Introduction and Thanks
This article is reproduced in part from a booklet produced to celebrate the Lodge’s 50th anniversary in 1997. Thanks to W.Bro. Jim Ditchfield for his work at the time.
This short historical record is dedicated to the 25 good and true Masons who were the foundation members of the Lodge. Without them and their vision and dedication to the cause of Freemasonry in general, none of this this would have come to pass.
Constitution and Dedication
An Occasional Communication of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Down was held in the Masonic Hall, Hardford Place, Newtownards on Saturday, 16th August 1947 at 3:00pm. The purpose was to constitute and dedicate The Scrabo Masonic Lodge, No.714. Rt Wor. Bro. Sir William Robinson, Deputy Provincial Grand Master, conducted the ceremony under the direction of W Bro. G Kiley, Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies. The Provincial Grand Wardens declared the Scrabo Masonic Lodge to be at labour and the Lodge was saluted for the first time.
Foundation Members and Officers
- James F Jardine Worshipful Master
- Adam H Jardine Senior Warden
- Robert Houston Junior Warden
- A Gunning Maxwell Treasurer
- Hugh McDonald Secretary
- Robert Orr Director of Ceremonies
- Hugh R Warnock Chaplain
- Thomas W Orr Senior Deacon
- William M McClements Junior Deacon
- William I McGorman Inner Guard
John Stewart, James Filson, William Orr, John Warden, Angus Jardine, W James McDonald, Charles Maxwell, James McKay, Alex Snodden, John McDonald, Robert Woods, Norman Nevin, William H. McBratney, David MClements, Fergus Jardine.
Lodge Stated Communications
The first Stated Communication of the Lodge was held on Friday 26th September 1947, at 7:30pm in the Masonic Hall Hardford Place, Newtownards. The Lodge met (and continues to meet), on the 4th Friday of each month, except for July and August each year until 1959. At this time the June Stated Communication was removed reducing our meetings to 9 per year.
While meeting in the Masonic Hall, Hartford Place, the Lodge was the tenant of Union Star Masonic Lodge No.198. The Trustees and 3 Principal Officers of 198 met in May 1947 and agreed the princely fee of £1 per meeting, plus 5 shillings for the provision of a Tyler. By 1980 the rent had increased to £12.50 per meeting. This was the last full year that rent was paid to 198 for the use of their hall. By 1981 the Lodge was paying a levy for the newly developed hall in Regent Street, in preparation for Scrabo’s move to the Regent Street Hall. The meeting of the Lodge on Friday 28th May 1982, was the final meeting in Hartford Place. The Lodge has sat in Regent Street Masonic Hall since that date.
Masonic Church Service
The Lodge was responsible for the organisation of a Masonic Church Service which was held on the 6th May 1973 to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Lodge’s foundation. The Service was held in Newtownards Methodist Church and was conducted buy Rev J M Armstrong. The Provincial Grand Master, Rt Wor Bro H Stewart, and the District Deputy Grand King, Rt Ex Comp R J Walker, read the lessons.
Membership
The Lodge has steadily grown over the years. The initial 25 foundation members grew to a peak of 73 members in 1970, was reduced to 58 brethren in 1997 when we celebrated our 50th Anniversary. As of December 2017, we have 42 members on our register. Despite the ups and downs of membership, the Lodge represents over 70 years of continuous working.
The Lodge has always had a strong tradition of Family Membership. The founding members included multiple members of the Jardine, McDonald, Orr and McClements families. At one stage in the late 1990’s there were 5 separate Father and Son(s) families represented in the Lodge.
The front cover of the booklet used at the Constitution Meeting and the summons from Provincial Grand Lodge to attend the meeting.
Brethren of the Lodge in attendance to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Lodge, September 1997.
Scrabo Masonic Lodge 714 