Inception 1918, Consecration 1919, 1920’s, 1930’s, 1940’s, 1950’s, 1960’s, 1970’s, 1980’s, 1990’s, 2000’s, 2010’s, 2020’s, Andaz Hotel, St James Congregational Church, Documents
Friday, 14th February 1919, and great date for the lovers of the time but also a great day in the life of The Woodford Lodge No. 3903. As this was the date of the Consecration of the Woodford Lodge at the Grecian Temple, Abercorn Rooms, Great Eastern Hotel, Liverpool Street E.C.
Now known as the Andaz Hotel and within its walls lies a most wonderful Masonic Temple, this was our home for many years before we moved to The Southgate Masonic Centre in 1982.
However, before we get to the consecration of the lodge I would like to tell you how the lodge became to be and by whom, and give you some indication of what was happening at the time.
It’s now 1918 and King George V is on the throne, The Prime Minister is – David Lloyd George, and we are at war with Germany.
6 February 1918 – Representation of the Peoples Act gives women over the age of 30 the right to vote.
1 April – the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service merged to form the Royal Air Force.
17 July – Royal Merchant Ship Carpathia, which rescued Titanic survivors, was herself sunk, after being torpedoed by the German submarine U-55
30 August – there was a strike of 20,000 the London police officers who demanded increased pay and union recognition.
In addition, on the 11th November 1918 the Great War ended.
So where does Woodford lodge fit in:
The original minute book of The Woodford Lodge opens with an historical note.
It is in the handwriting of the first secretary Bro John Trevelyan Miller and it begins thus:
The idea of establishing a Woodford Lodge, was first discussed at the Anti-Aircraft station in Buckhurst Hill during early 1918 by W. Bro William Berry Ritchie (the author of The Woodford, The first 30 years) Bros John Trevelyan Miller, Ernest Heckford and Frederick W Hughes
(These are the four original founding members)
Vigil was kept from the summit of a church tower, St James Congregational Church, Palmerstone Road, Buckhurst Hill, watching for enemy aircraft, and by co-ordinating their reports with other stations in the area, the route of approaching aircraft was therefore traced by Defence Headquarters.
Moreover, this same church tower is commemorated in the crest of the lodge, which appears on each Summons, and lodge Banner.
In the beginning, the design was essentially to make it a Lodge of Special Constables, who had been involved with police duties during the Great War.
This original plan to form a (Special Constables Lodge) was soon expanded and inquiries and circumstances led to a wider conception. Moreover, a lodge of past and present residents of Woodford and the immediate neighbourhood was to be formed.
There where then further modifications proposed, and it was decided to hold the meetings in the City of London, rather than locally because it was thought that there would be a tendency for members to introduce friends who lived in other parts of the metropolis. A concept that the brethren also believe today as you will note further into this piece.
As the Kaisers war approached its end, and hope grew that the World would not again be put to the same agony, it was perhaps, hope and longing that provoked the thought of a new lodge dedicated to Brotherly Love, Relief & Truth!
The minutes from that first meeting of those who were to be our founders was held in the Great Eastern Hotel on the 8th of July 1918 where their number had now grown to eight.
Another meeting then followed on the 5th of September, where it was concluded that the lodge be called THE WOODFORD LODGE.
There then followed further meetings of the executive committee on the 12th of September, and again on the 18th of October whena formal application was sent to Grand Lodge, and on the petition to the MWGM it now bore 15 founder names, where W. Bro W.A Hudson was invited to become the first Worshipful Master.
It was also noted at this meeting of the executive committee was that gifts of thanks would be purchased, for the consecrating officers and it was decided to give them all Umbrellas as they thought they would be very useful.
The MWGM in due course gave his decision to grant a warrant for the creation of The Woodford Lodge, but noted that the four founder members, having been named on the petition where to be removed, as they were less than 4 years in standing as Master Masons.
Among these members was W Bro Fredrick W Hughes, who later went on to become the 1st joining member of the lodge, and as his title denotes, he became master of the lodge in 1923.
14th February 1919.
The solemn ceremony of consecration took place in the Grecian Temple at the Abercorn Rooms, Great Eastern Hotel, Liverpool Street, Bishopsgate E.C., more on this hotel and temple below, on the 14th of Feb 1919 where there 84 attendees, which included the consecrating officers.
Amongst their ranks were Grand Officers from America who had journeyed across Europe on a Masonic mission, and they were invited to witness the consecration of The Woodford Lodge under the UGLE (United Grand Lodge of England).
Worshipful Brother W. A. Hudson L.R was the Worshipful Master Designate for the consecration ceremony and was formally initiated the first Master of Woodford Lodge once the lodge had been consecrated.
The attached summons at the bottom of this page, in PDF format, for the consecration meeting, gives a detailed account of the proceeding for the meeting, and it would be foolish to try to give such details here so please download it and browse at your leisure. A link to PDF of Ceremony of Consecration can be found at the bottom of this page. Documents
Judge Townsend Scudder, the Past Grand Master of New York spoke when the brethren were at refreshment, he dwelt upon the great potentialities for good in the world that lie in ” Freemasonry and the masonic spirit “and the peculiar opportunities that exist at the present moment for the exercise by Freemasonry of increased benevolence to mankind.
