About Us
About West Gate Lodge No. 623 F&AM
West Gate Lodge No. 623 F&AM was chartered on July 17, 1913, in the heart of Columbus, Ohio’s Hilltop neighborhood. For more than a century, our lodge has stood as a beacon of brotherhood, moral uprightness, and quiet service to the community.
In 1923, our historic temple was constructed at 2925 W. Broad Street on the site of an old farmhouse. Since that time, these walls have witnessed generations of men coming together to improve themselves and strengthen the bonds of friendship. From its earliest days, West Gate Lodge has been dedicated to the timeless principles of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth — the very foundation of Freemasonry.
We are part of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Ohio, and we continue the ancient tradition of using allegory and symbolism — drawn from the building of King Solomon’s Temple — to help good men become better. Through the three degrees of Craft Masonry, we encourage personal growth, ethical living, and a deeper understanding of our duty to God, our families, and our neighbors.
Why “West Gate?"
The name West Gate Lodge carries deep symbolic resonance within Freemasonry. In the allegory of King Solomon’s Temple — the central teaching tool of our Craft — the West Gate held special importance. It was one of the three principal entrances through which the workmen passed. In the Hiramic legend, it was at the West Gate that one of the ruffians confronted the Grand Master Hiram Abiff. Symbolically, the West represents the setting sun, the completion of the day’s labor, and the transition from the active work of building toward reflection, judgment, and the hope of light renewed in the East.
By choosing the name West Gate, our founders honored this ancient symbolism while grounding it in a very real place and time. Our temple at 2925 W. Broad Street stands on ground intimately connected to one of the most significant sites in Columbus history: Camp Chase.
During the American Civil War (1861–1865), Camp Chase served as a major Union military training camp, parole center, and prisoner-of-war facility. Located just west of downtown Columbus along the National Road (now West Broad Street), it processed tens of thousands of soldiers — both Union volunteers and Confederate prisoners. The main gate area of the camp once lay adjacent to the land where our lodge now stands. A historical marker commemorating Camp Chase is located right in front of our temple today.
Thus, the “West Gate” of our lodge not only echoes the symbolic gateway of Solomon’s Temple, but also stands as a modern sentinel on ground that once witnessed division, suffering, and the immense human cost of war. In a place once marked by conflict, West Gate Lodge has, for over a century, worked to promote harmony, brotherhood, and relief — quietly transforming a historic site of strife into a beacon of unity and moral improvement.
This dual heritage reminds us that Freemasonry is not abstract philosophy alone. It is lived out in specific times and places. Just as the workmen of old entered and exited through the gates of the Temple, we too pass through the West Gate of our own labors — reflecting on what we have built, learning from the past, and always turning our faces toward the East in search of further light.
Today, West Gate Lodge remains actively involved in the Hilltop and greater Columbus community. Whether through our well-known community breakfasts, charitable endeavors, or simply opening our doors for fellowship, we strive to live our Masonic obligations in visible, meaningful ways. We do not seek the spotlight; we simply labor in the quarry with the working tools of our profession — the 24-inch gauge to measure our time wisely, the common gavel to chip away at our own imperfections, and the trowel to spread the cement of brotherly love.
Our members come from many walks of life, yet we meet upon the level as equals. In an age that often feels divided, West Gate Lodge offers a place where men of good character can gather in harmony, reflect on life’s deeper questions, and work together for the betterment of themselves and those around them.
We are proud of our 110+ year heritage on West Broad Street, and we remain committed to keeping the light of Freemasonry burning brightly in Columbus, Ohio — not through words alone, but through the daily practice of virtue, charity, and integrity.
If the principles of Freemasonry resonate with you, we invite quiet contemplation. Those who feel drawn to our fraternity will always find a warm and open door at West Gate Lodge No. 623 F&AM.
West Gate Lodge No. 623 F&AM 2925 W. Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43204