We’re going to start the Meet the Brother series with the 2026 Worshipful Master, Worshipful Brother Matt Phillippi.
Q: How long have you been involved in Freemasonry?
A: My Masonic anniversary is January 16th, so I will be at three years this coming Friday.
Q: Where were you Raised as a Master Mason?
A: Right here in Rockingham Union Lodge No. 27.
Q: What drew you to Freemasonry?
A: I have been heavily involved in Scouting my whole life. I am an Eagle Scout and still volunteer with Scouting America (previously called the Boy Scouts of America). One of the great things about youth programs like Scouting is that adult engagement and mentorship is an important method of the program and there were a few adults during my time that had a great impact on me that were Masons. I am also a history buff, and the history of Scouting is an interesting one. Learning about the way Freemasonry impacted Scouting in its early years–not just in the United States but as a global movement–further piqued my interest. Of course, being interested in history in the United States also means that Freemasons crop up in all sorts of places. So it was only natural that it was on my radar for many years.
What pushed me to join was actually the divisions in our society. There was a book published in 2000 called Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community by Robert Putnam. It promotes the theory that these divisions are fueled by the decline of attendance and membership in places where people from the community come together as friends and neighbors which makes it easier for us to see them as “others” when things like political divisions crop up. The fact that Freemasonry creates a bond between us in a space where politics and religion are not barriers and are not discussed allowing us to come together with a shared set of values and do good for each other and the community is what sealed the deal for me.
Q: Upon becoming a Brother, was it what you expected?
A: I have never been one that believed the conspiracy theories, so I wasn’t too surprised. I did not expect all of the teachings and they way they are passed on because I purposely tried to avoid the countless spoilers that are out there, even though they are buried in mountains of misinformation. The variety of people involved is amazing and it is great to see people from so many different backgrounds, not just locally or in Virginia, but worldwide that share in these teachings and have this common bond of Brotherhood.
Q: What is your favorite moment so far in Masonry?
A: I actually do a presentation in Lodges called “Scouting and Freemasonry: Two Parallel Global Movements and American Institutions.” I love giving this presentation and the questions I get. Hearing the stories from Brothers who were Scouts when they were younger and seeing the passion for the program is heartening.
Q: What are some of your goals for this Masonic year?
A: I am trying to lay the groundwork for a resurgence of Rockingham Union. It’s ambitious in a lot of ways and it won’t be accomplished this year. I am trying to make our Lodge more visible in the community by taking part in community events and service opportunities. Opening our doors more to the public. Planning to updates to our building. There is a lot I would like to see happen but really it is about setting those next in line up to carry the torch with some forward momentum.
Q: If there is one thing you would like the public to know about Freemasonry that they might not realize, what would it be?
A: That we are still around. Freemasonry, like a lot of similar organizations have faded into the background over the past few decades. This is why a lot of my efforts focus on putting us out there, again. When you look around Harrisonburg you see the names of our Brothers everywhere. Hardesty, Higgins, Wilton, Grattan, Waterman, Keister, and on and on. We’ve been in downtown Harrisonburg since 1789 but so many don’t know we’re still here. So being more visible allows us to not only do more for our community but can attract more to our fraternity, which then allows us to do even more for our community.