[Jason]

In earlier times, the members of Acacia Lodge No. 85 were bound by the ironclad centuries-old Masonic rule against inviting outsiders to join their fraternal society.

"It used to be a Mason couldn't ask anyone to join, but now theoretically we can," said Jim Fahy, 70, a 32nd-degree Mason and retired Greenwich police lieutenant. "It is still not done very much because it was forbidden for so long."

The Masons are often perceived to be a mysterious and powerful men's club with strange rituals and far-reaching influence on politics and world events. The Greenwich lodge, whose numbers have dwindled to about 90 men, wants to breathe new life into its organization by opening up to new members, and by moving their lodge back to Byram from Darien, making it easier for older members to attend meetings.


Freemasons return to Greenwich - Greenwich Time