Tampa Lodge No. 240

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FREEMASONRY: Making Good Men Better, Since Time Immemorial

Three Reasons Masons "Live Better"

Personal Growth

Your Masonic membership entitles you to participate in our Leadership Development program. This program teaches the principles of leadership, integrity, and how to develop your own best self. You'll discover that it takes more than giving money to develop personal growth. It happens when we give of ourselves. Whether volunteering in schools, churches, or participating in the dozens of other Masonic opportunities, you will find men just like you, committed to making a difference in their community, living a life with integrity and honor.

Strength in Brotherhood

As a group, Florida Masons are focused on the pursuit of excellence and helping others to live better in whatever way is relevant to your life. From becoming a better father, to building a successful career, to making a difference in the world, being a Florida Mason is a great way to interact with men from all walks of life while achieving your personal goals.

There's a reason that Masons refer to each other as "Brothers." It's because we mean it. We are taught to rejoice in one another successes and support and defend one another during the times of our lives when we need that support.

Community Service

Just about every Masonic Lodge is involved in the community in some way. You might find a Lodge building with a wheelchair ramp for the widow of a member, or for someone in the community that simply needs one. The Masons have been tremendous volunteers in the local and statewide charities. There are also other initiatives that offer opportunities for service through dozens of ongoing community service programs.

To learn more about becoming a member - Click Here.

Lodge Address:

Tampa Lodge No. 240, F&AM
11807 N. 56th Street (Map)
Temple Terrace, FL 33617
Phone: (813) 401-6231

Mailing Address:

Tampa Lodge No. 240, F&AM
P.O. Box 82320
Tampa, FL 33682

Lodge Secretary:

Bro. Roy Chattlelle
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Stated Meeting Nights:

Second and Fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM
The lodge dines at 6:30 PM, before every meeting, family is always invited to attend.

The Officers of Tampa Lodge No. 240 would like to thank you for visiting our website. Please feel free to make time to join us at one of our Stated Meetings or Special Events this year.

Worshipful Master - Chris Adams

Senior Warden - W.: Robert Back

Junior Warden - Matthew Livernois

Treasurer - W.: Robert Pearce

Secretary - Roy Chattelle

Chaplain - George Nelson
Marshal - W.: Scott Mead

Senior Deacon - Mike Vaughn

Junior Deacon - Bruce O'Neal Pegan-Vega

Senior Steward - Tarrin Folce

Junior Steward - Jeron Young
Tyler - W.: John Eaton

Lodge Instructor - W.: Scott Mead

Past Masters of Tampa Lodge No. 240

1916 Ben Emmerson *
1917 Ben Emmerson *
1919 H. D. Dolphin *
1920 H. D. Dolphin *
1921 J.A. Gregory *
1922 William F. Tisrall *
1923 A.P. Weise *
1924 A.P. Weise *
1925 H.F. Brown *
1926 H.F. Brown *
1927 C.W. Stumph *
1928 Frank Williams *
1929 J.W. Lester, Jr. *
1930 R.S. Adams *
1931 Harry Anderson *
1932 J.A. Mayo *
1933 A.S. McCurdie *
1934 A.L. Peacock *
1935 D.W. Cato *
1936 D.W. Cato *
1937 C.A. Fox *
1938 George P. Bradford *
1939 R.H. Dasher *
1940 R.P. Woodard *
1941 R.P. Woodard *
1942 L.W. Hargrove *
1943 B.B. Simpson *
1944 Clyde Shifflet *
1945 Jeff Lovett *
1946 Leroy Donavant *
1947 John E. Harding *
1948 Alton Pullian *
1949 B.R. Kelly *
1950 N. Corbin *
1951 C.E. Veach *
1952 E.E. Ward *
1953 J.J. Costa *
1954 Joe Bustelo *
1955 Henry Davis *
1956 L.M. Klepper *
1957 C.L. Lillard *
1958 Sam P. Scaglione *
1959 Ralph Gable *
1960 T. Fred Link *

1961 O.L. Parish *
1962 Dave Watson *
1963 L.E. Lowry *
1934 Alonso Garcia *
1965 Ira E. Crandon *
1966 Jack Cutchens *
1967 Jimmy M. Gardner *
1968 Jimmy M. Gardner *
1969 N.J. Taylor *
1970 Claude Coleman *
1971 Claude Coleman *
1972 Ralph Gable *
1973 R.W. Hugh Jeter
1974 Edward Butler *
1975 B.L. Drawdy
1976 R.W. Oran B. Ellis, Jr.
1977 James E. Ham *
1978 Raymond L. Wright
1979 Howard Yeager *
1980 David Dean *
1981 Raymond Ham
1982 Bobby Floyd *
1983 Dan Williams *
1984 Bruce Guimares
1985 Guy Strickland *
1986 Herbert Moore *
1987 Jack Williams *
1988 Chester Frost *
1989 Eugene Merritt
1990 Woodrow Harmon *
1991 Raymond Jeter
1992 Bennett Murray *
1993 Guy Strickland *
1994 R.W. Hugh Jeter
1995 Harry Todd
1996 David Buchanan *
1997 Jimmy B. Simpson *
1998 Willy Carreras
1999 Ronnie Barrow
2000 Patrick Devoid
2001 Wilson Newell *
2002 Ronnie Barrow
2003 Robert Alderson *
2004 Robert Alderson *

