Welcome to the home of English Freemasonry in Uruguay
One of the oldest secular social and charitable organisations in the world, modern Freemasonry’s roots lie in the traditions of the medieval stonemasons who built our castles and cathedrals.
For Freemasons, there are four important values that help define their path through life: Integrity, Friendship, Respect and Service. In today’s world filled with uncertainty, these principles ring as true now as they have at any point in the organisation’s history.
Membership is open to men over 18 from all backgrounds and the organisation’s aim is to empower members to be the best they can be – it’s about building character, supporting members as individuals and helping them make a positive contribution to society.
Freemasonry provides a structure for members to come together under these common goals, enabling people to make new friendships, develop themselves and make valuable contributions to charitable causes.
From: https://www.ugle.org.uk/
Silver River Lodge N° 876
Centenary Lodge
In the register of the United Grand Lodge of Antient, Free and Accepted Masons of England – District of South America – Southern Division
This is the only masonic lodge belonging to the United Grand Lodge of England in Uruguay.
Incorporating by amalgamation with Acacia Lodge N° 876.
With over 160 years of tradition, and more than 45 active members, Silver River Lodge has been and is instrumental in helping men to become better citizens.
Our Values
Our core values are the underlying principles behind who we are, what we stand for, and what we do. They are vital to understanding Freemasonry.
INTEGRITY
Honesty, trustworthiness, honour, reliability, and conscientiousness form the foundation of a virtuous character. They foster trust, maintain integrity, and demonstrate commitment, ultimately leading to a life of strong principles and dependable actions.
FRIENDSHIP
Freemasonry gives members many opportunities to make a wide circle of friends for life who share common interests and values. It provides a bond of friendship and a sense of belonging. This promotes a feeling of enjoyment and fulfilment.
RESPECT
From its earliest days, Freemasonry has respected the beliefs of its members. It promotes an environment where diversity is valued. It is a space where different beliefs and backgrounds converge, fostering an atmosphere of inclusivity, tolerance and harmony.
SERVICE
Whether participating in events, fundraising for a charitable cause or volunteering for public or community organisations, service is at the very heart of Freemasonry. Our members make valuable contributions by donating time, resources and skills.
From: https://www.ugle.org.uk/
What is Freemasonry about?
A School
Morals/Esoteric
Freemasonry can be considered a school of men, who by their conjoined efforts learn from each other to become better men . The principal objective being to “know thyself”, through the attainment of knowledge derived from an understanding of the philosophical meaning and symbolism contained within our rituals and discussions in the lodge. Freemasonry is often described as “a journey towards light”.
A Fraternal Society
Friendship/Brotherly Love
We have a lot of fun in our meetings! Enjoying the fraternal bonds between us is another benefit of becoming a freemason. After every formal Lodge meeting, members enjoy a delightful dinner together, amply called a festive board.
A Philanthropic Institution
Charity
Freemasonry teaches us to give back to society and, in particular to our local communities. This can be through activities such as volunteering but also through the giving of funds to charity. So, every year the lodge picks an institution to direct our charitable efforts.
For more information about us, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions page.
What do I need to become a Freemason?
Belief in a supreme being
Constituent lodges of the United Grand Lodge of England require adult men to usually be over 18 years old and to believe in a ‘Supreme Being’. No matter which religion you practice, you can become a Freemason. It necessarily follows that you cannot be a Freemason if you are an atheist.
Good knowledge of English
An adequate knowledge of English is required to become a member of Silver River Lodge N° 876. Although we meet in Montevideo, Uruguay, all our rituals and lodge business are conducted and performed in English.
Lodge Fees
A monthly fee is charged to all our members to pay for the upkeep of our building, its facilities, and dues to the District Grand Lodge and the United Grand Lodge. The fees vary from year to year, but they are not, we hope, dissimilar to the annual costs of joining a sports club or tennis club. Freemasonry is open to all walks of life who enjoy the Craft.
An Upright Member of Society
Freemasonry emphasises the importance of high moral and ethical values. Its members are taught, through veiled allegory and symbols, the key principles of benevolence, upright behaviour, and associated qualities that we would like to see in everyone and most importantly in ourselves.
