History of Alexandra Lodge 985
Not surprisingly the first Masonic Lodge in Lincolnshire was formed in Lincoln, a which first met at the ‘Saracen’s Head’ in 1728. Masonry in Lincolnshire became dormant during the middle of the 18th century, but revived in the late 18th century and early 19th century. There were just four Lodges in Lincolnshire in 1804, namely Barton-Upon-Humber, Gainsborough, Lincoln and Louth.
Judging from the following records the first year or so of Alexandra Lodge were difficult because of illness and irregular attendance. It must be remembered that in all probability members either walked to Lodge meetings, travelled by pony and trap or possibly by train if there was a late train available for the return journey, so attendance would have been difficult for a number of members in this rural area.
The national rejoicings which took place in 1863 on the occasion of the marriage of the Prince of
Wales with the Princess Alexandra of Denmark are commemorated by the establishment in that year of two Masonic Lodges bearing the name of Her Royal Highness. One of these was founded at
Long Sutton, on the petition of Bros. R. J. Metcalfe, (Worshipful Master) J.A Richardson (Senior Warden) E.F. Cole (Junior Warden), J. Bell, J Johnson, R. Flanders and W. Johnson (Inner Guard).
The Lodge was dedicated on Sept. 21st 1863 by Bro. W. Clegg, of Boston, (Prov. Grand Warden).
Brother S. S. Mossop being appointed Senior Deacon and Secretary, and Bro. Patrick (Junior Deacon). At the end of the year the Lodge-roll contained the names of eighteen brethren.
As already stated, the first meeting took place in September. On 21st March following
Bro. J. A. Richardson, (Senior Warden) was elected Worshipful Master, and duly installed the following month. In July a Lodge of Emergency was held, and two initiations took place, the Deputy
Provincial Ground Master being also present
At the Regular Lodge in September it is recorded that instructions had been received from Grand
Lodge that the Master's installation was premature. Bro. Richardson was accordingly re-installed. At
the next election (September, 1865) Bro. E. F. Cole was chosen to occupy the chair. The Master was
unable, through serious illness, to attend the October and November Lodges. At the February and
March meetings business was postponed owing to the absence of the officers. After this date (March 19th, 1866) no account of any Masonic transactions appear in the Minute Book for over eighteen
months. On Nov. 18th, 1867, Bro. Richardson in the chair, it was agreed that Bro. Garthwaite be
Worshipful Master for the ensuing year.
" The members present in turn spoke with true masonic feeling, and expressed sentiments that
proved the Alexandra Lodge meant to continue their meetings in good earnest."
In the following January Brother Garthwaite told the brethren that his election was informal, but that he would occupy the chair as Past Junior Warden and hold Lodges of Instruction.
A lengthy correspondence ensued between the Lodge and the Deputy Provincial Grand Master on
the state of affairs. In 1869 Brother Cabourn Pocklington, of Boston, was elected a member and
Master of the Lodge. Under this brother's able guidance and assistance, continued for several years,
Alexandra Lodge resumed its regular meetings.
The death of Bro. E. F. Cole is recorded in Jan., 1871. The brethren attended the funeral, and sent a
letter of condolence to the family, and record "how much we regret having lost the services of so old and valued a member of the Lodge."
October, 1871. Fraternal greetings from a native of Long Sutton, a member of a Washington, U.S.A.,
Lodge.
In 1874, Alexandra being again in difficulties owing to irregular attendance, it was decided to hold
the meetings at Holbeach.
At the Lodge held March l0th, 1884, being the twenty-first anniversary of the marriage of the Prince
and Princess of Wales, a letter of congratulation was sent to the Grand Master. In October, 1886, the brethren removed to their present place of meeting, the Bridge Hotel, Sutton Bridge. A Charity
Association in connection with the Province was formed during the Mastership of Bro. C. E. Ward,
and has proved eminently satisfactory.
There were 22 Lodges in Lincolnshire in 1887, with a thousand members.
It is recorded in the minutes of the Hundred of Elloe Lodge in Spalding that W. Bro. Vincent of Alexandra Lodge attended its Christmas Lodge in 1902 and gave Seasonal Greeting to the Master and Members of the Spalding Lodge.
Most of the above information is taken from a book called ‘A History of Freemasonry in
Lincolnshire ‘ held at the Library of Cornell University, Ithaca, New York and published in 1894.
Thanks to the financial generosity of Brother Garthwaite and his sister, the Masonic Hall was built in 1927. It is a fine building of undoubted quality and well worth visiting.
