Friendship Lodge: A Legacy of Unselfish Friendship and Moral Values Since 1811 in Alabama
By Sheila Duncan
Reporter
Jarrod Sanders has been a lifelong resident of Centreville and has always enjoyed living here. Jarrod has been a member of the Freemasons since 2018, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Brantley Burt, who was a Mason in Centreville, and his great-grandfather on his father’s side, who was a member in West Blocton. Jarrod’s grandfather often spoke with him about the Masons, and after his passing, Jarrod decided to join. He has loved being part of the group, describing it as a great opportunity that has helped him grow both as a man and in his faith. The Lodge, which has about 40 members, is located across from the courthouse and has been there since the early 1900s. They have a diverse group of people, including politicians, lawyers, truck drivers, and manufacturing workers. The community has deep roots; for example, Mayor Mike Oakley’s great-grandfather was a member of Friendship Lodge many years ago.
There are often misconceptions about what Freemasonry truly represents. It has been called many things, but today, Jarrod shared some insight into what they are really about. Freemasonry promotes the principles of unselfish friendship and upholds moral values that align with their faith. As the oldest fraternity in the world, Freemasonry has been in Alabama since around 1811, predating statehood by about eight years. The Grand Lodge of Alabama was chartered in 1821, and the Friendship Lodge in Centreville was established in 1847.
Freemasonry teaches that a man’s first duty is to honor and obey God. They believe in seeking God’s guidance in all aspects of life through prayer and the study of the Holy Bible. Freemasons hold that God created the heavens, the earth, and all living things, and that the Bible provides answers to everything one faces in life. They believe that by taking the time to read and study the Bible, and by focusing on God, they can find guidance and direction in all they do. This is the foundation of Masonic belief.
Freemasons are not a hate group or a white supremacist organization, and they never will be. These misconceptions often come from people who don’t understand what Freemasonry is about. It’s important not to judge others if you don’t know who they are or what they stand for, especially when it contradicts what they actually do.
Charity is at the heart of Freemasonry. Freemasons across the country donate about a million dollars a day in scholarship funds and to various charitable causes. In Alabama alone, they contribute $200,000 annually to scholarships and other charitable organizations. While they do a lot of good work in the community, they don’t advertise it, as they believe in doing good for its own sake.
Freemasons do not actively recruit members, but they encourage good men in the community who want to grow and live by Godly principles to visit the lodge. There, they can get information and ask any questions they may have.
