I recently visited 2 Masonic Lodges in Singapore while working in Asia.  During my time in Singapore, I spoke with a coworker that was a member of St Patrick’s Lodge in Singapore.  I asked Rae if Freemasonry was prevalent in Asia, because some Asian people are very superstitious of things they don’t know much of, and he said yes.  He told me the name of his Lodge and I Googled it.  The Masonic Hall is 130 years old and hosts 29 Lodges on the island, to include the English Constitution, the Irish, and the Scottish.  One Sunday afternoon after work I decided to catch a taxi to the Masonic Hall and simply take some pictures.  I took several pictures and noticed that the doors were open, so I stepped inside to take a peek.  I couldn’t help but notice the large formal dining room and stairs that led to the Library, so I was immediately impressed.  To the right was a door with a small window and inside I saw people, so I stepped in and was greeted by a former New Yorker who had made his residence in Singapore.  Pete introduced himself and bought me a beer and we talked for about an hour.  Pete is a Brother of Ailsa Lodge 1172 which is one of six Scottish Constitution and the only one that is not in Scotland.  The people there were having a Christening for a Brother’s grandchild and were the reason for the Lounge of the Masonic Hall to be open on Sunday afternoon.  I cannot do the Lounge justice to speak of it with its wood grained walls and pictures of past Brothers and metals.  There was even a full suit of armor bearing our Cross.  Pete gave me the dates and times of the different Lodge meetings and invited me to come and sit in Lodge with him.  This wasn’t your casual Lodge in South Alabama and when attending Lodge at the Masonic Hall at a Lodge of the Scottish Constitution, one must wear a tuxedo or a kilt.  I wasn’t comfortable with the Kilt, so I had a tuxedo tailored in Singapore to be proper and look smart while representing the United States and Alabama.  My coworker, Rae, had also invited me to sit with him in St. Patrick’s Lodge, which is the Irish Constitution.  I attended the Lodge of St Patrick 765 and afterwards had a formal dinner where toasts and speeches were made to greet the guests and allow us to say a few words.  I informed the Brethren of how Lodge in Andalusia 434 was conducted and told them how impressed and honored I was to be able to set in Lodge across the planet.  Two weeks later I was able to attend the Ailsa Lodge 1172 and I was truly impressed.  We had a lesson of the Tracing Board which was very enlightening and impressive.  After Lodge, we had dinner which was not as formal, but more like a family having dinner.  During dinner I was able to speak of America and give thanks to the Brethren for welcoming me in such a brotherly manner.  My friend Pete gave me a 12 year old bottle of Scotch whiskey with the Lodges name and that topped off the night.  I told Pete I wouldn’t open the Scotch until he came to Alabama to share it with me and I won’t.  I met alot of friendly Brethren at The Masonic Hall and now have two good friends in Rae and Pete.   

There is one thing about Freemasonry that is hard to compare any other fraternity.  It doesn’t matter where you are in the world and what nationality you are, you are always welcome with a friendly grip in a Lodge of Freemasons and I had proof after visiting the Masonic Hall in Singapore. 

 Sri Mariamman Temple
Chinatown,Singapore

The Masonic Hall

Singapore