History of Saint Mary Lodge 7898
After the second world war, Freemasonry experienced a dramatic revival. The King, George VI and his brother had been prominent freemasons. Membership of lodges grew and the Alexandra Lodge was no exception. So much so that the membership in 1960 (99) meant for any initiate would have to serve approximately twenty-years before he could expect to reach the Master's chair.
It was decided by the members of Alexandra Lodge that another lodge should be formed to alleviate the 'queue'. Several names for the new lodge were mooted, particularly the Garthwaite Lodge which was deemed unsuitable by Grand Lodge because he (Herbert Garthwaite) had not been a Grand Officer although through his and his sister's generosity, a magnificent Masonic Hall had been built in Long Sutton in 1926.
Members of the Alexandra Lodge set about forming the new lodge and at the meeting of the Alexandra Lodge on 5th December, 1962, it was proposed and seconded that a new Craft Lodge be formed at Long Sutton. The petition to the Grand Master was approved and the warrant was dated 13th March, 1963.
The Lodge was consecrated on 20th July, by the Provincial Grand Master. Many members of the Alexandra Lodge became founders and joining members but subsequently members of both lodges were only allowed to hold office in one lodge.
When the warrant was granted, the founders set about forming the ritual. The aim was to make it as different as possible from the emulation ritual used by Alexandra Lodge. The complete workings of Craft Freemasonry was chosen with additions, omissions and variations.
The older brethren endeavour to pass on to the junior brethren the traditions of the lodge of which we are all justly proud.
It was decided by the members of Alexandra Lodge that another lodge should be formed to alleviate the 'queue'. Several names for the new lodge were mooted, particularly the Garthwaite Lodge which was deemed unsuitable by Grand Lodge because he (Herbert Garthwaite) had not been a Grand Officer although through his and his sister's generosity, a magnificent Masonic Hall had been built in Long Sutton in 1926.
Members of the Alexandra Lodge set about forming the new lodge and at the meeting of the Alexandra Lodge on 5th December, 1962, it was proposed and seconded that a new Craft Lodge be formed at Long Sutton. The petition to the Grand Master was approved and the warrant was dated 13th March, 1963.
The Lodge was consecrated on 20th July, by the Provincial Grand Master. Many members of the Alexandra Lodge became founders and joining members but subsequently members of both lodges were only allowed to hold office in one lodge.
When the warrant was granted, the founders set about forming the ritual. The aim was to make it as different as possible from the emulation ritual used by Alexandra Lodge. The complete workings of Craft Freemasonry was chosen with additions, omissions and variations.
The older brethren endeavour to pass on to the junior brethren the traditions of the lodge of which we are all justly proud.
