"There are no strangers in Freemasonry, only friends you've yet to meet."
About Irvine Valley Lodge No. 671 F.&A.M.
Born in tradition, forged in civility, and engaged in our community, Irvine Valley Lodge No. 671, Free and Accepted Masons, is a vibrant Masonic lodge serving the Orange County area. We trace our heritage to two proud lodges – one founded in the early days of San Clemente in 1929, and another born in the growing community of Irvine in 1989 – which consolidated in fraternal union in 1997 to form the Irvine Valley Lodge we know today. Our lodge welcomes men of good character from all walks of life, united by brotherhood, charity, and a shared commitment to personal growth. On this page, we invite you to learn about our history, the legacy of Freemasonry in California, and the notable figures and achievements that have shaped our lodge’s identity.
Our History
San Clemente Lodge No. 671 (1929) – Origins by the Sea
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San Clemente Lodge No. 671 was chartered in 1929 in the then-new “Spanish Village by the Sea,” San Clemente. The lodge’s founding members were an eclectic group of Master Masons hailing from across the country – men who brought with them rich Masonic traditions from cities as far-flung as Seattle and Hollywood. Notably, San Clemente’s visionary developer Ole Hanson was among the lodge’s early members. Hanson, famous as a former Seattle mayor and the founder of San Clemente​, lent his enthusiasm and support to the fledgling lodge. In fact, even before the lodge received its official charter, Hanson presented a large leather-bound Bible to the brethren on July 4, 1928, as a personal gift – a treasured volume that was on display at the San Clemente Historical Society museum until its closure in 2007​. Alongside Hanson were other distinguished charter members such as Hal Fred Warner of Hollywood (a nephew of legendary football coach Glenn “Pop” Warner), whose presence underscored the diverse talents and backgrounds of the lodge’s founders.
From its earliest days, San Clemente Lodge No. 671 became an active part of community life in southern Orange County. Over time, the brethren of Lodge 671 built a reputation for their charitable works and civic involvement. For example, in 1966 the lodge joined other community organizations in contributing memorabilia to a time capsule buried during the Dana Point Harbor groundbreaking – a capsule that would remain sealed for 50 years and be opened in 2016​. Generations of Masons passed through San Clemente Lodge’s doors, including many local leaders and business owners, all united by the tenets of Freemasonry. By the 1990s, however, demographic shifts and evolving membership led the brethren to consider a new path forward in partnership with a like-minded lodge to the north.
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Photo of San Clemente Lodge # 671 F. & A. M. from 1966
Irvine Lodge No. 841 (1989) – A Lodge on the Move
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Irvine Lodge No. 841 had a very different origin story. It began in the late 1980s as a humble Masonic Club formed at The Groves, a resident-owned mobile home community for active seniors in Irvine. Under the leadership of dedicated Masons like Richard Dean Hardage, James William DeWolf, and Utah G. Dennis, this club kindled the spark of Freemasonry among local residents. The Grand Lodge of California granted a charter to Irvine Lodge No. 841 in 1989, making it one of Orange County’s youngest Masonic lodges at the time. Without a permanent building to call its own, the new Irvine Lodge became a “lodge on the move.” For nine years, the brothers of No. 841 demonstrated extraordinary commitment by transporting and setting up their lodge furnishings each week for meetings. They met in borrowed spaces – including the community clubhouse at The Groves – where they would assemble the lodge’s altar, pillars, and regalia for each gathering, then lovingly pack everything away afterwards. This weekly ritual of setting up a temporary lodge room instilled a strong sense of unity and purpose among Irvine Lodge’s members. Despite the logistical challenges, the brethren of 841 thrived. They initiated new members, held family social events, and participated in charitable activities around Irvine, steadily building a reputation as an energetic and close-knit lodge. By the mid-1990s, Irvine Lodge No. 841 had proven that the spirit of Freemasonry could flourish even without a dedicated temple – all that was needed were devoted brothers and the “plenty of goodwill” they shared.
