About Dormer MSC
A fellowship of Masonic scholars, researchers, and enthusiasts united by a shared passion for understanding the Craft.
The Dormer Masonic Study Circle
"Dormer," as we habitually call "The Study Circle" for short, is a society for Master Masons either under the United Grand Lodge of England, or under a regular Grand Lodge which is in amity. The Circle was founded on 13th January 1938 with the aim of promoting serious study and research into Freemasonry.
Our members are internationally distributed, united by a shared interest in the history, symbolism, philosophy, and traditions of Freemasonry. We welcome Master Masons regardless of their level of Masonic experience or knowledge.
When & Where We Meet
We meet four times a year on the third Thursday of March, June, September, and December. Meetings are held at Freemasons' Hall, 60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ — the headquarters of the United Grand Lodge of England.
Meetings start at 1:30 PM and finish by 3:00 PM. Each consists of a paper or lecture delivered by a member or guest speaker, followed by a period of open discussion. We usually meet in one of the Committee Rooms — please ask at front reception on arrival to confirm. There is no dress code for meetings of the Study Circle.
For overseas members and those unable to attend in person, meetings are also available via Zoom. Details are circulated to members in advance of each meeting.
We also hold at least one extraordinary meeting each year devoted to the Holy Royal Arch, on the first Thursday in November at 3:30 PM, again at Freemasons’ Hall. This Royal Arch meeting has been held annually since 2017 and is available for in-person attendance only; it cannot be attended via Zoom.
Papers & Research
At the heart of the Circle's activities is the presentation and discussion of original Masonic papers. Members are encouraged to submit papers on any aspect of Freemasonry, and we also invite distinguished guest speakers from the wider Masonic research community.
Papers are made available to members through the Members Area of our website. We have an extensive archive of past papers covering a wide range of Masonic topics.
If you would like to present a paper to the Circle, please contact the Secretary. There is no requirement to attend in person, as all regular meetings can now be joined via Zoom. We particularly welcome papers presented by international members.
We do not publish materials other than on the Dormer Website as a rule: papers purporting to be from Dormer Masonic Study Circle found elsewhere online have been published illegally and without our permission.
Double Horizon Lodge No. 9269
Founded in 1988 by members of the Dormer Masonic Study Circle, the Lodge represents a realisation of the founders' wishes to practice the kind of Freemasonry that Dormer discussed at its meetings. In 1991, the associated Royal Arch Chapter was also founded. Learn more about the Lodge, Chapter, and visiting on its dedicated page.