Welcome to the Internet Home of
Braden Lodge #168
Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Minnesota
5149 Bloomington Ave S
Minneapolis MN 55417
5149 Bloomington Ave S
Minneapolis MN 55417
Welcome to
Braden Lodge No. 168
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons
Making Good Men Better
What do Masons do? That is the question whose answer we hope you have come here seeking. Like the trade guilds of the medieval days, Freemasonry is a gathering of men who work towards creating something. But while other guilds work towards refining wood, metal, or stone, we refine ourselves into better men. When you go through the initiations, you are not given the keys to a building, you are given the blueprints to build your own. We each must build our lives, one brick at a time and Freemasonry allows you to do it within the context of a group of like-minded men with the benefit of ancient knowledge passed down through the ages. We have discussions and educational pieces. We have ceremonies to remind us of our ideals and never forget to seek the guidance of deity. But perhaps more than anything, we form a brotherhood to support, encourage, and learn from one another.
Unless otherwise indicated, ALL events are held at:
Minnehaha Lodge #165
5149 Bloomington Ave S
Minneapolis MN 55417
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OPEN HOUSE
FELLOWSHIP NIGHT
Thurs • Jul 11th
7:30pm - Dinner
8pm - Program
Join us for a dinner followed by a Masonic Q & A and tour of the lodge
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Thurs • July 18th
7:30pm • Stated Meeting
Coffee & Snacks Following
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FELLOWSHIP NIGHT
& Socrates' Café
Thurs • Jul 25th
7:30pm - Dinner Served
8:00pm - Socrates' Café
Tonight's Topic: What does it mean to be a "good" man?
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ICE CREAM SOCIAL
No stated meeting
Thurs • Aug 1st
7:30pm - Dinner Served
A casual evening with a dinner and ice cream to follow
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TALENT SHOW
Thurs • Aug 8th
7:30pm - Dinner Served
We'll have a dinner and then invite our members and guests to show off any talents they have.
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STATED COMMUNICATION
Thurs • August 15th
7:30pm • Stated Meeting
Coffee & Snacks Following
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See "Calendar" page
in the menu above
for a complete calendar
of up-coming activities.
♦ LIGHT: Masonry is all about improving: ourselves, our community (Lodge), and, by extension, the world around us. To this end, Masonry provides us with Tools. One of this year’s goals is the proper use of these Tools.
♦ LOVE: Masonry provides us with a community: our Lodge. One of this year’s goals is to improve our Lodge. Moving to a more conducive environment was a good start. Let us continue to strive to build harmony and ritual excellence.
♦ LIFE: As part of the larger Masonic community sharing with our Brothers and the world at large, Braden builds Masonry with Fellowship: table lodges and meals, murder mysteries, puzzles, Socrates Café, an artists salon, “killer” ritual, and thoughtful discussions into the wee hours.
This Year... Let us look at the drawings on the Trestle Board, choose our Tools, Labor as a Team, and do the necessary improvements in Ourselves, our Lodge — and perhaps Masonry itself. — WB Jay Koelsch ♦ Worshipful Master ♦ 2023
Does that describe you? Then we suggest you come visit us on one of our open events dates (colored in gold on the right). Get a feel for who we are and what we do. Perhaps even visit a few lodges, as each has a different personality. If you like what you see, and think Braden Lodge will be a good fit for you, then fill out a petition -- your first step on your journey towards Masonic enlightenment!
People often think one has to be invited to become a Mason. However that is not the case. While a friend may suggest the benefits of membership, we only accept members who join entirely of their own free will. We do have a few requirements: one must be a male over the age of 18, believe in deity, be of good repute -- and share a genuine interest in improving yourself.