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Consolidation into Irvine Valley Lodge (1997 – Present)
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In 1997, history came full circle as San Clemente Lodge and Irvine Lodge joined forces in a fraternal consolidation. The two lodges united to become Irvine Valley Lodge No. 671, combining the number and older charter of San Clemente with the name and fresh energy of Irvine – a true blending of heritage and new growth. This consolidation was mutually beneficial: it brought the seasoned membership and beautiful building of San Clemente together with the youthful vitality and expanding membership of Irvine. For a time after 1997, Irvine Valley Lodge met in the historic San Clemente Masonic Center, enjoying the stability of a permanent home after years of itinerant meetings. The southernmost city in Orange County (San Clemente) thus continued to be served by Masonry until the lodge eventually decided to sell the old building and relocate closer to the heart of its membership​.
Today, Irvine Valley Lodge No. 671 carries forward the legacies of both predecessor lodges. We meet regularly at 23685 Birtcher Drive in Lake Forest, CA, a modern lodge facility that we share in harmony with another Masonic lodge. From this convenient location in central Orange County, our lodge serves communities spanning Irvine, Lake Forest, San Clemente, and beyond. Irvine Valley Lodge has proudly initiated, passed, and raised Masons who contribute to our fraternity’s future while honoring its past. We celebrate traditional events like our annual Installation of Officers and monthly stated meetings, as well as hosting social nights, family potlucks, and philanthropic endeavors that continue the charitable spirit of our founders. Though times have changed since 1929 and 1989, our core values remain constant – brotherly love, relief, and truth, practiced with the same dedication shown by those early brothers who set our foundation. Irvine Valley Lodge stands as a living bridge between generations of Masons, ever welcoming new brothers to share in our ongoing story.
Freemasonry in California
To better understand our lodge, it helps to know the broader context of Freemasonry in California. Masonry has been an integral part of California’s history and culture for over 170 years. During the Gold Rush of 1849, throngs of fortune-seekers flooded into California – and among them were many Freemasons who carried the fraternity’s traditions westward. The first Masonic lodges in California sprang up in mining camps and boomtowns, providing fellowship and moral support amid the rough-and-tumble of the gold fields​. In April 1850 – the same year California became a state – representatives of several lodges met in Sacramento to establish the Grand Lodge of California​. At its birth, the Grand Lodge oversaw just 11 lodges and about 250 Masons. But growth was rapid: within ten years, California Masonry expanded to 130 lodges and over 5,000 members​, extending from San Diego in the south to the Gold Country and San Francisco Bay Area in the north.
Over the ensuing decades, Freemasons played a significant role in California’s development. The fraternity’s principles of brotherhood, civic virtue, and charity resonated with many community leaders. It is noteworthy that 19 California governors have been Freemasons, along with numerous state officials and civic pioneers​. Masons helped found schools, churches, and orphanages; they laid cornerstones for public buildings and participated in major civic improvements. Culturally, Freemasonry became woven into the fabric of the state – from the earliest lodge halls (often the first substantial structures in a frontier town) to the grand Masonic Temple built in San Francisco in 1861 (and its modern successor on Nob Hill). By the 20th century, California’s population growth was mirrored by the fraternity’s expansion.
Today, the Grand Lodge of California is one of the largest Masonic jurisdictions in the world, with approximately 35,000 members and 330 lodges statewide​. This includes historic lodges over 150 years old and newer lodges formed in growing communities (much as Irvine Lodge was in 1989). California Freemasons continue to uphold our centuries-old traditions – opening our doors to men of all backgrounds, fostering friendships across cultural and religious lines, and working together to improve our communities. Irvine Valley Lodge is proud to be a part of this living legacy of California Freemasonry, contributing to the state’s ongoing tradition of fraternal service and leadership.
