The lodge room at Shasta, photographed in black and white

Free and Accepted Masons

Western Star Lodge No. 2

The oldest chartered lodge in California. We have met in the same hall in Shasta since 1854.

Main Street in Shasta as it was, in black and white, with the brick storefronts along it

Chartered 10 May 1848

California’s first lodge

Chartered by the Grand Lodge of Missouri, and the first lodge to meet and organize in this State.

Our History

The square and compasses mounted on the front of the lodge hall, the flag flying beside it

What is Masonry?

Our mission and our lodge

Masonry is the world’s first and largest fraternal organization, guided by the belief that each man has a responsibility to make the world a better place.
For 300 years, Freemasonry has strengthened the character of individual men through fellowship, charity, and the search for truth.
Western Star Lodge No. 2 is the oldest chartered lodge in California, meeting in the same hall in Shasta since 1854.

Read our history

The rewards of being a Freemason

Why men join, and why they stay

Making true friends

Masonry is a community of men and their families who share similar beliefs and values — friends and brothers, connected through this uplifting organization of moral men.

Improving ourselves

Our continuing pursuit of truth, knowledge, ethics and leadership makes us better men, and builds self-discipline through commitment.

Having an impact

We are part of a worldwide organization that values tradition, history and timeless wisdom — in our community, through our charities, and personally.

Interested in Masonry

A Brother of the lodge holding a cake marking his first degree

Learn how to join

Men age 18 and older who believe in a Supreme Being and meet the qualifications and standards for membership are eligible to petition. We welcome men of every country, religion, race, age, income, education, and opinion.
The process for becoming a Mason is managed at the Lodge level. The first step towards joining is to contact a Lodge that you would like to have consider you for membership.
Beginning the process.

Start process

Making Good Men Better

The calendar

Upcoming events

Join us at an upcoming event. Meet the brothers. See our vault of Masonic artifacts dating back to the 1800s. Bring a friend or your family. Come have a good time.

Nothing is in the calendar at present.

From the lodge

News