History Of Wrexhamian Lodge

The forming of a “Proposed New Lodge” was discussed by the founders on Sunday, February 15^th 1948, at the Bromfield Cafe, Charles Street, Wrexham. Present were :-

• W.Bro. G. W. Turner Pr.A.G.D.C.
• W.Bro. A. W. H. Johnson P.Pr.A.G.D.C.
• W.Bro. Capt. E. Davies P.M.
• W.Bro. N. C. Sunter P.M.
• Bro. Langshaw Rowland
• Bro. E. W. Davies
• Bro. T. K Lythgoe
• Bro. S. Kershaw
• Bro. H. Elwyn Williams
• Bro. S. F. Leedham
• Bro. Dr. A. Wesley Hill

Apologies were recived from ;  W.Bro. C. Baden Caldecott and Bro. W. H. Wingett. The Chairman W.Bro. G. R. Knox-Mawer mentioned in his opening remarks the reasons for the founding of a new Lodge in Wrexham, and went on to say, that it was to enable young Freemasons to reach the chair of King Solomon in a reasonable time, as their opportunity of doing so in the Lodge in Wrexham at the present time was very remote. He also strongly emphasised that we were in no way opposed to the formation of “Offa Lodge” whose petition had already been submitted to the R.W.P.G.M. It was felt that there was ample room in Wrexham for at least two new Lodges.

The Name:

At the original meeting it was asked for suggestions for the new name of the “Proposed New Lodge”, Many names were submitted, these were; “Wrexhamian”,”Grosvenor”,”Erddig”,”Good Fellowship”,”United”, and “Wats Dyke”. After much discussion it was resolved to provisionally adopt the name “Good Fellowship”. At a later meeting on Sunday February 22^nd,  A ballot was taken to finalise the choice of a name. The names mentioned were “Sir Leonard”,  “Acton”, “Dymock”, “Maelor”, “Grove Park”, “Grosvenor”, “Minerva”, “Goof Fellowship”, and “Wrexhamian”. The results of the ballot were “Wrexhamian” 9, “Acton” 6, “Sir Leonard” 5, “Maelor” 4, “Grosvenor” 1, “Minerva” 1, and “Good Fellowship” 1. This went to a show of hands between “Wrexhamian” and “Acton”.  The voting resulted in 15 for “Wrexhamian” and 8 for “Acton”. The Name “Wrexhamian” was therefore adopted by general assent.

The Crest:

The question of a suitable crest was discussed in the early meetings, and it was resolved that W.Bro. J Maldwyn Davies, W.Bro. L.H. Livingstone and the Secretary draw up some suggestions and submit them for the Lodges consideration. At a later meeting, the Secretary read a letter he had received from the Town Clerk of the Borough of Wrexham, expressing his willingness to permit us to use a portion of the Borough Coat of Arms in our Crest.

The Consecration Ceremony took place on Saturday the 30^th October, 1948. At 3:00pm in the Baptist Church Schoolroom, chester street, wrexham. After all the Brethren had signed the attendance sheets, they assembled in the Hall as W.Bro. R. A. Parry. “Worshipful Master“, Bro. T. T. Evans. “Senior Warden“, and Bro. R. A. Jones. “Junior Warden“, of the Bromfield Lodge No 4233 were led into the Lodge room and placed in their respective chairs. The Lodge was opened at 2:45pm punctually, and shortly after a Report was announced on the door of the Lodge and Bro. J. H. Williams of Bromfield Lodge acting as Inner Guard ascertained the cause, and informed the Worshipful Master the the R.W.P.G.M. Col Lawrence Williams accompanied by the Consecrating Officers demanded admission. The Prov.G.D.C. Called the Brethren to order and accompanied by the Deacons received the R.W.P.G.M. Preceded by the P.G.Swd.Br W.Bro. J. G. Humphreys, and followed by the Standard Bearer, W.Bro. S. Thornton. P.Pr.G.St.br, and W.Bro. O. A. Davies Prov.G.Supt.Wks.. The Worshipful Master handed the gavel to the R.W.P.G.M. Who then occupied the chair and ordered the Brethren to be seated. The R.W.P.G.M. Then appointed his Consecrating Officers as follows :-

• Dir Of Cer. W.Bro. Howell T. Lewis Prov.G.D.C
• Organist W.Bro. A. G. Camp P.Pr.G.W.
• Inner Guard W.Bro. Morris Owen Prov.J.G.W.
• Tyler Bro. T. H. Newy P.Pr.G.Tyler

