Beyond the Blue Lodge
The Symbolic Lodge is the foundation of Masonry, but the Craft has grown a great house around it — orders of further degrees, philanthropies, women's bodies, and youth groups.
A Master Mason in good standing has many doors open to him for further study, fellowship, and service. The "appendant" or "concordant" bodies are independent organizations, each with its own ritual, leadership, and history, that build upon the foundation of the Blue Lodge.
What follows is a short guide. Many of these bodies are active in southern Colorado and welcome our Brethren and their families. Their links are in the resources below for those who wish to learn more.
The most visible philanthropic work of American Masonry is undoubtedly that of the Shriners. Their network of 22 specialty pediatric hospitals across North America has provided more than $10 billion in care to children since 1922 — regardless of any family's ability to pay.
Pueblo Brethren are members of Al Kaly Shrine, with the rest of southern Colorado. The fez and the parade clown are public faces of a private commitment that no child seeking care be turned away.
Two parallel systems of further Masonic study, each available to Master Masons in good standing.
4° through 32° (and the honorary 33°)
The Scottish Rite confers degrees from the 4th through the 32nd in dramatic, theatrical form — with costumes, sets, and full cast. It expands philosophically on the lessons of the Symbolic Lodge and emphasizes religious tolerance, intellectual liberty, and personal morality. The southern Colorado bodies meet as the Southern Colorado Consistory.
Royal Arch · Cryptic · Templar
The York Rite is a confederation of three bodies: the Royal Arch Chapter, which culminates in the recovery of the Master's Word; the Cryptic Council, conferring the Royal and Select Master degrees; and the Knights Templar Commandery, a Christian order of chivalric degrees. It considers itself the direct continuation of the ancient operative tradition.
Masonry has always understood itself as part of a larger family. Our wives, daughters, sisters, and the young people of our community share fully in the life of the Craft through these bodies.
For Master Masons & their female relatives
Founded in 1850 by Robert Morris and revised by Robert Macoy in 1868, the Order of the Eastern Star is the largest Masonic-affiliated organization open to women. Its symbol is a five-pointed star whose points represent five biblical heroines: Adah, Ruth, Esther, Martha, and Electa.
Master Masons · Al Kaly Shrine (CO)
Founded in 1870 in New York City and famous for its red fezzes and parades. Its philanthropic arm — Shriners Children's — operates 22 pediatric specialty hospitals across North America and has provided more than $10 billion in care since 1922, regardless of family ability to pay. Pueblo Brethren are members of Al Kaly Shrine.
Young men, ages 12–21
Founded in Kansas City in 1919 by Frank S. Land and named for the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, Jacques de Molay. DeMolay teaches civic awareness, personal responsibility, and leadership through ritual and service.
Young women, ages 10–20
Founded in Omaha in 1920 by Ethel T. Wead Mick. Open to young women related to a Master Mason, drawing its name from the Book of Job: "And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job."
Young women, ages 11–21
Founded in McAlester, Oklahoma in 1922 by W. Mark Sexson. Organized around the seven colors of the rainbow as virtues, Rainbow welcomes young women of Masonic families and friends.
Veterans & emergency relief
Founded in 1919, the MSA coordinates Masonic relief work and runs the long-standing Hospital Visitation Program, which sends Masonic volunteers into more than a hundred VA hospitals across the country.
A.F. & A.M.
The sovereign Masonic authority for the State of Colorado.
Scottish Rite
Scottish Rite Bodies serving southern Colorado.
Shriners International
The Shrine for southern Colorado — "having fun while helping kids."
Chapter, Council, Commandery
York Rite Commanderies of the State of Colorado.