Category: Information

Potted History of the Lodge

You can download the up to date file of the Lodge History by clicking here

History

Patron Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution. Patron Royal Masonic Institution for Girls. Patron Royal Masonic Institution for Boys. Patron Royal Masonic Hospital

GOLD CERTIFICATE ‘2000 FESTIVAL’. VICE-PATRON CHELMSFORD CATHEDRAL APPEAL

HALL STONE LODGE

We are a very friendly and sociable lodge, who are in 2018 celebrating our centenary year. We have many fun-filled meetings and various fund-raising events. These include ceremonies for the initiation of new candidates who want to become freemasons, Lectures, White tables, Ladies Nights, Cricket days, golf days, quizzes and other community based fund-raising events.

 Brief history. The Lodge of Old Friendship was issued a warrant on December the 8th 1918 and consecrated by the RW Provincial Grand Master Lord Lambourne on the 24th March 1919 at Freemasons Hall, Great Queen Street, London . We latterly met at the White Hart Hotel, Nr Market place, Romford. After various meeting places, we moved to Chingford in 1946, There to remain for the next 50Yrs. We eventually moved to Upminster and back home to Havering – The place of our infant nurture in 1999 – We are still there and still going strong.

Our Membership. As a Lodge which is 100 years old, we have many established traditions which we enjoy and embrace, these have been added to and embellished into rich traditions over the years. Our ages ranges from early 30’s to late 60’s – but we do have a few in their late 70’s. Our members  range across many different professions, ranging from, teachers, accountants, police officers, to French polishers and graphic designers, some are retired but all are an interesting range of people with a common interest in helping others, less fortunate than themselves. Most live in Essex, London, Some as far as Suffolk.

Meeting dates: We meet formally five times a year at the Upminster Masonic Hall in Deyncourt Gardens, Upminster, on the fourth Friday in January, March and October and the first Friday in May (Installation,) and ( carols) second Friday in December

The Lodge of Instruction is currently held every Monday from September to June at 7:30At Bretons Manor, Upper Rainham Road, Hornchurch..

Are you interested in joining our friendly lodge? If you are a decent, honest and trustworthy person over 21 are interested in helping your fellow man and have a healthy interest in learning about the history and mysteries of Freemasonry and wish to be a part of a worldwide fraternity whose members enjoy each other’s company- then please get in touch , we would certainly love to welcome you in: W.Bro Paul Towsey Lodge Mentor.

Which Masonic Jewel Should I Wear Today?

Full article available at the top link. Freemasons are Us  – https://freemasonsareus.wordpress.com/

Which Masonic Jewel Should I Wear Today?

By Bro. Mike Lawrence

I followed this meeting with several visits in quick succession and this only compounded that confusion and I therefore decided to research the subject of jewel wearing.  I will not go into the origin of jewels nor shall I make any claim that the information collated in this article is all correct, but least to say I have made prudent enquires from the Book of Constitution, Grand Lodge Officers and Senior brethren of my Province and have arrived at these short guidelines.

I must make it quite clear to all that this is not the definitive article for jewel wearing and I would always advise brethren to seek further advice as to the appropriate wearing instructions for the jewel that they have purchased or have been presented.

So! Here we go:

Past Master Jewels are worn at Craft meetings only for the duration of the period before honours are received. This jewel should not be worn with Provincial, London Grand Rank or Stewards regalia.

a2

Past Masters Jewel

Founder’s Jewels for Craft can be worn at Craft meetings; founder jewels for Royal Arch Chapters should only be worn at Chapter Convocations.

a3          a4

Craft and Chapter Founders Jewels

Permanent Grand Lodge Charity Jewels can be worn at Craft meetings.

Charity Jewels are valid for the year in which they were earned and can be worn at Craft meetings for that duration only. Charity jewels are not worn after the close of that event.

Festival Jewels unique to the Province which issued them, can be worn at Craft or Chapter meetings within that Province for the duration of that Festival.

a5

Quatuor Coronati Correspondence Circle Membership Jewel can be worn at Craft meetings.

a6

Lodge and Chapter Centenary and Bicentenary Jewels are worn by bona-fide members only and are considered permanent Jewels. The Chapter Centenary Jewel in not worn at Craft meetings.

a7     b7

Lodge and Chapter Centenary Jewels

Hall Stone Jewels are worn on a collaret by Masters of Hall Stone Lodges.

A8

Hall Stone Jewell

Royal Arch Chapter Jewels which are presented to all Companions of this Order should be worn at Craft and Chapter meetings, closest to the heart. No other Jewel should be worn to the right or in front of this Jewel.

a9     a10     a11

Companion, Excellent Companion and Grand Chapter Jewels

Royal Arch Past Zerubbabal Jewels are worn at Chapter meetings only.

                a12

Past Zerubbabal Jewel

Jewels struck to commemorate new Grand Lodges, etc., are generally only worn at Craft meetings within the designated boundaries of that area.

Other general points of guidance:

It is the common practice these days, because of spiralling costs, of having Past Masters or Past First Principal Jewels entrusted rather than given.  You should therefore be especially mindful of returning these jewels once promotion has been received. In such cases it is the general practice of having your name engraved on the Jewel.

Jewels from any other Orders are not worn at Craft or Chapter meetings.

Jewels should never be worn on collars.

Maybe it might just be time for you to review the Jewels you might be wearing and make sure they are appropriate for the meeting you are attending. It is always better for us to make those decisions and saves the embarrassment of being told when we are wearing something we should not.