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Warrington Group of Masonic Lodges and Chapters Masonic Hall, Winmarleigh Street, Warrington. WA1 1NB Tel: 01925 651468 Fax: 01925 629902 IN THE PROVINCE OF WEST LANCASHIRE
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CHAIRMAN'S PAGE FREEMASONRY IN WARRINGTON
Warrington holds a unique place in the chronicled history of English Freemasonry. The earliest known record of anyone being initiated into an English lodge appears in the diary of Elias Ashmole of Lichfield. In an entry for October 1646 he wrote 1646, Oct: 16, 4.30 P.M. I was made a Freemason at Warrington in Lancashire, with Colonel Henry Mainwaring of Karnicham in Cheshire. The names of those that were then of the Lodge (were) Mr Rich. Penketh, Warden, Mr James Collier, Mr Rich. Sankey, Henry Littler, John Ellam, Rich Ellam and Hugh Brewer. (The surnames of two of the lodge members are of course familiar to local residents as the names of local districts on the outskirts of Warrington, Penketh and Sankey). Today, Freemasonry in Warrington is strong with the seventeen lodges all meeting at the Masonic Hall in Winmarleigh Street in the town centre. The oldest lodge still meeting in Warrington was founded in 1765, whilst the youngest was founded as recently as 1990. The Masonic Hall provides a well appointed venue for lodge meetings as well as for social functions and dinners organised by the members. Whilst each lodge is autonomous and entirely responsible for its own business and financial affairs, the Group system brings them all into the larger Masonic "family" of the Province. Each lodge elects a representative to the Group, which is presided over by a Chairman and his Officers. As a body, the Group organises events and social functions for the benefit of all its members and the local community. The benefit to members is felt in a wider circle of social contacts made between members of different lodges. This aspect is further demonstrated in the Masonic Fellowship and the Winmarleigh Luncheon Club, which are organisations meeting once each month and supported by the Group. They exist to encourage social aspects of members' lives and create good fellowship and to promote and sustain personal friendships. The Masonic Fellowship is open to brethren retired from full time employment and their wives, and to widows of brethren. The Winmarleigh Luncheon Club is for the widows of Masons. It enables existing friendships between the ladies to continue, and promotes the formation of new friendships. The benefit of Group activities to the local community is perhaps more readily seen in the donations of gifts to local charities resulting from many fund-raising events. In recent years donations have been made to local charities such as St. Rocco's Hospice, the Elderly Persons' Unit at the Warrington General Hospital and to the Warrington Crossroads Carers Scheme. Freemasons really enjoy being Freemasons, if you know anyone who is a Freemason, ask him for more information. He will give it willingly. Ian Boswell Group Chairman
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LAST UPDATED 20/8/07 |