Craftsmen717

Craftsmen Lodge

100 years of Masonic Legacy in Bevo Mill, St. Louis, MO.

About

Welcome to Craftsmen Lodge No. 717, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, serving the Bevo Mill neighborhood of south St. Louis. Whether you are curious about Freemasonry, planning a visit, or looking for your lodge home, this page is the overview of who we are, where we meet, and how our story fits together.

Craftsmen Lodge No. 717

Craftsmen Lodge No. 717 was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Missouri on March 14, 1997. Our charter number, 717, comes from the final consolidation of Harmony Lodge No. 499 and America–Good Hope Lodge No. 218—499 and 218 added together. The lodge was formed when predecessor bodies consolidated their work under one charter: America Lodge No. 347 and Good Hope Lodge No. 218 merged on May 9, 1990 as America–Good Hope Lodge No. 218; Harmony Lodge No. 499 and America–Good Hope Lodge No. 218 subsequently merged into Craftsmen Lodge No. 717.

Good Hope Lodge’s Past Masters register continues to 1860, and the consolidated predecessor list on our Past Masters page traces Worshipful Masters of America, Good Hope, America–Good Hope, and Harmony through the years leading to today’s Craftsmen Lodge.

Our building and neighborhood

Craftsmen Lodge meets at 4386 Bates Street in the Bevo Mill area of St. Louis (63116). The building we use has Masonic history going back roughly one hundred years; its cornerstone was laid in 1927. It was dedicated as a Masonic lodge known as America Temple, and Masonic bodies—including predecessors in our line—have gathered here across generations.

Front view of the Craftsmen Lodge building on Bates Street, St. Louis
Three-quarter view of the Craftsmen Lodge building on Bates Street with surrounding neighborhood
The lodge on Bates Street — originally dedicated as America Temple, with a cornerstone laid in 1927.

Bevo Mill is a distinctive south-city neighborhood, named for the landmark mill built by Anheuser-Busch near Gravois and Morganford. Bates Street runs through a residential area with deep St. Louis roots. We are proud to carry forward Masonic work in this community.

Historic photograph of the Bevo Mill windmill building in St. Louis
The historic Bevo Mill at Gravois Avenue and Morganford Road, namesake of the neighborhood. Missouri History Museum collections (public domain).

Meeting with us

We meet on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, except in July and August, when the lodge is on summer vacation and we do not hold regular communications. Dinner is typically at 6:00 p.m., with the stated meeting at 7:00 p.m. Visitors and interested men are welcome to contact us before attending. For phone and email, see our Contact page.

Learn more

  • History — a fuller narrative of our story is in the works; check back as we publish more.
  • Past Masters — register of Craftsmen Past Masters and consolidated predecessor lodges.
  • Current Officers — who serves the lodge this year.
  • FAQ — common questions about Freemasonry and visiting Craftsmen Lodge.
  • Contact — reach the Worshipful Master or lodge secretary.