ABOUT FREEMASONRY

There can be an endless number of reasons to which a man feels he wants to become a Freemason. These intentions can be summarized with the eight categories of Tradition, Morality, Self-Improvement, Fraternity, Fellowship, Charity, Education and Leadership. As a body of Freemasons, Ionic Lodge #31 strives to inspire and strengthen these core values within its members to develop them as individuals in addition to strengthening the Lodge as a whole.

For this reason, we pride ourselves in the inclusion of each of our officers and members in as much as they would like to offer, while keeping in mind each individuals opinion and point-of-view to further develop our everyday lodge-related activities. From the newest member to the Worshipful Master, each person's opinion shall be heard with equal regularity within the body of a Lodge.

As Masons, we can consistently be looking for opportunities to better ourselves - sometimes even without trying. Our principles can apply to occupations, friendships, communities and other social or occupational organizations. All men are welcomed within our fraternity, of all faiths and walks of life; as long as they believe in a Supreme Being: God, Allah, Yahweh, Buddha, etc., your presence within our organization will be welcomed.

As a Freemason you will be referred to as a "Brother" by your peers. This inclusion will allow admittance into any standing Lodge in the world. Each state and territory of the United States has a Grand Lodge, the governing body within their state. There are many subordinate lodges within each state, and around the world to which you would be welcomed to enter given the proper verbal and physical codes of admission.

On social media, we are active in connecting with our fellow members. It is common to find regular postings of events that other members might interested in. It can be used for a singular salutation or a marketplace for Masons to sell items and ask their Brothers if they would like them first. Some of these groups are private, but admission to them comes with the package. You can visit the Brother to Brother Page, Ionic #31 Masonic Lodge Page and the Freemasons in Delaware Page. Other lodges within Delaware and elsewhere have their own specific pages to explore as well.

History of Ionic Lodge #31

Ionic Lodge #31 was chartered on November 4, 1950. They first met in Newport, Delaware and was the first lodge chartered by the Grand Lodge of Delaware in nearly 50 years. Grand Master Henry I. Law and his officer's initiated Edward H. Livermore, Jr. as the first Worshipful Master of the Lodge. The name of the lodge was chosen for a specific reason. Of the twenty-two other active lodges in the state, there was already a Corinthian and a Doric Lodge, but there was no Ionic Lodge thus completing the 3 types of Greek columns in architecture.

By 1950, the population in Delaware was shifting to the suburbs and Armstrong Lodge was growing exponentially. Armstrong members made up 12 of the 13 charter members of Ionic #31. The 13th individual came from Nanticoke Lodge in Federalsburg, MD.

Some Notable Dates In Ionic History:

December 1953: Ionic Lodge reached 100 members
1955: Ionic began sponsoring and furnishing a room in the Delaware Masonic Home
1958: Theodore H. Work, Jr. was the first member of Ionic Lodge to serve on Delaware's Grand Staff as Junior Grand Warden
Henry F. Seeds became the third PM to serve on Grand Staff in 1964 as Senior Grand Steward, but the first to be elected to Senior Grand Warden in 1969. RW Seeds supported the inception of the Delaware Freemason, a local Masonic newspaper
By 1971, Ionic's membership had grown to nearly 400 members.
August 1975: Ionic members and their wives traveled to Oak Ridge, Tennessee to confer a Master Mason degree with Union Lodge #38 in Kingston, Tennessee in Eblen's Cave. While the Brothers were meeting, the ladies were treated to a guided tour of the Oak Ridge Atomic Facility.
1994: Ionic Lodge began participating in Adopt-A-Highway for a section of Route 4 that runs between Newport and Stanton.
1997: PM George Grandel of Ionic Lodge had the winning design for the new State Quarter to be issued as the first State Quarter by the US Mint.
August 2022: Members of Ionic Lodge #31 and the Masonic Brotherhood Riders returned to Tennessee for another Cave Degree. The Ionic Ladies met and socialized with the ladies from the other lodges at a nice luncheon at a local restaurant.

OUR 2026-2027 OFFICER LINE

Worshipful Master

Michael Rodgers, PM

Senior Warden

Michael "Mike" Swain, PM

Junior Warden

Jason Alexander

Treasurer

Robert Noble, PM

Secretary

James "Jim" White, Jr., PM

Assistant Secretary

Harry "Bud" Skinner, PM

Senior Deacon

Charles "Chuck" Porter, Jr., PM

Junior Deacon

Byron Price, PM

Senior Steward

Jonathan Perez

Junior Steward

Chaplain

Paul Wolff

Tiler

Jason Spohn

Orator

Fred Palmer

Marshal

A Letter from our Worshipful Master

Dear Friends, Brothers, and Visitors,

On behalf of the officers and members of our Lodge, I extend a warm and sincere welcome to you. Whether you are a longtime Mason, someone interested in learning more about Freemasonry, or simply visiting our website, we are grateful for your interest and hope you will take a few moments to learn about who we are and what we stand for.

Freemasonry is one of the world's oldest and most respected fraternal organizations.

We strive to build better men, strengthen our communities, and support one another through fellowship, charity, and personal growth. Our Lodge is more than a meeting place—it is a family of men from diverse backgrounds who share a common commitment to integrity, service, and lifelong learning.

Our Lodge is proud of its traditions, but we are equally committed to ensuring that Freemasonry remains vibrant and relevant for future generations. Throughout the year, we gather not only for our stated meetings but also for educational programs, charitable initiatives, family events, and opportunities to enjoy fellowship with one another. We believe that the strongest Lodges are those where every Brother is welcomed, every visitor is valued, and every member has the opportunity to contribute.

If you are a Mason traveling through our area, we invite you to visit our Lodge and share in our fellowship. You will always find a warm handshake, friendly conversation, and a place among Brothers.

If you are not yet a Mason but have been curious about Freemasonry, we encourage you to reach out. We are always happy to answer questions, discuss our history and values, and help you determine whether our fraternity is right for you. Freemasonry is a journey of self-improvement, friendship, and service—a journey that has enriched the lives of countless men for generations.

Thank you for visiting our website. We hope it provides a glimpse into our Lodge, our activities, and our commitment to serving both our members and our community. We look forward to meeting you, welcoming you through our doors, and sharing the fellowship that makes our Lodge such a special place.

Fraternally,

Michael Rodgers

Worshipful Master