The Origins
St Augustine Lodge, No. 972 (originally 1274) was consecrated 3rd November 1863 and was founded by a number of the Brethren from The United Industrious Lodge, No. 31. The consecration was performed by Bro John Savage in the presence of the Provincial Grand Master, Viscount Holmsdale MP. Bro Alfred Cooley was installed in the chair, so becoming the first Worshipful Master of The St Augustine Lodge. The ceremony also included the initiation of 7 new members with a Grand Banquet following at the Corn Exchange.
The 7 initiates are recorded as:
- Thomas James Usher (24) of Deal, Agent
- William Henry Best (34) of Deal, Grocer
- William Jordan (39) ofCanterbury, Engineer
- Herbert E. Beer (31) of Canterbury, Brewer
- Robert Blake (39) of Canterbury, Grocer
- William Davey (46) of Canterbury, Private
- Henry Hart (30) of Canterbury, Pawnbroker (who later went on to become Mayor of Canterbury)
An extract from the Kentish Gazette on the 10th November 1863 reported the ceremony.
"FREEMASONRY IN CANTERBURY
The ceremony of consecrating a new Lodge under the title of the Saint Augustine Lodge No. 972 took place at Canterbury on Tuesday, the Brethren of the previously existing Lodge Ancient Free Loyal and Accepted Masons No. 31, having generously placed at the disposal of the new Lodge all their furniture and paraphernalia.
The ceremony took place at the Freemasons’ Hall, St. Margaret’s Street, the Provincial Grand Master (Viscount Holmesdale, M.P.) being present. The proceedings having being opened, the Warrant of the Grand Lodge authorising the constitution of the Lodge was read, and this august and solemn ceremony of consecration was performed by Brother Savage with the assistance of the principal Brethren present, not the least important of which was a remarkably eloquent oration from Brother the Reverend W. A. Hills, of St. Peter’s, Maidstone, the Provincial Grand Chaplain of Kent. The impressive ceremony of installation followed and Brother Alfred Cooley, having been Masonically placed in the chair, his various assistants and junior officers were installed. The W.M. then initiated seven candidates and the Lodge closed in due form.
A Grand Banquet was afterward held in the Corn Exchange."
Initially, the Lodge met at the Brewers Arms in Northgate, before transferring to the Guildhall Hotel in 1870. However, following the consecration of the Royal Military Lodge No. 1449 three years later it quickly became apparent that new dedicated premises would be needed to serve all three Canterbury lodges. 38 St Peters Street was chosen as the new venue. The first meeting that took place at this new temple was 14th November 1878 at which Bro J.F. Couzens was installed as the Worshipful Master. On the 4th March 1880, the corner stone was laid for the new Masonic Temple at 38 St Peters Street, with the consecration and dedication taking place on the 22nd June in the presence of the Provincial Grand Master, Viscount Holmesdale M.P.
A New Lodge
In 1884, a petition was raised by St Augustine Lodge members to hold a new lodge in Herne Bay. This petition was duly passed and Warranted and 15th July 1885 the Ethelbert Lodge No. 2099 was consecrated. It had been decided at a Lodge meeting in the previous year that all surplus furniture from the St Augustine Lodge would be loaned to the new Herne Bay Lodge for the period of one year. To this day, brethren from both Lodges enjoy a warm relationship and attend each others ceremonies.
Jubilee Year
In 1913, the St Augustine Lodge celebrated its Jubilee year with Bro G. Andrews being installed as Worshipful Master. The ceremony took place in the presence of the Provincial Grand Master, the Right Worshipful Brother Fiennes Stanley W. Cornwallis. Lord Cornwallis was the Provincial Grand Master for Kent from 1905 to 1935 starting a family connection that lasts to this day. His son Col. Wykeham Stanley Cornwallis continued the tradition becoming the Provincial Grand Master in 1935, overseeing the division of the Province into two Provinces (East Kent & West Kent) in 1973. Lord Cornwallis also had strong links with The University of Kent holding the role of Pro-Chancellor from 1960 to 1971. Such is the admiration for this man that a large section of the University's campus is dedicated to him.
The World Wars
1914 saw dark times with the start of the First World War and a number of the brethren from St Augustine Lodge and other Canterbury Lodges signed up to fight in Europe. Those Brethren remaining at home continued to hold regular meetings raising charitable funds for both the Prince of Wales Fund and the Provincial Grand Benevolent Fund to aid those affected by the war. In September 1939,the outbreak of the Second World War proved more disruptive to the St Augustine Lodge with a direction from the Grand Lodge that all meetings should be suspended. However, meetings were resumed in January 1940 with Bro. F Staniland being installed as Worshipful Master. During the war years Canterbury suffered major bombing damage with much of the city centre having to be rebuilt in the following years. St Augustine Lodge continued to hold regular meetings and Lodge of Instruction meetings throughout these times, a testament to the morale of the Brethren involved. On one such occasion, a brother whilst reciting a charge continued without pause or hesitation whilst bombs were falling just outside.
Another St Augustine Lodge
1948 saw happier times at the lodge with a meeting on the 19th May including guests from the newly created St Augustine Lodge No. 6273 from London in attendance. To mark this special occasion the Brethren of No. 6273 presented St Augustine Lodge No. 972 with a 'beautiful red plush velvet cushion embroided on the fall with the name Saint Augustine Lodge No. 927'. This cushion is still in use today supporting the Volume of the Sacred Law in the Temple. Each year Brethren from both lodges continue to maintain these strong links with visits and regular communication.
More history will appear here soon... |