2005 Don Debolt
2006 Ronnie Barrow
2007 Larry Lee
2008 Al Lopresto *
2009 Joe Rose
2010 Nelson Lopresto
2011 Robert Kershner
2012 Robert "Buck" Bowen
2013 William "Bill" Wilson
2014 Roger Turgeon
2015 Patrick Devoid
2016 Al Lopresto *
2017 Phillip Flattley
2018 William Griffith
2019 Robert Pearce
2020 R.:W.: Charles Dyer
2021 Robert Back
2022 Justin Cary
2023 Scott Mead
2024 John Eaton

(* Deceased Brother)

Affiliated Past Masters

Morris Beardsley *
Albert Bidwell *
Michael Cary *
Roy M. Hardy
Aubrey Houston *
Gary Lepak
Clyder Shepard *
Edward Vinson
Edward Warren *

Masons (also known as Freemasons) belong to the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world. Today, there are more than two million Freemasons in North America alone. Masons represent virtually every occupation and profession, yet within the Fraternity, all meet as equals. Masons come from diverse political ideologies, yet meet as friends. Masons come from varied religious beliefs and creeds, yet all believe in one God.

Many of America's early patriots were Freemasons. Thirteen signers of the Constitution and fourteen Presidents of the United States, including George Washington and Franklin Roosevelt.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Freemasonry is how so many men, from so many different walks of life, can meet together in peace, always conducting their affairs in harmony and friendship and calling each other "Brother."

What is Freemasonry?

Freemasonry (or Masonry) is dedicated to the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God. It uses the tools and implements of ancient architectural craftsmen symbolically in a system of instruction designed to build character and moral values in its members. Its singular purpose is to make good men better. Its bonds of friendship, compassion, and brotherly love have survived even the most divisive political, military, and religious conflicts through the centuries. Freemasonry is a fraternity which encourages its members to practice the faith of their personal acceptance. Masonry teaches that each person, through self-improvement and helping others, has an obligation to make a difference for good in the world.

Where Did Freemasonry Begin?

No one knows just how old Freemasonry is because the actual origins have been lost in time. Some scholars believe Masonry arose from the guilds of stonemasons who built the majestic castles and cathedrals of the middle ages. While others speculate its heritage is derived from the "Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem", otherwise known as the Knights Templar. In 1717, Masonry created a formal organization when four Lodges in London joined in forming England's first Grand Lodge. By 1731, when Benjamin Franklin joined the Fraternity, there were already several Lodges in the Colonies.

Today, Masonic Lodges are found in almost every community throughout North America, and in large cities there are usually several Lodges. A Mason can travel to almost any country in the world and find a Masonic Lodge where he will be welcomed as a "Brother."

What Do Freemasons Do?

The Masonic experience encourages members to become better men, better husbands, better fathers, and better citizens. The fraternal bonds formed in the Lodge help build lifelong friendships among men with similar goals and values.

Beyond its focus on individual development and growth, Masonry is deeply involved in helping people. The Freemasons of North America contribute over two million dollars a day to charitable causes. This philanthropy represents an unparalleled example of the humanitarian commitment of this great and honorable Fraternity. Much of that assistance goes to people who are not Masons. Some of these charities are vast projects. The Shrine Masons (Shriners) operate the largest network of hospitals for burned and orthopedically impaired children in the country, and there is never a fee for treatment. The Scottish Rite Masons maintain a nationwide network of over 150 Childhood Language Disorder Clinics, Centers, and Programs.

Many other Masonic organizations sponsor a variety of philanthropies, including scholarship programs for children, and perform public service activities in their communities. Masons also enjoy the fellowship of each other and their families in social and recreational activities.

Several Masonic Principles Are:

Faith must be the center of our lives
All men and women are the children of God
No one has the right to tell another person what he or she must think or believe
Each person has a responsibility to be a good citizen, obeying the law
It is important to work to make the world a better place for all
Honor and integrity are keys to a meaningful life

What Is The Masonic Lodge?

The word "Lodge" means both a group of Masons meeting together as well as the room or building in which they meet. Masonic buildings are sometimes called "temples" because the original meaning of the term was a "place of knowledge" and Masonry encourages the advancement of knowledge.

Masonic Lodges usually meet once or twice a month to conduct regular business, vote upon petitions for membership, and bring new Masons into the Fraternity through three ceremonies called degrees. In the Lodge room Masons share in a variety of programs. Here the bonds of friendship and fellowship are formed and strengthened.

Men of Character and Integrity Join The Masons

Most are men who go about their jobs and professions with no hint they are Freemasons except for the way they lead their lives. Many are readily recognizable by name, face, or accomplishment. George Washington and thirteen other Presidents, eight Vice Presidents and forty-two Justices of the Supreme Court have been Masons.

So Who Are The Masons?

Masons are men of good character who strive to improve themselves and make the world a better place. They belong to the oldest and most honorable fraternity known to man. If you think you may be interested in becoming a member, you can begin by contacting a Lodge in your area or speaking to a Mason.

Who Can Qualify To Join?

Applicants must be men of good character who believe in a Supreme Being. To become a Mason one must petition a particular Lodge. The Master of the Lodge appoints a committee to visit the applicant prior to the Lodge balloting upon his petition.

For more information about how to join. Click Here