The ship was afloat, but it was not long before it ran into stormy water.
Tuesday January 27th, on this date the first of many Ladies festivals were held at the Great Eastern Hotel in the Abercorn rooms. See attached document for this event. A link to the 1st Ladies Festival PDF can be found at the bottom of this page, Documents.
During this first year personal quarrel found its way into the lodge, which led to resignation of one of the founders, a second died and the first IPM retired!
The atmosphere in the lodge was uneasy, but by 1921 the membership had grown to 23 with 7 initiates and four joining members.
By 1925 only seven founders remained of whom 5 held office within the lodge, nevertheless by the beginning of 1926 the membership had risen to 40, but the country list was lengthening, which meant that an initiate of the lodge was already in the warden’s chair!
The influx of newcomers was steady, but the casualty list was longer!
The initial ambition of the founders was to be comparatively few in number, to know each other well and to work and possibly relax together with an intimacy and congeniality which is possible only where like meets like.
The cause of charity is and always has been well and worthily served by this lodge and not only to those of the lodge and craft, but also to the sick and needy who have benefitted by our benevolent fund.
Moreover, in these early years an instance of the lodge’s benevolence is given, when it became known to the master at the time that a Woodford widow, with a young son was ill and without means. The master mentioned this to the brethren during refreshment, and by the time, they were called from refreshment he was furnished with enough money to tide her over for the next 2 years.
The Lodge also took its part in the Masonic Peace Memorial, Movement which followed the Great War, at the call of the MWGM H R H the Duke of Connaught, the craft set itself to build and endow a new Grand Temple as a memorial to the brethren who gave their lives in the cause of Freedom and a Peace.
The Hall Stone Lodge collar bearing the golden jewel was placed about the neck of the master at that the time, during the quarterly communications held on the 7th of September 1927 in the person of a W. Bro George A Black.
It has since been the privilege of every master after installation to receive the jewel and to wear it on all masonic occasions.
Work In Progress
For the rest of the 1920s and early 1930 the membership ebbed and flowed, but by the mid-30s membership, had reached 50.
Tragedy struck the lodge in the 1930s when the first Master and the then Treasurer W. Bro William Alfred Hudson was lost at sea on the return from a holiday to the West Indies, it was reported that at midnight on the 22nd Feb 1930, he left his cabin fully dressed and was never seen again!
With the onset of the 2nd World War no meetings were held in the latter half of 1939
Work In Progress
In 1940/41 only 2 meetings were held in each year, but from 1942 and for the duration of the war meetings returned to a normal pattern.
W. Bro Sydney R Millidge who was initiated into the lodge in November 1936 and was master in 1943 dedicated the Banner, we still use at our meetings today, with the pinnacle tower to the lodge.
Work In Progress
The next notable event was on the 6th of October 1958 when our current VSL was placed in the lodge by the brethren of Woodford Lodge in memory of W.Bro Earnest J Baker LGR, who passed to the Grand Lodge above on the on the 4th of June 1958. He was initiated in 1930, was WM 1939/40, and Secretary 1945 to 1958, and at the bottom of the page in the VSL containing these details, it is written,
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them.
Work In Progress
The next major milestone of the lodge was on Monday the 3rd of March 1969, The Woodford Lodges, Golden Jubilee, in this year man landed on the Moon and Concord took its first test flight, the Microprocessor was invented, the Harrier Jump Jet enters service with the RAF, and the Prime Minister is Harold Wilson
The Woodford Lodges, Golden Jubilee, meeting was again held in the Grecian temple and present at the meeting where members who then went on to become cornerstones in the lodge in the next 40 years.
In attendance at this meeting was W. Bro Harry A Wise who was JD at the time and father to a Martin Wise, who joined The Woodford Lodge and went on to be Master in later years.
Present were 28 members of which nine were past masters as well as 43 visitor. W. Bro the rev A B Carve performed the ceremony of dedication, and as a mark of gratitude, he was made an honorary member of the lodge.
Work In Progress
On the 6th of November 1972 W. Bro Martin Wise was initiated into this lodge by his father at the Grecian temple.
W. Bro Tony House was initiated 3rd of November 1975, and went on to serve the lodge well and becoming Master in 1983.
Work In Progress
Moreover, we are at war again, but this time with Argentina!
There was also more turmoil in the lodge. Due to changes in fees and services provided by the Great Eastern Hotel, it was decided to move to Southgate Masonic Centre; however, there was much resistance to the move.
Work In Progress
Work In Progress
Work In Progress
Monday 1st April 2019, The Woodford Lodge Centenary Celebrations
Over the last 100 there have been 83 masters of the lodge no doubt you can guess why these numbers do not match, 9 brothers have occupied King Solomon’s chair twice and four members have occupied the chair 3 times, and during the Centenary meeting are all were present and in temple.
