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FREEMASONRY IN LANCASTER AND DISTRICT

In the early 18th Century, when the population of Lancaster consisted of just a few thousand inhabitants living together in a somewhat isolated but close-knit community, organised Freemasonry was gradually being established in other parts of the country and it was not long before a small group of men with like minds and high ideals decided to establish it here.

The first Masonic Lodge to be consecrated in the district was the Lodge of Fortitude in 1789 but which now forms part of the newly amalgamated City of Lancaster Lodge No 281 (amalgamated with John O’Gaunt Lodge No 3815 in 2005). There is no definite proof of how or why Freemasonry started and it was generally thought that the founding members were influenced by the many great construction works in progress at that time. The Shire Hall, Crown Courts, the Bridge over the River Lune at Skerton, as well as many other large private and public buildings were being constructed, employing a large number of operative stonemasons in the district. Further research has revealed links to ships, shipbuilding and its related trades as Lancaster was a major port in the late 18th Century. The original members of the Lodge of Fortitude had links to Union Lodge No 204 (now No 129) meeting in Kendal. Other Lodges in the area, at that time, were the Lodge of Amity No 224 meeting in Preston and a Lodge (no name) No 188 meeting in Settle.

Like Lancaster and its surrounding districts, Freemasonry has experienced many eventful times during the last two centuries, for the course of Freemasonry here is closely connected with the development and prosperity of Lancaster and its surrounding area. There are now a total of twenty one lodges meeting in the locality.

The majority of local lodges meet regularly each month between September and June at five Masonic halls situated in Garstang, Lancaster, Morecambe, Carnforth and Silverdale, and one meeting at a hotel in Pilling.

Each lodge, presided over by a Master and two Wardens, has between thirty and sixty members. All lodges are connected by a regulatory body for the Province of West Lancashire and are held under the auspices of the United Grand Lodge of England.

There are many social occasions organised by the Group and the lodges within it, at which wives, families and friends enjoy meeting and creating life-long associations in informal surroundings.

Similarly, care is taken to provide continuity of those friendships through the Masonic Fellowship which has three branches within the Group at Lancaster, Morecambe, Carnforth and Garstang, meeting regularly and catering for our widows, relatives, retired Freemasons, their wives and anybody with Masonic connections. Since inauguration some years ago it has proved extremely popular, very well supported and a real opportunity for friendly social gathering.

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