What it costs to be a Freemason

The short answer

That is the figure to hold in your head. It includes the annual subscription to the lodge and a meal at each of the four annual meetings. It does not include the one-off initiation fee in your first year, or the cost of buying your own regalia. Ben Rogers, Membership Officer, will confirm the full first-year cost before you decide to apply.

What the annual figure covers

Around £300 per year, includes meals. The annual figure covers lodge membership and the meal at each of the four regular meetings.

What it does not cover

The one-off initiation fee. In your first year, there is an additional fee paid at initiation. This is not a recurring cost. The exact amount is confirmed by the Membership Officer during the enquiry process.

Regalia. This includes the apron worn at a lodge meeting. Ask Ben what you would need to buy, what can be provided, when each item is needed and what it currently costs.

Optional extras. Lodges sometimes organise white-table events (where non-Mason guests are welcome), trips, or formal dinners marking lodge anniversaries. These are individually ticketed and entirely optional.

Charitable giving beyond the basic level. Chipstead Lodge contributes to charity as a body, and individual members are invited to give if they wish. There is no minimum and no expectation.

What will my first year cost?

The first year costs more than the recurring annual figure because of the initiation fee and any regalia you need. We have not published an exact first-year total here because Ben needs to confirm the current amounts and what applies to you.

Before making a decision, ask for the annual subscription, one-off fees, regalia and any proposed optional costs together. You can ask this as your first question.

If you are concerned about affordability

Raise it privately with Ben before making a commitment. He can explain the current payment arrangements and discuss your questions. The enquiry itself does not commit you to paying or joining.

Comparing costs between lodges

Meeting frequency, venue and dining arrangements vary. When comparing lodges, ask for the full annual figure and the full first-year figure, including meals and regalia, so you are comparing the same things.