Masons of California
We are a statewide fraternity united by shared values, meaningful friendships, and a commitment to personal growth and service. With more than 32,000 members across 340 lodges, California Freemasons continue a 300-year tradition of character-building, connection, and community impact.
Entities of Masons of California
Since 1850, California Masonry has been governed and organized through the Grand Lodge of California, which in turn has established separate entities to further its goals and fulfill its mission. The Grand Lodge itself is made up of members of local lodges and professional staff.
Today, the Grand Lodge and its five entities are collectively referred to as the Masons of California. Upon their formation, the Grand Lodge assigned each new entity with a unique mission.
of California
Foundation
Community
Memorial Temple
Center
The Masonic Homes of California
California Freemasonry has long supported members and their families in need. In 1898, the Grand Lodge opened a residential community for orphans and elderly Masons and their spouses or widows, later managed by the Masonic Homes of California in 1919. Today, the organization operates retirement campuses in Union City and Covina, offers social services through Masonic Outreach Services, and provides youth mental health care through the Masonic Center for Youth and Families.
California Masonic Foundation
The California Masonic Foundation was established in 1969 to support the Grand Lodge’s charitable mission. It raises funds for the Masonic Homes of California and public education initiatives. Its programs focus on youth and education, including literacy programs in public schools and college scholarships. The foundation partners with four California Major League Baseball team charities, the literacy nonprofit Raising A Reader, and college success organizations. As of October 31, 2022, it held a $38 million endowment.
Acacia Creek Retirement Community
The Acacia Creek Retirement Community opened in 2010 as a new independent- and assisted-living community on the Masonic Homes’ Union City campus to serve both Masons and the general public. Acacia Creek is comprised of 150 apartments and four cottage homes, and provides its residents with exceptional services and levels of care based on Masonic values and successful-aging principles.
The California Masonic Memorial Temple
CMMT is the headquarters of Freemasonry in California and the nonprofit that owns its Nob Hill home at 1111 California Street. Opened in 1958, this midcentury landmark designed by architect Albert Roller features an exterior frieze and a 48-by-38-foot “endomosaic” mural by artist Emile Norman.
It houses a 3,000-seat auditorium, the Henry Wilson Coil Museum and Library of Freemasonry, Freemasons’ Hall, the Grand Lodge offices, and a five-level parking garage.
Nob Hill Masonic Center
The Nob Hill Masonic Center leases the five-story parking garage at 1111 California Street. It also leases the two-story parking garage at Grace Cathedral, located across the street at 1051 Taylor Street. The NHMC operates these two garages indirectly through a parking management agreement with SP Plus, a national parking garage operator.
Media resources
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