Our Creed
Human progress is our cause, liberty of thought our supreme wish, freedom of conscience our mission, and the guarantee of equal rights to all people everywhere our ultimate goal.
About us:
The Portland Scottish Rite of Freemasonry is a local branch of the worldwide fraternal order of Freemasonry dating back to the first social clubs of Europe that evolved out of trade guilds in the early 1700’s. The tradition of Scotts (or Scottish) Masonry is the second oldest type of high degree Masonry known, even surpassing the antiquity of the Royal Arch York Rite Degree.
The early designations Scotts, Scotch, and Scottish refer to a type of masonry practice in use in the building trade, rather than referring to being a native Scotsman. The Scottish Rite is not related to the country of Scotland, or any Scottish heritage societies.
The Scottish Rite was founded in Portland, Oregon by Captain John C. Ainsworth, a steamboat captain and entrepreneur, who received the first charter or written permission to start a Sottish Rite Masonic Lodge in Oregon in 1869 from the organization’s governing body, or Supreme Council, in Washington, DC.
Our Mission
It is the mission of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, SJ, to improve its members and enhance the communities in which they live by teaching and emulating the principles of Brotherly Love, Tolerance, Charity, and Truth, while actively embracing high social, moral, and spiritual values, including fellowship, compassion, and dedication to God, family, and country.
