benefit Fund organized for Master Masons, whose membership, including dual memberships, is in a Masonic Lodge in Hillsborough County, Florida. The purpose of the Low Twelve Club is to provide, immediately upon the death of a member in good standing, a sum of money for the benefit of his widow or other beneficiary designated by said member. For the year 2010, the benefit is $1,500.00.

The beneficiary or beneficiaries that may be named by any member are hereby limited to the widow of such deceased members, a relative by blood, a legally adopted child, step-child, or any Masonic Body in this State to which said member may belong, or the Masonic Home of Florida. If, at the time of death of such member, the beneficiary named in his application be not living and no other beneficiary be provided for, then the benefits to which member may be entitle at the time of his death shall be paid to his lineal descendants per stirpes, and if there be no such, to his father or mother, and if there be no such, to the Masonic Home of Florida.

Only Master Masons in good standing in their respective Masonic Lodges, not over 65 years of age at last birthday, and in good health at time of applying for membership, are eligible and may become members, upon written application approved by the Board of Trustees and without other formality.

It shall be the duty of each member, upon receipt of any assessment notice, to mail or pay to the Secretary-Treasurer the amount of said assessment within a reasonable time, and any member failing to pay the same shall be subject to suspension. The Board of Trustees shall cause an investigation to be made of the reason for non-payment, and shall have the power to suspend the delinquent member, or, to excuse the payment based upon Masonic principles of right and justice.

Any member, whose membership in his Masonic Lodge is terminated, automatically loses membership in the Masonic Low Twelve Club of Tampa, without any right or remedy to benefits.

Annual dues are currently $100.00 per year, and can be billed quarterly. There are approximately 800 members currently enrolled in the Masonic Low Twelve Club. Any additional questions or concerns should be sent to the Lodge via the Contact Page. Thank you for your interest in the Masonic Low Twelve Club.

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