A short history
The Formation of the Lodge
For a new Lodge to be formed, application in the form of a petition must be made to Grand Lodge. To every petition must be added a recommendation signed in open Lodge by the Master and Wardens of a regular Lodge and with the approval of the majority of the Brethren then present.
Further, the petition must have at least seven signatories. Each must state the Lodge in which they were initiated, all other Lodges they belong to or have belonged to and produce documentation showing they are not in debt to any of those Lodges.
Included in the full history are copies of documents relating to the Grand Lodge and original members.
History Timeline
October 1927
The Formation of the Lodge
For a new Lodge to be formed, application in the form of a petition must be made to Grand Lodge. To every petition must be added a recommendation signed in open Lodge by the Master and Wardens of a regular Lodge and with the approval of the majority of the Brethren then present.
May 1928
First Master
After the Consecration ceremony, the installation of the first Master took place. W. Bro. David Ibbett PPAGDC took the chair and appointed his officers.
Ceremony of Consecration on Friday 4th May 1928
The Pilgrims’ Lodge No. 5008 in the register of the Grand Lodge of England came into existence at the Ceremony of Consecration on Friday 4th May 1928.
April 1930
Land bought for new Masonic Hall
W. Bro. Strickland purchased a parcel of land on St. Mary’s Lane, Wrotham. He kindly donated part of the land to The Pilgrims Lodge for the purpose of building a new Masonic Hall.
February 1931
Furniture for new Temple
Members were encouraged to purchase a chair for the new Temple. Their name being displayed on a small plaque on the back of the chair. The cost £1-2-0 each. These chairs are still used at every meeting.
May 1931
Dedication of new building
The ceremony of Dedication of the new Masonic Hall was held on 1st May. This was led by The Provincial Grand Master, Lord Cornwallis who dedicated the building to Freemasonry, Virtue and Universal Benevolence.
October 1933
January 1940
The War Years
At the outbreak of The Second World War the Masonic Hall was let to the Kent Education Committee to serve as a school for refugees from Woolwich.
August 1946
Light and Sound
At an Emergency Meeting on 12th August it was agreed to accept the estimate of £146-8-0 for the installation of electric lighting. Two years later it was agreed to reinstall a telephone.
June 1958
Church service
The Annual Church Service was regularly held at the church of St. Lawrence, Seal Chart. The service was conducted by the Lodge Chaplain the Rev. A.S. Harryman, P.|P.G. Chaplain. Dispensation was given for the wearing of regalia.
January 1970
Going Decimal
The Lodge took the historic step to change the By Laws so that fees were no longer referred to in Guineas. As the country had gone decimal by then it was a change well over due.
February 1992
March 2015
Pilgrims Lodge 500th Meeting
Our 500th Pilgrims Lodge Meeting was held on Monday 2 March 2015
April 2018
New Banner
The original Lodge Banner of 1933 had got a little worse for wear. It had been refurbished once but was in need of more than tender loving care.