Today, Alexandra Lodge is in good heart, with 51 members, ranging in age from young men in their 20’s and 30’s, to a brother who continues to be a regular participant, aged 99!
If you would like to know more about Alexandra Lodge, or might like to become a member, please Contact the Lodge via the button below.
Judging from the following records the first year or so of Alexandra Lodge were difficult because of illness and irregular attendance. It must be remembered that in all probability members either walked to Lodge meetings, travelled by pony and trap or possibly by train if there was a late train available for the return journey, so attendance would have been difficult for a number of members in this rural area.
The national rejoicings which took place in 1863 on the occasion of the marriage of the Prince of
Wales with the Princess Alexandra of Denmark are commemorated by the establishment in that year of two Masonic Lodges bearing the name of Her Royal Highness. One of these was founded at
Long Sutton, on the petition of Bros. R. J. Metcalfe, (Worshipful Master) J.A Richardson (Senior Warden) E.F. Cole (Junior Warden), J. Bell, J Johnson, R. Flanders and W. Johnson (Inner Guard).
The Lodge was dedicated on Sept. 21st 1863 by Bro. W. Clegg, of Boston, (Prov. Grand Warden).
Brother S. S. Mossop being appointed Senior Deacon and Secretary, and Bro. Patrick (Junior Deacon). At the end of the year the Lodge-roll contained the names of eighteen brethren.
As already stated, the first meeting took place in September. On 21st March following
Bro. J. A. Richardson, (Senior Warden) was elected Worshipful Master, and duly installed the following month. In July a Lodge of Emergency was held, and two initiations took place, the Deputy
Provincial Ground Master being also present
At the Regular Lodge in September it is recorded that instructions had been received from Grand
Lodge that the Master's installation was premature. Bro. Richardson was accordingly re-installed. At
the next election (September, 1865) Bro. E. F. Cole was chosen to occupy the chair. The Master was
unable, through serious illness, to attend the October and November Lodges. At the February and
March meetings business was postponed owing to the absence of the officers. After this date (March 19th, 1866) no account of any Masonic transactions appear in the Minute Book for over eighteen
months. On Nov. 18th, 1867, Bro. Richardson in the chair, it was agreed that Bro. Garthwaite be
Worshipful Master for the ensuing year.
" The members present in turn spoke with true masonic feeling, and expressed sentiments that
proved the Alexandra Lodge meant to continue their meetings in good earnest."
In the following January Brother Garthwaite told the brethren that his election was informal, but that he would occupy the chair as Past Junior Warden and hold Lodges of Instruction.
A lengthy correspondence ensued between the Lodge and the Deputy Provincial Grand Master on
the state of affairs. In 1869 Brother Cabourn Pocklington, of Boston, was elected a member and
Master of the Lodge. Under this brother's able guidance and assistance, continued for several years,
Alexandra Lodge resumed its regular meetings.
The death of Bro. E. F. Cole is recorded in Jan., 1871. The brethren attended the funeral, and sent a
letter of condolence to the family, and record "how much we regret having lost the services of so old and valued a member of the Lodge."
October, 1871. Fraternal greetings from a native of Long Sutton, a member of a Washington, U.S.A.,
Lodge.
In 1874, Alexandra being again in difficulties owing to irregular attendance, it was decided to hold
the meetings at Holbeach.
At the Lodge held March l0th, 1884, being the twenty-first anniversary of the marriage of the Prince
and Princess of Wales, a letter of congratulation was sent to the Grand Master. In October, 1886, the brethren removed to their present place of meeting, the Bridge Hotel, Sutton Bridge. A Charity
Association in connection with the Province was formed during the Mastership of Bro. C. E. Ward,
and has proved eminently satisfactory.
There were 22 Lodges in Lincolnshire in 1887, with a thousand members.
It is recorded in the minutes of the Hundred of Elloe Lodge in Spalding that W. Bro. Vincent of Alexandra Lodge attended its Christmas Lodge in 1902 and gave Seasonal Greeting to the Master and Members of the Spalding Lodge.
Most of the above information is taken from a book called ‘A History of Freemasonry in
Lincolnshire ‘ held at the Library of Cornell University, Ithaca, New York and published in 1894.
Thanks to the financial generosity of Brother Garthwaite and his sister, the Masonic Hall was built in 1927. It is a fine building of undoubted quality and well worth visiting.
Today, Alexandra Lodge is in good heart, with 51 members, ranging in age from young men in their 20’s and 30’s, to a brother who continues to be a regular participant, aged 99!
If you would like to know more about Alexandra Lodge, or might like to become a member, please Contact the Lodge via the button below.