The R.W.P.G.M. Then vacated the chair in favour of W.Bro. Arthur Hewitt. Dep.P.G.M. The Consecrating Officer. W.Bro. Crossley Colley then read the Warrant or Charter from the M.W.G.M. In which W.Bro. F. W. Diggory. P.Pr.G.W. Was named as the first Worshipful Master. Bro. Langshaw Rowland as Senior Warden, and Bro. Alfred Jones as Junior Warden. After the consecration Ceremony the R.W.P.G.M. Occupied the chair for the purpose on Installing W.Bro. F. W. Diggory, Master designate as W.M. Of the Wrexhamian Lodge No 6715.   After appointing and investing his Officers and conducting the business of the Lodge. A Charity collection raised the sum of £9.8s.0d. And one of the Brethren gave a further 12/= to make it up to £10.0s.0d. The Prov.G.D.C. W.Bro. Howell T. Lewis tendered greetings on behalf of the visiting Brethren. The Lodge was Closed in Due Form, Peace and Harmony prevailing.

26^th November 1948

The second regular Lodge was held at the Masonic Rooms, 28 High Street, Wrexham on Friday 26^th November 1948 at 6:00pm.

The business of the evening was to Ballot for two joining members. W.Bro. E. Davies,  and W.Bro. R. C. Roberts,  and to Ballot for and if approved Initiate one of the following. Mr. H. J. Bennet, or Mr. H. Powell. Both were favourable received, and Mr. H. J. Benner was duly Initiated.

(The Lodge then went from strength to strength, having cause on a number of occasions to shut down the membership list.)

W. Bro. A. Jones and Bro. W. D. Blythen presented copies of the Opening and Closing Odes.

Bro. J.A. Price gave a chest to hold Lodge property.

Bro. L. H. Livingston presented a Rough Ashlar.

25th March 1949 

Bro. R. C. Roberts made a gift of a Heavy Maul and Gavels

Bro. L.H. Livingston made a gift of a small copy of the 3^rd Degree Tracing Board

30th December 1949

W. Bro. J. Roberts proposed that our regular day of meeting be changed to the 2^nd Wednesday in the Month, seconded by W.Bro G.W. Turner. After lengthy discussion the proposition was withdrawn.

27th January 1950

Bro. E. W. Mossford made a gift of a Perfect Ashlar

29th September 1950

Communications from Grand Lodge.

Is is felt that with the end of clothes rationing, it is not unreasonable to hope that Dark Suits, Black Shoes, Ties and white collars will become the general wear for Masonic Clothing.

The board strongly recommends to Masters of Lodges, on whom the final responsibility must rest. That they should by example and encouragement, lead their Members to the Standard of dress compatible with the order.

30th May 1951

The Worshipful Master refereed to the Honour conferred on W.Bro. G. W. Turner on being nominated as Mayor of Wrexham.

25th January 1952

Communication from Grand Lodge

Masters of Lodges should have permission from 1/1/52 to order the wearing of White Gloves.

29th February 1952

The Worshipful Master Intimated his desire that the Brethren should wear White Gloves a the next and future meetings.

The Worshipful Master mentioned that at the next meeting in place of the usual Charity Collection, a special collection would be made for R.M.H. And suggested that the minimum contribution be Five Shillings.

31st December 1959

The P.G.M. Desired that every Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft be handed a Ritual of that Degree through which he has passed. A copy of both has been received from P.G.L. The Members agreed this practice be adopted in the Lodge. W.Bro. J. Roberts would donate additional copies.

24th February 1961

the 101^st Regular Meeting was a ceremony of Initiation.

On entering the Lodge the P.G.M. The Lord Kenyon occupied the Masters Chair, and Initiated the Candidate Mr Peter Kent.

The Charge in the N.E. Corner was delivered by W. Bro. Howell T. Lewis. Provincial Grand Secretary. The Lord Kenyon delivered the Charge after Initiation. The Worshipful Master resumed his rightful place in the Chair of King Solomon.

24th April 1962

A meeting was called for the 4/5/62 to discuss the issues regarding the new Masonic premises at Maesgwyn Hall. Mold Road Wrexham

W. Bro I. Glynne Jones proposed, the Lodge invests £100 in the New Masonic Hall Company.

27th November 1962

A letter for seating for the Dedication of the Temple in January 1963. Only 11 places were available and the Worshipful Master promised these would be issued on a fair basis.

