Taft Midway Lodge
No. 426

Making true friends,
improving ourselves, having an impact

What is Masonry?

Masonry is the world’s first and largest fraternal organization.  It is guided by the enduring belief that each man has a responsibility to make the world a better place.  For 300 years, Freemasonry has enhanced and strengthened the character of individual men by providing opportunities for fellowship, charity, and the search for truth – within ourselves and the larger world.

Our Mission and Our Lodge

Welcome to Oil Country!

Here in the oil fields of western Kern County, you will find brothers of the ancient fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons at Taft-Midway Lodge No. 26. We have been providing each other and our families with brotherly love, relief, and truth since our lodge’s founding in 1911. For more than 100 years, we have taken an active role in improving and strengthening our local communities, living up to the fraternity’s enduring legacy of making good men better, and inspiring our members to benefit the world around them. Though we come from different walks of life, we are bonded as brothers.

Whether your wish is to explore and satisfy your curiosity about Freemasonry, or to join us as a brother in fellowship, you will have a place here with us. To any and all good men, near and far, we welcome you as brothers in the oil country!

Rewards of Being a Freemason

Making True Friends

Masonry is a community of men and their families who share similar beliefs and values. The fraternity finds it important to connect with other men of honor, compassion, love, trust, and knowledge, regardless of their race, color, religious beliefs, political views, sexual orientation, physical ability, citizenship, or national origin. We are friends and brothers, and are connected through this vital and uplifting organization of moral men.

Improving Ourselves

Our continuing pursuit of truth, knowledge, ethics, and leadership skills makes us better men and brings more meaning to our lives. Learning the tenets of Freemasonry, paired with being an active part of our community, gives us the opportunity to develop leadership and organizational skills, and builds self-discipline through commitment and self-confidence.

Having an Impact

As a member of the Freemasons, the Grand Lodge of California, and Taft Midway Lodge No. 426, we are a part of a worldwide organization that values tradition, history, and timeless wisdom. The traditions and core values of our fraternity are meaningful today and will endure for centuries to come because of our direct impact in our community, through our charities, and on a personal level.

Join Us

Taft Midway Lodge membership is open to men 18 and older who meet the qualifications and standards of character and intention, and who believe in a Supreme Being.  Men of all ethnic and religious backgrounds are welcome.

One of Freemasonry’s customs is not to solicit members – men must seek membership on their own initiative. Anyone is welcome to request information about the fraternity.

If you are interested in applying for membership to our lodge, now is a good time to start.  Please contact us to schedule a visit during an event, or request more information.

Contact us

Our social

Upcoming events

December 6, 2023
December 13, 2023
  • December 13, 2023

    Dinner

    December 13, 2023 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

    Regular Monthly Dinner prior to Stated Meeting

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  • December 13, 2023

    Masonic Practice

    December 13, 2023 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

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  • December 13, 2023

    Stated Meeting

    December 13, 2023 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

    Regular Monthly Stated Meeting

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December 20, 2023
December 27, 2023
January 3, 2024
January 10, 2024
  • January 10, 2024

    Dinner

    January 10, 2024 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

    Regular Monthly Dinner prior to Stated Meeting

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  • January 10, 2024

    Masonic Practice

    January 10, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

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  • January 10, 2024

    Stated Meeting

    January 10, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

    Regular Monthly Stated Meeting

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January 17, 2024
January 24, 2024
January 31, 2024
February 7, 2024
February 14, 2024
  • February 14, 2024

    Dinner

    February 14, 2024 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

    Regular Monthly Dinner prior to Stated Meeting

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  • February 14, 2024

    Masonic Practice

    February 14, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

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  • February 14, 2024

    Stated Meeting

    February 14, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

    Regular Monthly Stated Meeting

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February 21, 2024
February 28, 2024
March 6, 2024
March 13, 2024
  • March 13, 2024

    Dinner

    March 13, 2024 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

    Regular Monthly Dinner prior to Stated Meeting

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  • March 13, 2024

    Masonic Practice

    March 13, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

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  • March 13, 2024

    Stated Meeting

    March 13, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

    Regular Monthly Stated Meeting

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March 20, 2024
March 27, 2024
April 3, 2024
April 10, 2024
  • April 10, 2024

    Dinner

    April 10, 2024 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

    Regular Monthly Dinner prior to Stated Meeting

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  • April 10, 2024

    Masonic Practice

    April 10, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

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  • April 10, 2024

    Stated Meeting

    April 10, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

    Regular Monthly Stated Meeting

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April 17, 2024
April 24, 2024
May 1, 2024
May 8, 2024
  • May 8, 2024

    Dinner

    May 8, 2024 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

    Regular Monthly Dinner prior to Stated Meeting

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  • May 8, 2024

    Masonic Practice

    May 8, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

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  • May 8, 2024

    Stated Meeting

    May 8, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

    Regular Monthly Stated Meeting

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May 15, 2024
May 22, 2024
May 29, 2024
June 5, 2024
June 12, 2024
  • June 12, 2024

