15OTH ANNIVERSARY GALLERY
OUR LODGE
Excelsior Lodge was founded in 1867 as the 261st Masonic Lodge to be chartered in North Carolina. It was founded in Charlotte, NC by Charlotte businessman and alderman Samuel Wittkowsky and former N.C. Governor, U.S. Senator, and Confederate General Zebulon B. Vance.
After The Civil War, Vance was imprisoned for having served as governor of N.C. during the war. Following his release, on the encouragement of fellow Mason Wittkowsky, Vance began his new life as a civilian in Charlotte, where he set up a law practice. In Charlotte, Phalanx Lodge #31 was thriving – it was soon thriving even moreso with the addition of N.C.’s most famous politician (now civilian) attending lodge meetings.
Eventually, Vance and Wittkowsky chartered a second lodge in Charlotte, with the blessing and assistance of Phalanx 31: Excelsior. Meaning higher, always upward, Vance had no doubt drawn on his younger days as a Latin student, as well as the common use of Latin in law, to name this new lodge
WHY FREEMASONRY?
Freemasonry teaches lessons of practical morality using symbolism derived from the “builder’s art” or operative stonemasonry, including working tools such as the plumb, square, and level, and basing much of its teaching on the story of the building of the Temple of Solomon, as recounted in the Hebrew Scriptures. By practical morality is meant knowing what to do in life, rather than being concerned with mere idle speculation about what one should do.
Freemasonry is the world’s oldest and largest fraternal organization. Its members may be found in every free country in the world. There are over two million Freemasons in the United States alone.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP
LATEST ARTICLES
FRIENDSHIP . MORALITY . BROTHERLY LOVE
Welcome to our newest Master Mason!
Patrick Tobin (L), 2023 Master, congratulates Sam Madden (R), Excelsior's newest Master Mason.
Fellowcraft Degree
We had an outstanding Fellowcraft Degree conferral on March 28th! Three Brothers were passed to
The Middle Chamber Program
Info on The Middle Chamber program, starting January 15, 2022
Funeral Notice
Bill Sewing, longtime fixture and former Tyler at Excelsior 261, a sixty-nine year Master Mason and 32° Scottish Rite
Mail Delivery to the Lodge
For some reason some mail is being delivered to the lodge while some is being
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It is our hope on this site to provide answers to any questions you may have about Freemasonry – the world’s oldest fraternity.
Throughout the ages, men of great character have practiced the ancient arts in our brotherhood, including many great historical figures. Our honored fraternity has been a guiding spirit behind many of the great movements and achievements in both modern and ancient history. The lessons we teach today are the lessons taught 3000 years ago – timeless truths about what constitutes a good man and a good society.
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