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This article explores the history of Masonry in the U.S. Masonry originated from the Freemasonry of 17th Century England. The organization entered the U.S. with the establishment of the Boston Grand Lodge in Massachusetts in 1733. Political leaders Benjamin Franklin and George Washington were promoters of the movement. Freemasons embraced all departments of knowledge, and membership in the Masonic order costs at least 20 U.S. dollars in most jurisdictions in 1923.

The article discusses an incident wherein the pastor of the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church challenged three Freemasons who were members of the congregation to denounce their lodge affiliation or leave the church. Pastor Walter Bauer cited his refusal to give the Masons communion or officiate in their burial contending that Masonic teachings were opposed to the Bible. During a vote by 109 members of the Trinity Lutheran Church, majority agreed to reinstate the three Masons under a one-year probationary period.