Where does Prince of Wales lodge meet?
Prince of Wales lodge meets in the beautiful West Toronto Masonic Temple, located at 151 Annette Street, Toronto.

How often does the lodge meet?
Prince of Wales lodge meets twice monthly, typically on the first Thursday and last Friday of each month, excluding July and August when we go on summer break.

What is the difference between a "lodge" and a "temple"?
A “temple” is simply the physical space used for meetings. A “lodge” is the group of Masons formed and constituted to operate within that temple. In short, we belong to a lodge, but meet at a temple.

Are all lodges the same?
All lodges with the A.F. & A.M. accreditation follow the laws and constitution of the Grand Lodge of Ontario – Province of Canada. These lodges follow identical (or very similar) by-laws and practices of Freemasonry.

What does A.F. & A.M. mean?
A.F. & A.M. means “Ancient Free & Accepted Masons”. This gets a little complicated, but in short, there have been different Masonic movements throughout history. “Ancient Free & Accepted Masons” are the largest Masonic group in the world, and the A.F. & A.M. distinction is an indication that the lodge with this accreditation follows the founding principles and guidance of Masonry. All lodges housed within the Toronto West Masonic Temple are A.F. & A.M, including Prince of Wales.

Is Masonry a religion?
Definitely not! Masonry does not present itself nor act as religion. Rather, it is a system of morality designed to improve men’s lives and relationships through the study of ancient lessons.

Do I need to follow a specific faith to become a Freemason?
No! We have members who are Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and more. Masonry is compatible with all religions…the only requirement is that you believe in a Supreme Being, whichever it may be.

Will someone ask me more about my religion?
The only question that will be asked is if the candidate believes in a Supreme Being, presented as a “yes or no” question. You will never be asked to explain or defend your faith, or given any “test”.

Are politics or religion discussed in the lodge?
No, never. The goal of Masonry is to bring men together in fraternity, and religion and politics tend to be divisive topics. As such, these are not discussed in the lodge.

What kind of man should (or shouldn't) become a Freemason?
This is a much different question than if a man can become a Freemason. It’s more than just the ability to meet the criteria for entrance. Becoming a Mason is an indication that you are the kind of man who values history, fraternity, loyalty, and is willing to make an effort to improve himself and his community. In your heart you probably already know if you are this kind of man, and the answer may have led you here and Masonry may be for you.

What are the requirements for becoming as Freemason?
There are four main considerations that must be met: you must be age 21 or older, a man, possess the belief of a Supreme Being, and be of good standing with your community and peers.

Do I need to have had a relative who was a Mason?
No. There are four main considerations that must be met: you must be age 21 or older, a man, possess the belief of a Supreme Being, and be of good standing with your community and peers. To be a mason you need to ask a mason. Masons adhere to a non-solicitation rule, even in families! So if your waiting to be asked by a relative, in-law, friend or colleague you are in for a long wait! You'll need to let them know (and don't be subtle) that you are interested in finding out more. 

Are Women allowed to join the lodge?
Our lodge is fraternal, as are all lodges with the A.F. & A.M. designation, although women are eligible to join the female equivalent known as the Order of the Eastern Star. There are other Masonic organizations that operate Sorority and Co-Masonic lodges, but they are “unrecognized” by A.F. & A.M. lodges.

How do I join Prince of Wales lodge?
To be a mason you just need to ask a mason. Potential candidates may either speak directly with a known member of the lodge, or may contact us through this website. Please click here to contact us. Please not that this is NOT an application, but is a request to be contacted by a lodge member to begin the application process.

How long will it take to hear from the Prince Of Wales lodge?
While the actual application process will vary in time, if you have not received an acknowledgement from an email sent to this website within a week, please accept our apologies and re-email us, technology and people are not always perfect! 

What can an applicant expect when joining Prince of Wales lodge?
All Masons go through the same process when joining a lodge; in fact, the application process has remained fairly unchanged for hundreds of years! For more details please click here for a further explanation.

What will I need to wear at my interview?
Please dress casually. We will be in your home, so act as you normally would. Don’t be put off if the interview committee is wearing more formal attire; this is just a sign of respect when visiting.

Can my family join me for my interview?
If you have family, especially a partner, we strongly encourage them to be present for the interview. Masonry always comes second to family responsibilities, and it is important that loved ones have the chance to ask questions or voice any concerns.

What type of time commitment would I expect to give?
Prince of Wales lodge meets twice monthly for an evening. Additional events may include fundraising efforts such as silent auctions or blood drives. These are not mandatory events, but you’ll want to join in for the fun!

What is the dress code in the lodge?
For most occasions the dress code is jacket and tie (or business suit). We do not wear casual attire (jeans or khakis) for lodge meetings, although some events do allow for less-formal wear. For most events, you’ll know in advance of the dress code.

What are the fees?
The fees are likely to be significantly less than you may have been led to believe from other sources on the internet. There is a one-time membership fee and a requirement of annual dues. This is a standard arrangement found in all lodges. Your interview committee or the lodge secretary can provide more specifics during the application process.

Do lodge members do anything together outside of lodge meetings?
As brothers, we enjoy spending time with each other for matters both Masonic and non-Masonic. Many of our members get together on a regular basis for dinners or coffee. Don’t be shy about suggesting a get-together outside of the lodge…you’ll probably find plenty of takers!

What charity work does the lodge partake in?
Prince of Wales lodge supports a specifically chosen charity for the duration of the Worshipful Master’s term. In many cases, this is to support the local Toronto West Masonic district charity.  

I am really keen to get started. What can I do? 
If you know of any Masons in your family or circle of friends, ask them about the fraternity and what it means to them. Chances are they will be more than happy to describe the benefits and rewards of membership. It is also a good idea to visit the website of the Grand Lodge of Ontario (see links), where there is a great deal of information for candidates, including audio and video components.

Finally, take a look through the rest of our website to see if you have any questions that can be answered right away. You may want to avoid reading about Masonic initiations, secrets and other similar information posted on the internet. This information is very often inaccurate and 'spoilers' may take something away from the experience of your initiation.