A warm welcome from the group chairman

I am delighted to welcome you to the Warrington Masonic Group Website.  The oldest lodge here in Warrington has been meeting since 1765, but there is proof that Freemasonry was taking place in the town as early as 1646.  Elias Ashmole wrote in his diary on 16th October that year that he had been, ‘made a freemason at Warrington in Lancashire with Colonel Henry Mainwaring of Karnicham in Cheshire.’  This is the earliest known record of anyone being initiated into an English lodge and places Warrington in a unique position in the history of Freemasonry.

Today, there are in excess of 500 men meeting at the Masonic Hall in Winmarleigh Street to practise their Freemasonry in the various lodges, chapters and other orders.  There are 15 lodges, 5 chapters and 10 side degrees meeting throughout the year, all of which form the Warrington Group.  This in turn is one of 22 Groups within the administration of the Province of West Lancashire which ranges from Barrow in the north, Warrington in the south and as far east as the A6 road which runs the length of the county.

Membership is not restricted in terms of cost or occupation and is open to all men who are over 21 years of age, who share our moral and social values and can afford the modest annual fees. Lodges meet once a month, up to 8 times a year and have a break in the summer months.  In our meetings we learn about Masonic principles and their application in daily life for the betterment of ourselves and society in general.  Meetings are followed by a good meal with our friends and guests.  

Lodges hold socials for our enjoyment and to raise funds for national and local good causes. During the last 5 years we have made donations to 13 different Warrington charities, 7 Warrington schools, 5 Warrington churches, 8 local hospitals or hospices, 5 Warrington sports organisations, 13 national charities and 3 international appeals.  

The group holds an annual church service and a carol service; a dinner and ball; New Year’s Eve and St George’s Day celebrations; golf and bowling competitions and an evening with a sports personality and comedian.  These events when added to lodges’ own social activities amount to a large social programme for which we are grateful for the support of our wives and partners who play an important part in our Freemasonry.

The group also supports the Masonic Fellowship and Winmarleigh Luncheon Club, organisations meeting monthly to enhance the cultural and social lives of their members and to promote and develop personal friendships.  The Masonic Fellowship is open to retired brethren and their wives and to widows of brethren. The Winmarleigh Club is specifically for the widows of Masons to continue existing relationships and to encourage new ones.

We are lucky in Warrington to be able to hold our meetings and socials in such a well appointed building as the Masonic Hall.  It provides the perfect venue for Masonic meetings and various socials, dinners and events both Masonic and otherwise.  The hall is available to hire for weddings, conferences, meetings and social events during the day as well as at night. It has achieved awards for its standards of hygiene and the high quality of its catering.

I hope this has given you a flavour of Freemasonry in Warrington.  Should you be interested in finding out more about our activities please go to our Contact Us page.  We will be pleased to provide you with further information

Chris Eyres

Group chairman

of Masonic Lodges and Chapters

in the Province of West Lancashire

The Warrington Group

Warrington Masonic Hall

dates for your diary...

Optima Lodge 25-02-2012 Candlelit Dinner

Provincial Grand Lodge 09-03-2012 Grand Masonic Ball

The Warrington Fellowship 28-03-2012 Mystery of Magnets

The Warrington Lodge of Concord 31-03-2012 Concord Murder Mystery Dinner themes around a Cruise Liner

St Oswald Lodge 12-04-2012 Past Master's Night

The Warrington Group 21-04-2012 St. George's Day dinner

The Warrington Fellowship 25-04-2012 Fellowship Day trip 'Darwin's Nautical Delight'

True Light Lodge of Friendship 28-04-2012 Ladies Festival

True Light Lodge of Friendship 05-05-2012 Annual Gathering of the Lodges of Friendship.

The Warrington Group 09-05-2012 Group Dinner

Provincial Grand Lodge 12-05-2012 Festival Dinner

Lodge of Great Endeavour 14-05-2012 Lodge of Great Endeavour Centenary Meeting

The Warrington Group 19-05-2012 Giving Day

Provincial Grand Lodge 21-05-2012 Warrington are hosting Provincial Grand Lodge in May 2012

The Warrington Group 21-05-2012 Volunteers required to steward Provincial Grand Lodge

The Warrington Group 07-06-2012 Grand Lodge Tour and West End Show

The Warrington Group 14-06-2012 Golf Day

The Warrington Group 29-08-2012 Group representatives' meeting

Mersey Valley Lodge of Installed Masters 21-09-2012 Lodge Meeting and talk by W Bro Robert Lomas at Warrington Masonic Hall