On Saturday 4th July, the Lodge of Antiquity No.146 celebrated its Semiquincentenary with a special meeting at Bolton Masonic Hall, marking exactly 250 years since the Lodge was consecrated on the 4th July 1776.
The Lodge was honoured by the attendance of the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Robert Ian Frankl, together with the Right Worshipful Junior Grand Warden, Graham Redman. They joined members of the Lodge, visiting brethren and distinguished guests for an evening celebrating one of the most significant milestones in the Lodge’s long history.
A particularly memorable moment during the meeting came when the Provincial Grand Master promoted WBros John Cocking and Lawrence Yarwood to the rank of Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden. The promotions recognised their considerable service to Lodge of Antiquity and to Freemasonry more widely.
The meeting also included two orations reflecting upon the Lodge’s history and the significance of its 250th anniversary. WBro Shaun Higson, Lodge Secretary, presented an account of the Lodge’s development from its earliest years, while WBro Christopher Stokes, Provincial Grand Chaplain, considered the wider historical context of 1776 and the enduring principles associated with a Jubilee celebration.
Lodge of Antiquity was originally warranted as Lodge No.196 by the Grand Lodge of England according to the Old Institutions, commonly known as the Ancients Grand Lodge. This heritage remains an important part of the Lodge’s identity, reflected in its distinctive Atholl traditions and the unique ritual still practised by its members.
The Lodge first met at the Fox Inn in Leigh before moving between a number of inns and meeting places in Bolton. These included the Crown Inn, the Black Horse Inn, the Weavers Arms, the Four Horseshoes and the Rising Sun. Following the union of the Ancients and Moderns Grand Lodges in 1813, the Lodge was renumbered several times before becoming Lodge of Antiquity No.146 in 1863.
In 1887, the Lodge moved to the site of what is now Bolton Masonic Hall, establishing the home with which it remains closely associated today.
Throughout its history, the Lodge has survived periods of social upheaval, two World Wars and considerable changes within both society and Freemasonry. It also maintained an early connection with the Royal Arch through the Chapter of Melchizedec and was awarded the rare Angels’ Certificate in recognition of its charitable contribution.
The anniversary meeting provided an opportunity to recognise the generations of Freemasons who have sustained the Lodge during its 250-year history. It also celebrated the work of its present members, who continue to preserve its traditions while securing its future.
Following the formal proceedings, brethren and guests enjoyed an excellent Social Board, bringing the celebrations to a fitting conclusion. The afternoon combined history, fellowship and recognition, making it a memorable occasion for Lodge of Antiquity and for Freemasonry across East Lancashire.
As the Lodge begins the next chapter of its history, its Semiquincentenary stands as a remarkable testament to 250 years of continuity, service and Masonic fellowship.