How the University
of Durham Lodge was formed
"In 1903 a number of keen Masons, who were
graduates of Durham University, met to consider the possibility
of forming a Lodge in London. Some of them lived in London, others
came from different parts of the country but who would be prepared
to travel to London for Meetings. Having decided to proceed, W
Bro Frederick Spicer (later the first Secretary of the Lodge) called
a meeting at his home in 17 Wimpole Street W1 and it was decided
to proceed with an application to form a new Lodge, which would
be restricted to graduates, licentiates and those holding honorary
degrees in the University. The subscription would be 1 guinea per
annum, with 5 guineas for initiation, and 3 guineas joining fee.
35 Brethren signed the Petition to Grand Lodge. A charter was granted
2nd March 1904 by Grand Lodge and the new Lodge was consecrated
on 5th May 1904 at the Criterion Restaurant, Piccadilly W1 by VW
Bro Sir Edward Letchworth, Grand Secretary, after whom the present "Letchworths" shop
at Freemasons Hall is named. Sir George Hare Philipson, MA, MD,
DCL, FRCP was installed as first Worshipful Master.There 30 members
and 65 guests present. Probably our most famous early Worshipful
Master was Edward Shortt, MP in who was installed as WM in 1919
(and again in 1926 and 1927) - he was Chief Secretary for Ireland
in 1918 & then Home Secretary in 1919 in Lloyd George's Government.
The By-laws of the Lodge were amended in the 1950's
to widen the criteria for membership, due to declining numbers
after WW2. And now there are no restrictions on Membership, ie
you don't have to have any connection with the University of Durham
- indeed most present Members don't. However the Lodge strongly
welcomes all Graduates etc of the University, as Members or as
Masonic Visitors. For 34 years (1934-68) the Lodge had met at The
Comedy Restaurant, in Panton St, SW1, and after a number of changes
subsequent to this, moved to its present venue of Mark Mason's
Hall, SW1 in 1981. The Lodge celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1954
at the Criterion Restaurant, its 75th Anniversary in 1979 at The
Lancaster Gate Hotel, and its Centenary at Mark Mason's Hall in
2004."
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