MEMBERSHIP AT PHILANTHROPIC 304
How to become a Freemason
in Leeds.
Join Philanthropic Lodge No. 304 in Alwoodley, Leeds LS17. Explore friendship, charitable work and lodge traditions, with an annual subscription currently £150.
Talk to our membership team ↗IS IT RIGHT FOR YOU?
Curiosity is a
good place to start.
Whether you’re new to Freemasonry or already a Freemason looking to join a Leeds lodge, we’d welcome a conversation.
You can also ask about attending one of our social functions as a guest.
Your first enquiry is a chance to ask questions. It does not commit you to joining. Tell us what interests you and what you would like to understand before taking the next step.
Before you enquire
- You must be male. (there are other masonic orders that admit women)
- You must be over 18.
- You should be of good character and share the lodge’s values.
- You must have a belief in a Supreme Being — whatever that means to you. All are welcomed in Freemasonry.
- There is an annual membership fee. We’ll explain costs before you decide.
- Have no criminal convictions. New members of the lodge should be worthy of our trust & friendship and should treat all people with integrity, humility and respect. Minor spent offences must be disclosed.
- You seek membership because you agree with its principles & desire to become a better member of society
- You agree that you will act and abide by the traditions & principles of Freemasonry.
- You will not disclose anything to a non-member that you have been asked not to.
Our team will discuss your availability and affordability, and help you find a lodge that suits you.
What are the benefits of becoming a Mason?
Freemasonry offers friendship, a sense of belonging and opportunities to contribute to your community. At Philanthropic 304, you can meet people from different walks of life, enjoy lodge meetings and social gatherings, and work together to support good causes.
It also offers space to reflect on values such as honesty, fairness and kindness, develop confidence and take on responsibilities within the lodge. Our membership team can explain what lodge life involves and help you decide whether it is right for you.
As a Freemason you are accepted into a community that prides itself on “honour & virtue above the external advantages of rank & fortune” and so other Freemasons will see you as being friendly and trustworthy. As you may wish to attend meetings & gatherings where you are not known, there are ways of proving that you are a Freemason. When you become a member you are asked to declare that you voluntarily seek membership for honest reasons.
THE JOINING PROCESS
How to join Freemasonry in Leeds
Start a conversation
Send an enquiry. Our membership team will get in touch to learn a little about you and answer your questions.
Meet us informally
Talk through lodge life, meeting dates and costs. We want you to feel comfortable that our lodge is right for you.
Take the next step
If you decide to proceed, we’ll explain the application and approval process and guide you through it.
YOUR QUESTIONS
Let’s make
things clearer.
How do I become a Freemason in Yorkshire?
Start by contacting a lodge near where you live, work or study. If North Leeds suits you, send our membership team an enquiry. We will arrange an informal conversation, explain our requirements, meetings and costs, and guide you through the application process if you wish to proceed. For other locations, use the United Grand Lodge of England’s lodge enquiry service.
Can I join a Masonic lodge in LS17 or Alwoodley?
Yes, you can enquire about joining Philanthropic 304 at the North Leeds Masonic Centre in Alwoodley, LS17. You do not need to know a Freemason before contacting us. We can discuss whether our location and meeting schedule work for you; membership follows the lodge’s application and approval process.
Do I need to know a Freemason to enquire?
You can contact our membership team directly through this website. We’ll explain the process and arrange an informal conversation.
When and where do you meet?
We meet at the North Leeds Masonic Centre, The Allerton, Nursery Lane, Alwoodley, Leeds LS17 7HW, on the last Wednesday of each month, except July and August: ten meetings a year.
How much does Freemasonry membership cost in Leeds?
Our annual subscription is currently £150, reviewed each year. We aim to keep membership affordable. Fees vary between lodges, so when comparing Freemasonry membership fees in Leeds, ask each lodge about the total first-year cost and ongoing annual cost, including joining fees, dining and any other expenses.
Our team will explain any joining, dining or other costs before you decide, so you can understand the full commitment before applying.
Can I meet members before applying?
Yes. An informal meeting is part of the joining journey, and prospective members are welcome at many of our social functions as guests. Contact us to discuss an opportunity.
How long does joining take?
The process begins with an informal meeting, followed by an application if you wish to proceed. Our membership team will explain the next steps and timings.
I’m already a Freemason. Can I join or visit?
We welcome enquiries from Freemasons looking to join or visit a Leeds lodge. Contact the team and let us know your interest.
MAKING AN INFORMED CHOICE
Is Philanthropic 304 the right lodge for you?
A lodge becomes part of your routine, so the practical details matter as much as the idea of joining. Our home is in Alwoodley in North Leeds, and our regular meetings fall on the last Wednesday of the month, with a summer break in July and August.
Check the time commitment
Consider your journey to Nursery Lane and your work, family and other commitments on Wednesday evenings. Ask the membership team about arrival and finish times, dining arrangements and what is expected of a new member. Those details can help you decide whether our ten-meeting annual schedule fits your circumstances.
Understand the whole cost
The £150 annual subscription is one part of the conversation. Before applying, ask for the current first-year total and the costs in later years, including any joining fees, dining and other expenses. We will explain these before you decide; the subscription is reviewed annually.
Look at the life behind the description
Our charity reports give concrete examples of members’ support: £1,998 raised for Battle Scars in Leeds, and a £2,500 contribution towards new practice nets at Settle Cricket Club. Our About page introduces some of the people involved in the lodge and explains their responsibilities.
Bring questions to an informal conversation
- What attracted you to Freemasonry, and what would you like to learn?
- Would you like to meet members at a social function before applying?
- How will the meeting schedule and costs fit your circumstances?
- If you are already a Freemason, are you enquiring about a visit or joining membership?
You do not need to settle every question before contacting us. Send a membership enquiry and explain what you would like to discuss. For the national perspective, the United Grand Lodge of England’s joining guide provides further background.
Membership information reviewed on 4 November 2026. Confirm current fees and arrangements with the lodge before applying.
YOUR NEXT CHAPTER
It begins with a conversation.
Curious about Freemasonry? You don’t need to have all the answers. That’s what we’re here for.