W. Bro Mark Fricker gave a most enlightening speech on the history of the lodge, most of which has been used above, at the centenary meeting and concluded with the words written in the book The Woodford Lodge the first 30 years by W. Bro William Berry Ritchie.
We are men of the world not the cloister. We meet to be happy and to communicate happiness, we are a race, which does not find it easy to expose the deeper feelings. In freemasonry can be found something which – but only if we choose – gives an outlet to those feelings and quickens them to the benefit to ourselves and the world in which we live. The Woodford lodge has not failed in these deeper things nor has it failed in practical well doing, so may it ever be!
A link to the Centenary Summons PDF and to the diner PDF can be found at the bottom of this page, Documents.
Saturday 11th May 2019 Ladies Festival, held at the Norfolk Royale Hotel, Bournemouth.
Work In Progress
UGLE Tercentenary Celebrations
Membership
Monday 19th December 2022 first meeting at Mark Masons Hall, moving from Southgate Masonic Centre after 40 years.
The lodge returning to a central London location is for the exact, same reasons that our founders decided to hold their meetings in London, rather than in Woodford, in the first place. Location, ease of travel for the brethren, as we are located across London and the Home Counties, hopefully this will lead to new membership.
Work began in 1877 to build the hotel, which was finished 7 years later in 1884, and was originally named the!
Before we go to deep into Liverpool Street Hotel, I first want to take you back a little further.
The year is 1247 Henry III is king of England, and the site on which the Andaz stands there would have been green fields surrounding you, and at this site a medieval Religious Priory, and a hospital was opened.
At some point in its early history, it began to acquire some of the characteristics of a modern-day hospital, admitting the sick and caring for them.
It was recorded that by 1403 it had in its care several insane men, and later in its history it began specialising in treating the mentally ill, the name of the hospital was Bethlehem which became known to locals as Bethlem or ‘Bedlam’.
The Bethlehem hospital was to remain here for over 400 years until 1676 when it moved to a new site in Moor Fields, as the site was too small and falling into disrepair.
Many changes happened in the area in the following two hundred years, but significantly by the 1800s work had started to build rail networks across England, one part of the new railway was laid linking cities and towns in the east of England which terminated here at Liverpool Street Station, and it took its name from the local road outside.
The road or street as we know it was itself only named in 1827, in honour of Prime Minister Robert Banks Jenkinson, who was the 2nd Earl of Liverpool.
Liverpool Street station was opened 1874 by the Great Eastern Railway Company. Not long after the opening of the station, it was decided that a hotel would be beneficial for their business customers, and so work began as mentioned earlier in 1877 to build the hotel
The original design of the hotel like several other buildings of the era was of the Gothic Revival style.
The hotels architects were brothers Charles Barry, Jr. and Edward Middleton Barry; they were the sons of Sir Charles Barry, who was the architect responsible for the design of the Houses of Parliament.
The original building was modified in 1901 with an additional section designed by Colonel Robert William Edis, and this new section was called the Abercorn Rooms.
This building was notable for two Masonic Temples—an Egyptian temple in the basement, which now sadly used as the hotel gym, the Grecian temple on the first floor.
The Temples where built in 1912 by Charles Barry junior on the instructions of Lord Claude Hamilton, the second son of James Hamilton, 2nd Marquess of Abercorn.
Claude Hamilton who was a chairman of the Great Eastern Railway Company and also Freemason. Together with family members and other directors who were also Freemasons, they commissione d the temples.
It cost £50,000 at the time, and it is estimated that today it would cost somewhere in the region of £4 million to build it.
Inside the Grecian Temple there are 12 types of Grade II listed marble, all from Italy, and the magnificent throne-like chairs are of mahogany, all this is offset by both Doric and Ionic columns,
The saucer round ceiling contains a blazing star centrepiece to which Jacobs ladder ascends a sky-blue background accommodating the signs of the zodiac
Above the throne is the Latin Avdi Vide Tace (Hear, See, Be Silent)
This Temple was first chaired by the Grand Master the Duke of Connaught, who was the third son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
The Grecian temple at the Great Eastern was at the time, one of the grandest Masonic temples in use.
Today the temple is a popular backdrop for events such as film shoots, fashion shows, product launches, and some very strange cabaret dinners.
Even now, in 2023, the Hotel and Liverpool Street Station are still making the news as there are plans for even more modifications to the building and the Station, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-65532636, we will have to see what the future holds for the Great Eastern Hotel, and its amazing Temples.
The Anti-Aircraft lookout station mentioned in earlier parts of our history is the tower of St James Congregational Church, Palmerstone Road, Buckhurst Hill. The square pinnacle tower commemorated in the crest of the lodge, which appears on the Banner, Summons, and the founder’s jewel, of which there were 15 purchased, is all that remains of the original building and is about 150 years old as of 2024, although the church is now gone the site is still used by the United Reform Church. The former Church itself was demolished in 1987, after many years about the health of the building.
A further bit of reading on the church can be located here, https://www.forestgroupurc.co.uk/st-james-urc-history.html. Along with a picture of the church found here, https://www.facebook.com/bhresidentssociety/photos/a.316306638732367/1390719747957712/
