About IFAMM

International Free & Accepted Modern Masons

Our story began in a meeting some 70+ years ago when Dr. William Venoid Banks held a meeting in Ohio with 21 other friends to conceptualize International Free & Accepted Modern Masons, Incorporated and Order of the Eastern Star (IFAMM). We were organized in 1950 by Dr. William V. Banks with the two additional signers on the founding documents being Rev. William Kirksey and Brother Henry Allen. The focus was to form a Christian Fraternal Society that held very high ideas about the development of men, women and children. IFAMM’s purposes are moral, financial, benevolent, and charitable leadership with the focus to serve the present age, hence Modern in the name.

Since our beliefs are firmly rooted in the Bible, our members are taught to be charitable and of service to all mankind. Our intentions are to induce an ethical way of life which brings about those improvements necessary to the construction of good, clean respected citizenship.

Our story began in a meeting some 70+ years ago when Dr. William Venoid Banks held a meeting in Ohio with 21 other friends to conceptualize International Free & Accepted Modern Masons, Incorporated and Order of the Eastern Star (IFAMM). We were organized in 1950 by Dr. William V. Banks with the two additional signers on the founding documents being Rev. William Kirksey and Brother Henry Allen. The focus was to form a Christian Fraternal Society that held very high ideas about the development of men, women and children. IFAMM’s purposes are moral, financial, benevolent, and charitable leadership with the focus to serve the present age, hence Modern in the name.

Since our beliefs are firmly rooted in the Bible, our members are taught to be charitable and of service to all mankind. Our intentions are to induce an ethical way of life which brings about those improvements necessary to the construction of good, clean respected citizenship.

IFAMM, Inc. and OES adheres to the ancient moral principles and landmarks set up during the initiation formation of Freemasonry in England back in the 1700’s. However over the course of time and due to the advancements in technology, information sharing, and societal norms; things were modified in order to remain current and allow us to offer modern benefits to our members and society as a whole. IFAMM, Inc. and OES has no quarrels with other Masonic Bodies, and we are glad to work with other Fraternal Orders to build Masonry as a brotherhood and sisterhood based on the principles of the Holy Bible.

Regarding recognition, there is no official authority in the world that oversees Freemasonry, there are model Fraternal Orders in all parts of the world. Some Masonic Bodies operating within the United States were set up before the country gained its independence and acquired a charter from England.

Every legally operating Masonic body set up after 1776 in the United States has acquired recognition from a State Governing Authority (i.e. Secretary of State). IFAMM, Inc. and OES was founded and incorporated August, 1950 in Dover, Delaware. IFAMM, Inc. and OES is empowered to practice Freemasonry, and operate as a Masonic Order throughout the United States, its possessions and territories as stated in our founding documents and language. We have the same rights as those with charters issued directly from the Grand Lodge of England. The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) is the governing body of Freemasonry in England, Wales and the Channel Islands ONLY and does not regulate Freemasonry worldwide (as stated on their website).