27th September 1963

The 1^st Regular Meeting to be held at Maesgwyn Hall, Mold Road, Wrexham was the 120^th Regular Meeting of the Lodge

Officers of the Lodge were;-

• A.D.C. W.Bro. D.Ellis Williamd P.Pr.Dep.G.Swd.Br.
• Almoner. W.Bro. Arthur Hughes
• Organist. Bro. D. Trevor Evans
• Asst. Sec. Bro Gwylfa Roberts
• I.G. Bro Harold Robbins
• Stewards Bros; Ed Roberts, W. Sanders, Alun Davies, A. S. Jones, W. H. Evans, Bryan Jones, Percy Jackson, Syndey Carter, F.E. Parry, Ron Davies
• Tyler. Bro. H. Emlyn Jones. Prov. G.Tyler

The Worshipful Master expressed his own pleasure and that of the Lodge, on meeting for the first time at Maesgwyn Hall. He paid tribute to the Architect, Builders and the Directors of the Masonic Hall Company.

The main Labour of the evening was to Pass two of the following;

Bro. J.W. Roberts, Bro. J. M. Rowley, Bro. G.N. Peart.

The Charity Collection raised the sum of £4-2s-6d.

There being no further business for the good of Freemasonry in General or this the Wrexhamian Lodge in particular the Lodge was closed in due form and Solemn prayer peace and harmony prevailing.

31st October 1969

The 21st Anniversary Meeting of Wrexhamian Lodge No 6715

23rd February 1973

W.Bro. W. C. Cannon proposed to submit for approval a petition for a Royal Arch Chapter to be attached to the Wrehamian Lodge, This was passed and a document duly signed by the W.M. And his Wardens

28th September 1973

The Officers of the Lodge for the 25^th Anniversary were;-

• A.D.C. W.Bro. J. Ward
• Almoner. W.Bro. J. Ward
• Organist. W.Bro. Vernon Davies
• Asst. Sec. Bro Gwylfa Roberts
• I.G. Bro Ieuan Jones
• Stewards Bros; W. E. Marles, R. L. Marles, C. Cave, J. M. Rowley, M. Belton, A. E. Jones, G. R. Venn, E. J. Buckley, F. L. Williams
• Tyler. Bro. T. O. Williams

The Worshipful Master after opening the Lodge was informed by the Prov. G.D.C. W.Bro. R. Dalrymple, that the R.W.P.G.M. And his Officers demanded Admission. After the customary salutations, to which the R.W.P.G.M. Suitably responded. The W.M. Then invited the R.W.P.G.M. To occupy the chair of King Solomon, and officers of the Provincial Team to occupy the positions required for the ceremony of Passing of Bro. B. C. Jones.

• Std.Br. W.Bro. R. J. Roberts. Prov.G.Std.Br,
• Std.Br. W.Bro. J. A. Reynolds. Prov.G.Std.Br.
• Organist. W.Bro. G. O. Heald. Prov.G.Org.
• Purs. W.Bro. D.M. Roberts. Prov.G.Purs.
• Stwd. W.Bro. F.Bellis. Prov.G.Stwd.
• Stwd. W.Bro. T. G. Richards. Prov.G.Stwd.
• Tyler. Bro. T. R. Groom. Prov.G.Tyler

The Worshipful Master then resumed his rightful place in the Lodge, and the remainder of the Lodge business was continued.

The Charity collection raised the sum of £19-11p, and in accordance with a succesfull proposition this was made up to £100, and a cheque was then presented to the R.W.P.G.M. For Masonic Charity.

23rd February 1976

A Letter was received from the P.G.L. The appointment of a Charity Steward as an additional Officer of the Lodge.

29th August 1977

A Letter referring to a service to celebrate the 250^th Anniversary of the Masonic Province of North Wales, will be held at St. Asph Cathedral on Sunday 16^th October.

28th November 1977

The first residents move into Queen Elizabeth Court.

10th June 1981

A Quarterly Communication was held at Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London;

Year of;

• The 40^th Anniversary of the Accession of H.M. The Queen
• the 25^th Anniversary of the Installation of his Royal Highness the Duke of Kent. K.G. As Grand Master.

And

the 275^th Anniversary of the Formation of the Premier Grand Lodge, at the Goose and Gridiron Ale House in St. Paul’s Churchyard on 24^th June 1717.

31st October 1998

The Officers of the Lodge for the 50^th Anniversary were;-

• S.D. Bro. B. Williams
• J.D. Bro. J. Crump
• A.D.C. W. Bro. B. L. Williams Prov.G.Tyler
• Organist. W.Bro. C. E. Prior P.Pr.J.G.D.
• Asst. Sec. Bro. R. Kane
• I.G. Bro. D. W. Marles
• Stewards Bros; D. E. Jones, T. Ransome. P.K.Line. G. Williams. K. Denoven. E. Hardisty. Paul Marles.
• Tyler. Bro. E. T. Monk.

And so 50 years of happy Masonic memories in the Wrexhamian Lodge, let us wish our present and future Brethren the Success and Good Health of the Lodge for the next Fifty Years.

W.Bro. P. Marles. Prov.G.Purs. 1998