    Dinner

    June 12, 2024 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

    Regular Monthly Dinner prior to Stated Meeting

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  • June 12, 2024

    Masonic Practice

    June 12, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

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  • June 12, 2024

    Stated Meeting

    June 12, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

    Regular Monthly Stated Meeting

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June 19, 2024
June 26, 2024
July 3, 2024
July 10, 2024
  • July 10, 2024

    Dinner

    July 10, 2024 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

    Regular Monthly Dinner prior to Stated Meeting

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  • July 10, 2024

    Masonic Practice

    July 10, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

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  • July 10, 2024

    Stated Meeting

    July 10, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

    Regular Monthly Stated Meeting

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July 17, 2024
July 24, 2024
July 31, 2024
August 7, 2024
August 14, 2024
  • August 14, 2024

    Dinner

    August 14, 2024 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

    Regular Monthly Dinner prior to Stated Meeting

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  • August 14, 2024

    Masonic Practice

    August 14, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

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  • August 14, 2024

    Stated Meeting

    August 14, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

    Regular Monthly Stated Meeting

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August 21, 2024
August 28, 2024
September 4, 2024
September 11, 2024
  • September 11, 2024

    Dinner

    September 11, 2024 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

    Regular Monthly Dinner prior to Stated Meeting

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  • September 11, 2024

    Masonic Practice

    September 11, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

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  • September 11, 2024

    Stated Meeting

    September 11, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

    Regular Monthly Stated Meeting

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September 18, 2024
September 25, 2024
October 2, 2024
October 9, 2024
  • October 9, 2024

    Dinner

    October 9, 2024 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

    Regular Monthly Dinner prior to Stated Meeting

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  • October 9, 2024

    Masonic Practice

    October 9, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

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  • October 9, 2024

    Stated Meeting

    October 9, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

    Regular Monthly Stated Meeting

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October 16, 2024
October 23, 2024
October 30, 2024
November 6, 2024
November 13, 2024
  • November 13, 2024

    Dinner

    November 13, 2024 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

    Regular Monthly Dinner prior to Stated Meeting

    Save to your calendar

  • November 13, 2024

    Masonic Practice

    November 13, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

    Save to your calendar

  • November 13, 2024

    Stated Meeting

    November 13, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

    Regular Monthly Stated Meeting

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November 20, 2024
November 27, 2024
View Full Calendar

Masonic news

Join Us and Let Your Network Know #ImAMason!

Between July 10–21, we’re asking all members who are comfortable doing so to post a short message on Facebook or Instagram saying why Freemasonry is important to you. 

California Freemason: The Magic Issue

In the Magic Issue of California Freemason magazine, we’re casting a light on some of those similar connections between magic and Masonry.

Download the Simple Guide to Freemasonry

Discuss your Masonic experience with others easily by downloading the simple guide to Freemasonry and brushing up on the basics.

Learn About Freemasonry Symbols

Maybe you’ve seen the square and compass logo on buildings around town or wondered about the meaning of emblems like the Masonic trowel. What’s the history behind Masonic symbols, and how do they factor into what happens in a lodge?

California Freemason Magazine: The Temple Issue

In this issue of California Freemason Magazine, we’re casting our gaze anew at our fraternal home, the California Masonic Memorial Temple in San Francisco.

New Online Exhibition from the Henry W. Coil Library and Museum of Freemasonry

Explore some stunning examples of this fraternal craftwork through the ages in From the Hands of Fellowship, a new virtual exhibition from the Henry Wilson Coil Library and Museum of Freemasonry.

California Freemason Magazine: Freemasonry in Latin America Now

In this special issue of California Freemason, we take a Masonic road trip south of the border to learn about the long history of Freemasonry in Latin America.

Discovery Masonry on Freemason.org

Say hello to a series of brand-new web resources for prospects and new members available on freemason.org, the online home of the Masons of California.

Working as Death’s Doormen

These Masons working with death have an intimate familiarity with the other side.

Underwater, Reminders of a Forgotten Masonic Cemetery

A tiny, sandy cove, San Francisco’s Aquatic Park is one of the most reliably sunny spots in town. Yet clues of the city’s distant past are still there.

At a Masonic Cemetery, a Forever Home

Beginning in 1852, Masonic cemeteries have provided a final resting place for some of the most important figures in California’s history. From Shasta to San Diego, they’ve brought Masons together to celebrate, mourn, and pay homage.

For Freemasons, Death is Not the End

The Masonic funeral ceremony is often the first encounter of the craft for outsiders—which is fitting, because the concepts of death, rebirth, and legacy are important elements to Freemasonry.

See All Articles