200 Years Young

In 2022 Saint Matthew’s Lodge celebrated its 200th Anniversary.

The lodge holds its charter, dated December 11, 1822, from the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts.

seeking our best

Freemasonry is a worldwide brotherhood of men who are dedicated to improving themselves and helping others. St. Matthew’s Lodge is made up of men from all walks of life, of different religions, races, occupations, and points of view.

Our organizing principles are Friendship, Morality, and Brotherly Love. In its deepest sense, Freemasonry is a philosophy whose core values include personal integrity, tolerance, justice, love of country, and service to humanity. A belief in God is a prerequisite to membership.

Masons are men who aspire to be better husbands, fathers, employers, co-workers, and citizens and who want to associate in a social way with men who stand by these principles.

Where and when we meet

In 1965 Saint Matthew’s Lodge moved from rented quarters in the Andover National Bank building (now Bank of America) on Main Street to a new home at 7 High Street, just off Elm Square in the center of town. The Temple, as we call it, contains our lodge room, a library, office, social room, and kitchen. Plenty of free parking is available in the lot next door after 6:00 P.M. and on weekends. Our facility may be rented by groups or private parties. Please visit our Contact Us page for more info. We meet on the second Monday of the month except for July and August. Visiting Masons are encouraged to call 978-409-2140 for meeting details.

The home of St. Matthew’s Lodge, 7 High St., Andover, Mass.

Early Meeting Places

Widow Mary Parker’s tavern in the North Parish of Andover, now North Andover, was the first meeting place of the Lodge. January 22, 1823 was the date of the first recorded meeting.

In 1826 St. Matthew's Masonic Association, an organization made up of members of the Lodge, erected the Union Building on Main Street in the South Parish, now Andover. The Association eventually sold the building, and from 1843 the Lodge met in othe… — In 1826 St. Matthew's Masonic Association, an organization made up of members of the Lodge, erected the Union Building on Main Street in the South Parish, now Andover. The Association eventually sold the building, and from 1843 the Lodge met in other locations around town. The brick Federal style building was razed in April 1889 to make room for the building shown below. *Andover Historical Society Collection*

Here is a circa 1900 postcard view of the Andover National Bank building, 19-23 Main St., Andover, across from the Old Town Hall. This building opened for business in spring of 1890. The tenants at that time included the Andover Savings Bank and the… — Here is a circa 1900 postcard view of the Andover National Bank building, 19-23 Main St., Andover, across from the Old Town Hall. This building opened for business in spring of 1890. The tenants at that time included the Andover Savings Bank and the Andover National Bank on the first floor,the Merrimack Mutual Fire Insurance Company, a lawyer, and a dentist on the second floor, and St. Matthew's Lodge on the third. The lodge first met here on April 28, 1890 and remained at this location until we moved to our present location in 1965. Click here for more historical information about the Lodge

chaRitable activities

Caring for our brothers

Brotherhood is friendship “kicked up a notch.” Being Masons means we look out for each other. We help each other. We stay in touch with our older members and the widows of deceased members. We sponsor the Overlook Retirement Community in Charlton and a number of regional health services for members who need residential and healthcare assistance.

Being part of the Andover community

We have been part of the fabric of the Town of Andover for two hundred years.

Angel Fund. We work with nurses in the Andover Public Schools to provide children with clothing, eyeglasses, and other needed items.

We support the American Red Cross Blood Program. We host blood drives regularly and provide volunteers to support the Red Cross staffers.

Hospital equipment. We have access to a large inventory of hospital equipment that anyone can borrow.

Community assistance. We provide volunteers to such organizations as Habitat for Humanity, the Andover Food Pantry, Ironstone Farm, and Andover High School Senior Safari.

Community participation. We participate annually in the Andover Days community celebration and the Memorial Day parade.

National Outreach

Freemasons fund and operate Children’s Dyslexia Centers and the Shriners Hospitals for Children across the USA and in Canada.