RhodeIsland

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The Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable Society
of Free and Accepted Masons for
the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations


Thomas Oxnard, Provincial Grand Master of New England and Grand Master of Massachusetts, granted the petition for the constitution of St. John’s Lodge of Newport on December 27, 1749, the first in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

The successful petition of St John’s Lodge of Newport inspired the petition of an additional lodge, St. John’s of Providence. That Charter was granted on January 17, 1757.

Rhode Island Freemasons actively participated in the Revolutionary War including the destruction of the British revenue sloop “Liberty” at Newport, the burning of the British revenue schooner “Gaspee” in Narragansett Bay, the pursuit and grounding of a tender of the British frigate “Rose” onto Conanicut Island, and the capture of British General Richard Prescott by Col. William Barton, a member of St. Johns Lodge Providence.

After the Revolutionary War, committees from the two lodges proposed the creation of a Grand Lodge in Rhode Island. On Monday June 27, 1791 brethren representing the two lodges met at the State House in Newport and organized a Grand Lodge in accordance with the plan that had been approved.

Today, there are 24 lodges in Rhode Island located throughout the state. A 25th lodge, Colligivm Luminosvm, is a research lodge and meets at various locations throughout the state. web site.