Early Origins of Illinois Freemasonry

The origins of Illinois Freemasonry can be traced back to 1805 when Freemasons established the first lodge in Kaskaskia, which was then in Indiana Territory. Seven Freemasons from five Pennsylvania Lodges, a Canadian Lodge, and one New York Lodge came together to do so,  petitioning the “R.W. Grand Master of Masons in and for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Masonic jurisdictions thereunto belonging” for a charter on March 9, 1805.

They were granted a dispensation on September 24, 1805, to found what became Western Star Lodge. Western Star, which was then called “a Lodge of York Rite Masons” rather than a blue lodge, was constituted and saw its officers installed on September 13, 1806.

Brother Shadrach Bond of Temple Lodge No. 26 in Maryland became a member by affiliation of Western Star Lodge on December 27, 1806, following his son, who had already joined. This affiliation marked the beginning of Brother Bond’s long-standing relationship with Illinois Freemasonry. He served as the presiding officer of Western Star Lodge in 1815 and again in 1818, the year Illinois achieved statehood, and he became Illinois’ first governor (October 6, 1818 to December 5, 1822).