Sir Winston Churchill Lodge, #351, of Minneapolis, chartered in 2009 along with Gen. Douglas MacArthur Lodge #352 of St. Paul, is one of Minnesota's first new evening lodges in some 25 years. 
Limited to sixty men, the Churchill lodge is an affinity lodge, organized around the themes of British Ritual and quality: By British ritual we mean specifically the popular Emulation Work that is used throughout England, the Commonwealth, and other lodges of the English Constitution. By Quality we endeavor to provide a high caliber experience at every meeting and special event.
We have chosen these areas of focus because they seem to work the best of all extant forms of 'new model' Masonry in the US. The affinity lodge model, where lodges gel around a certain theme, was popularized by the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia. For the better part of twenty years (!), D.C. has founded similar 'purpose-driven' lodges: like clockwork, one every 18 months. Other valid models do exist, including Traditional Observance. But these haven't shown nearly the same level of viability, staying power or broad adoption yet. Agree? Disagree? Have it out here.
 As a mentoring lodge, Sir Winston Churchill Lodge #351 intends to partner with other local lodges in Minnesota and outside, supporting the growth of Masonry and lodge leadership wherever we can learn from or assist each other. Most of our members are past masters, and a number have served in volunteer office in service of the Fraternity.
For more information, please read this primer and the Tell Me More page. As we develop our website, these first pages and related links will serve as a start. We intend to use these online tools to bare our dirty laundry -- really, what do we care, if non-members see the process? It isn't sausage making. We'll share our discussions as we determine our future, recording our deliberations for those who may wish to avoid our mistakes, join the conversation, and follow in some or all of what we do.
John R. Gann, Master |