Grassendale Chapter No 4808 was founded in 1944, taking its name from Grassendale Lodge No 4808 which itself was founded in 1925. Grassendale is an old suburb of Liverpool, and its etymology is fascinating.
One of the earliest records mentions Little Gresyndale, which the Coucher Book of Whalley, describes it as Little Greysndale and the foss of Garston, in reference to the location of a friary of the Cistercian monks of Stanlaw, (also spelt Stanlow), which was close by in the 14th century. Stanlawe Grange is one of the oldest occupied buildings in Liverpool having been originally constructed in the 12th century, which is now part of a row of sandstone cottages diagonally opposite Liverpool Cricket Club.
The chapter meets in Woolton Golf Club, Doe Park, and has done since 2006, when lodges and chapters of the former Woolton Group had previously met at Woolton Hall and moved to the Golf Club when the hall was sold. Over time, the Woolton and Garston Group became part of the Mersey Valley Group and Grassendale Chapter is a proud member of that group.
At the April 2025 meeting, the chapter companions were delighted to welcome Second Provincial Grand Principal Andrew Whittle to the chapter, having been invested into this role in March 2025. Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, Robb Fitzimmons announced to the chapter that Andrew stood without. Stand-in first principal John Leisk, replied that the chapter would be honoured to receive him.
A short procession then took place, consisting of Provincial Grand Standard Bearer Mike Fox, escorts Robert James and Brian Boyle, Mersey Valley Group Chairman, David Atkinson and Second Provincial Grand Principal. Andrew Whittle. Andrew was conducted to the three principals, John Leisk, Stephen Cornwell and Christopher Lyon and John offered Andrew his sceptre as first principal. Andy commenting that he was content to watch and enjoy the ceremony of the chapter and returned the sceptre to John.
The next order of business was to exalt two candidates, under the watchful guidance of chapter director of ceremonies Peter Williams. The two candidates were collected by stand-in principal sojourner, Roger Boyle, assisted by Mark Edwards. The three principals conducted the ceremony perfectly and were complimented further by the exemplary performance of principal sojourner Roger, who carrying out the whole works, was a highlight of the ceremony. Roger has obviously studied the ritual and was warmly congratulated by Andrew Whittle later for his hard work. The exaltees, having been invested and rewarded as Royal Arch Masons, were then collected and the mystical signs were delivered by Mike Fox.
The chapter business being duly completed, the chapter was closed in solemn form for the last time at Woolton Golf Club. All lodges and chapters are leaving the Golf Club and locating to other Masonic venues. The companions retired to the dining rooms to enjoy dinner and continue the celebration of a double exaltation.
Winston Churchill’s famous Mansion House speech, in Nov 1942, sums up the situation perfectly: “Now this is not the end. It is not the beginning of the end, but it is perhaps, the end of the beginning”. Another era in the long history of Grassendale Chapter will begin with their new home at Garston Masonic Hall, and best wishes to them with their new beginning.
Story by Mike Fox.