I personally think the Masons were originally the Knights Templar.
The legend goes the Knights Templar hid within the ranks of the Masons. Finally blending them together.
my ex-gf's stepfather is a 33d degree mason. he said something about he had the oppurtunity to become a higher level of mason (scotland yard, or something along thise lines) i helped him rebuild a church last summer. he started to teach me the basics of masonry.
Theres even a "mason's temple"(i think its called) in my town. never been inside, the doors are usually locked, with dark blue curtains pulled over the entire windows&door.