Grand Lodge Alpina of Switzerland

The Grand Lodge Alpina of Switzerland (German: Schweizerische Grossloge Alpina) (French: Grande Loge Suisse Alpina) is one of the Grand Lodges of Freemasons in Switzerland.[1]

Grand Lodge Alpina of Switzerland
Formation1844
Location
  • Switzerland
Websitefreimaurerei.ch
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Freemasonry
Overview

History

The Grand Lodge was founded in 1844[2]. At the time of the foundation there were said to be around 30 masonic lodges operating in Switzerland.[3]

The right-wing Swiss Army colonel Arthur Fonjallaz attempted to orchestrate a legal ban on Freemasonry (and other societies) in the 1930s, apparently in sympathy with bans introduced by Hitler's Germany and Mussolini's Italy at that period. The attempted ban was rejected by the Swiss people in 1937.[3]

In 2008 the Grand Lodge listed 4,000 members in 83 lodges under its jurisdiction.[4] It has since consecrated 3 further lodges, taking the total to 86.[5]

In 2009 the Grand Lodge Alpina adopted an official position on women's freemasonry. In common with the United Grand Lodge of England, and many other regular masonic jurisdictions, Grand Lodge Alpina encourages its members and its lodges to cooperate with women's masonic lodges in social events and charitable endeavours, but maintains entirely separate organisation and ceremonial, with no inter-visitation between formal meeting of male and female lodges.[6]

Recognition

The Grand Lodge Alpina is recognised by the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE).[7][8] UGLE recognition is a significant indicator of a Regular Masonic jurisdiction. Although traditionally linked to the more liberal Continental Freemasonry of the Grand Orient de France, Alpina became closer to the United Grand Lodge of England after World War II, leading to official recognition. As a result, some liberal members left the Grand Lodge, and ultimately set up the rival Grand Orient de Suisse.[9]

Many members of the Grand Lodge Alpina also belong to the Helvetica Lodge No 4894 (UGLE) in London, which exists to serve Swiss freemasons in England, and to cement Anglo-Swiss relations.[10]

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gollark: To actually use it you do need to know more than how to install it, though.

References
  1. Official web site of the Grande Loge Suisse Alpina Archived 2008-08-01 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Page 248, History of Freemasonry Its Antiquities, Symbols, Constitutions, Customs Part 2: V. II, by Robert Freke Gould, Reprinted by Kessinger Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0-7661-3497-0
  3. "Zurich's freemasons go public". swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  4. Source (28/08/2008)
  5. Lodge list.
  6. "Grand Lodge Alpina of Switzerland". Geneva: Masonry Universal Lodge. Retrieved 2 April 2018. The General Assembly of the Grand Lodge Alpina of Switzerland has adopted the following declaration with respect to Feminine Freemasonry in Switzerland as of 6th June 2009...
  7. Masonic Recognition Archived 2002-06-25 at the Wayback Machine - Paul Bessel
  8. UGLE recognition list.
  9. History page Archived 2008-08-25 at the Wayback Machine from the Grand Orient de Suisse
  10. Lodge details.
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