We have members from all walks of life. Inside our doors, worldly distinctions are disregarded, and all men are considered to be “on the level,” and stand as equals, regardless of race, ethic background, or economic status.

It is an organization made up of like-minded individuals dedicated to “Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.”

Brotherly love. We value respect, freedom, kindness, tolerance, and our differences – religious, ethnic, cultural, social, generational, and educational – and strive for harmony in our individual lives, in our lodges, and in the global community. We are also a fraternity, and our Lodge is a place where lasting friendships can form.

Relief. We take responsibility for the well-being of our brothers, our families, and the community as a whole. We provide relief through philanthropy, community involvement, and delivery of excellent care.

Truth. We stay true to our personal code of conduct and ethics – honor, integrity, personal responsibility, and the continuous pursuit of knowledge.

Freemasonry is not a religion, and it does not promote the values and ideals of one particular religion over another. A belief in a Supreme Being is a requirement to join our fraternity, but we believe the way you choose to worship is between you and your church. Our members are expected to live upright and moral lives, regardless of the doctrine they follow.

Our ceremonies are very old, and are used to impart certain lessons that every man can apply to his own life, in an effort to become a better man. It is said that one of the aims of Freemasonry is to make good men better. That is achieved both through a careful study of our ceremonies, and by being surrounded by like-minded individuals who share that lofty goal.

Much is made about Freemasonry and Secrecy. Despite what you may have heard, Freemasonry is not a secret society. All members are free to acknowledge their membership publicly. Our meeting places are well-marked, and easy to locate, and our constitutions and rules are available for anyone to see. We are open about our mission and goals, and we frequently work within the community and proudly display our affiliation with the fraternity. There are some secrets – namely the specifics of our ceremonies, and our modes of recognition, but this is no different than many other similar organizations who have similar private aspects that are only shared with their members.

Men are drawn to our fraternity for a variety of reasons. Some come for personal development – and others come because they want to share an experience with their father, grandfather, or some other man in their lives who was a mason. Still others come for the history, or are drawn to it because of something they saw in a movie or read in a book. Men who join us for these and many other reasons ultimately find something of value in the organization, and often more than they expected.

Volumes can (and have) been written about Freemasonry – its history and purpose – but the best way to learn about it is to become a part of it.

Welcome to The World's Oldest and Largest Fraternity

About Our Lodge

The recorded history of Hope Lodge dates from June 29th 1856, although there is evidence that Masons were in Vermilionville, as Lafayette was first known, as early as the 1840s and probably even earlier. The official history of Hope Lodge 145 F. & A. Am. begins on February 10th, 1857, with the granting of its charter.
The first Lodge was a one-story structure. In addition to serving as a meeting place for the Order, the building was used as a schoolhouse, a Baptist Church, and a meeting place for the Vermilionville Grange. After the Civil War, the old Masonic building was raised in a second story was added. This building served until 1916, when the membership became so large it was necessary to consider larger quarters. In 19i6 it was decided that a new Temple was to be built. The new Lodge was completed and dedicated in 1917 on Vermilion Street. The Temple was renovated in 1958, with an elevator and other modern conveniences. In 2000, the cost to maintain the aging building necessitated its sale. Thereafter, the Lodge relocated to it's present address on Carl Street.

How To Join

Membership is open to men age 18 and older who believe in a Supreme Being and meet the qualifications and standards. Men of all ethnic and religious backgrounds are welcome – Freemasonry does not discriminate based upon religious or political views.

Masons do not recruit and therefore will not ask you to join a lodge – you must ask to join. We will talk to you about the lodge, the history of Freemasonry, and what events we have planned at the Lodge, but you will never be asked to join. To become a member, one must ask – it is as simple as that!

If you are interested in joining our Lodge, or just getting more information about the Fraternity, please feel to come visit us. We meet the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month at the Lodge at about 6pm. We also put on many special events which are open to the public. Come down and see us! We would be happy to talk to you and answer any questions you have about our Lodge and the fraternity itself.

In addition to coming down to the Lodge, you can also contact us online, and we will be happy to answer any questions you might have. The Grand Lodge of Louisiana website has many resources that may answer any questions you don’t find answered here – as well as a Lodge Locator if you don’t live in the Lafayette area and would like to find a Lodge closer to home.

Before submitting an application, we will want to get to know you. We are a society of friends and brothers, and as such, it is expected that you will get to know some of our members before you can be admitted. You will need to get two members to recommend you for membership, and for that, they need to get to know you! Don’t be intimidated by this! We are very welcoming of new prospects, and you will have many opportunities to make new friends. Before you know it, you will have the signatures you need to apply for membership.

Once you have submitted your application, it will be read at our next monthly business meeting. After the application is accepted, a background check will be conducted, and you will be contacted by a few members of the lodge who will interview you, in an effort to get to know you better and answer any questions you and your family have about the fraternity. After those members have submitted their reports, your application will be voted upon at the next business meeting. You will then be notified of the result, and then told what happens next!