Welcome to Palmetto Lodge No.19 A.F.M.
Make a difference in your community

Brothers, This past year was a wonderful year at Palmetto 19 and I want to thank everyone for all their hard work.  I would also like to THANK YOU for the honor and privilege of electing and entrusting me as Worshipful Master for 2024.  I plan on working hard and with the officers I have by my side, I'm sure this will be a very productive year.  I hope all of you are looking forward to it as much as I am.  It  will be a lot of hard work but it will be worth it in the long run.  I look forward to bringing new members into our fraternity.  Also, I would like to encourage all of you to reach out to a Brother that may be in danger of or has already gone NPD and encourage them to become current.  

One of the main reasons for building this website is to keep everyone informed on what is going on, not only at Palmetto 19, but also with what is going on in District 13.    

I would also like to encourage you to visit other lodges in our district and lodges across the state.    

I would love to see each of you at our Regular Communications and also at degrees in our district and in other districts.   You will enjoy a good meal, watch and support New Brothers in their journey and renew old acquaintances and possibly make new ones. 

Sincerely,

George Latta                                                                                                                  

                   2024 Lodge Officers      

Worshipful Master  - George Latta                                                     

Treasurer                 - Mitch Gilstrap, PM

Secretary                 -  RW Michael Bryant, PDDGM, PM

Senior Warden        -  Benji Word

Junior Warden        -  Shane Roberts

Senior Deacon        -  Dan Flad

Junior Deacon        -  Kyle Reece

Chaplain                  -  Chris Holtzclaw

Tiler                          -  Paul McKinnon, PM                                            

Marshall                  -  RW Johnny Bolt, PM, PDDGM                                                                   

Steward                  -   Bob Keys                   

Freemasonry is the oldest fraternal organization in the world. It is dedicated to making improvement in the character of its members. A Mason is taught to be a good citizen, to be of good character and to care for those less fortunate.         Freemasonry traces its roots to the Middle Ages. It is from associations of stone masons, who freely traveled and built the magnificent cathedrals, castles, and monasteries of Europe that the fraternity started. These groups eventually began to accept members who were not actual working masons. They were named "Accepted" Masons and Freemasonry was born.  2B1ASK1, That's your first step to Freemasonry. Just contact the Lodge by E-mail, or if you know a Mason just ask one. There are some requirements that must be met before an application for membership can be accepted. Only individuals believed to be of the finest character are favorably considered for membership. Extensive criminal records or felonies will not be considered for membership. Atheists are not accepted in the Fraternity.

General Requirements.

1. Must believe in a Supreme Being.

2. Must be a voluntary candidate for membership.

3. Must be a male 18 years of age or older.

4. Must have resided in South Carolina for 12 consecutive months.

5. Must be able to read and write English.

6. Must be recommended by two Masons.

7. Must be a first time petitioner.

Investigation and Balloting.

1. Must apply by written petition at a regularly scheduled business meeting.

2. Petition must be in petitioners handwriting.

3. Petition must be accompanied by the specified fee on the petition.

4. The Lodge will assign a committee of three to investigate into the petitioners qualifications and make a report at the next business meeting.

5. If the committee is favorable , a vote of the Lodge members present is held.

6. If the vote is unanimous, the petitioner is invited to take the first of the three degrees.  

Process.

The process of joining a Masonic Lodge consists of three degrees. The Entered Apprentice Degree, Fellow Craft Degree, and Master Mason Degree. Each of these degrees represent the three stages of life as well as the stages an operative Mason would go through in his life to learn his craft.

During the course of taking the degrees, all candidates are required to commit to certain parts of our teachings to memory. A "coach" is assigned to teach the candidate. After the candidate has demonstrated that he has memorized the required text and is approved he moves on to the next degree. As you can see to be a Master Mason there will be some effort on your part. Your Church, your Family, and your job should come first. Free Masonry should never interfere with any of these and we will work around your schedule as best we can to see that it doesn't.