Notable Members and Milestones
Ole Hanson – City Founder and Lodge Benefactor: One of the most illustrious figures associated with our lodge’s history is Worshipful Brother Ole Hanson. Famous in the annals of Orange County as the founder of San Clemente, Hanson was not only a visionary real estate developer and former Seattle mayor, but also an active Mason whose enthusiasm greatly benefited our lodge. Hanson’s legacy in Masonry symbolizes the connection between civic leadership and fraternal values.
Hal Fred Warner – Hollywood Mason with a Famous Name: Another colorful character from our early years was Hal Fred Warner. Hailing from Hollywood Lodge in Los Angeles, Warner became a charter member of San Clemente Lodge No. 671. He also happened to be the nephew of legendary football coach Glenn Scobey “Pop” Warner – bringing a bit of sports lore into our fraternity’s story. While Hal Warner’s primary contributions were as a faithful Mason (serving in lodge offices and rituals), the trivia of his family connection is often shared with a smile among brothers. It reminds us that Freemasonry unites men from all sorts of backgrounds – whether famous by name or known only to their lodge brethren – in a common bond of friendship.
Founding Masters of Irvine Lodge No. 841: Irvine Valley Lodge likewise honors the foundational contributions of the men who established Irvine Lodge in 1989. Brothers Richard D. Hardage, James W. DeWolf, and Utah G. Dennis are remembered for their leadership, as they guided the lodge from a tiny club into a fully chartered body. They exemplified the pioneer spirit in a modern city, proving that Masonry’s light can be kindled anywhere with dedication and brotherly love. The perseverance of these founders – especially during the nine years without a fixed meeting place – is a point of pride for our lodge. Their efforts culminated in the successful merger with San Clemente Lodge, ensuring that the legacy of both lodges would prosper into the future.
Community Engagement and Charity: Throughout the years, Irvine Valley Lodge and its predecessor lodges have marked many milestones of service. Our members have routinely volunteered and contributed to local causes, reflecting the Masonic tenet of relief (charity). From scholarship programs for students, to support for the Southern California Special Olympics and Masonic charities, to participating in civic events (such as raising the flag at public ceremonies and, notably, placing a special parcel in the 1966 Dana Point Harbor time capsule​), the lodge has engaged with the community in meaningful ways. In 2004, our lodge celebrated the 75th anniversary of the original San Clemente Lodge, and in 2014 we marked 25 years since the founding of Irvine Lodge – each occasion serving as an opportunity to honor our past and rededicate ourselves to the future. We take pride in members who have earned recognition like the Hiram Award (the highest honor a California lodge can bestow on a brother for service) and in those who have gone on to serve at the Grand Lodge level, helping shape the direction of Masonry statewide.
Each of these highlights – iconic figures, dedicated founders, and community achievements – form part of the tapestry of Irvine Valley Lodge No. 671. We cherish our history and heroes, not out of nostalgia alone, but because they inspire us to live up to the high standards they set. Every new brother who knocks at our door is greeted with the knowledge that he is becoming part of something bigger than himself: a lodge with deep roots and strong wings. Our past, rich as it is, is but the prologue to our future – and we invite you to help us write the next chapter of Irvine Valley Lodge’s story.
Interested in learning more or visiting us?
Please feel welcome to reach out or drop by one of our events. Whether you’re a curious visitor or a brother Mason from another lodge, you will find a warm fraternal handshake and a place among friends at Irvine Valley Lodge No. 671.
Sources: Our lodge history is drawn from documented records and shared memories. For further reading on California Freemasonry’s early days, see the Grand Lodge of California’s historical overview​. Information about Ole Hanson’s civic career can be found in historical archives​ and on Wikipedia. Details of Hanson’s Bible presentation and other lodge artifacts are preserved in the Irvine Valley Lodge library and local museum notes​. The 1997 consolidation is noted in California Freemason magazine​. Our story continues to be written by the brothers of Irvine Valley Lodge – past, present, and future. Come be a part of it!
Become a Mason
Irvine Valley 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.
