Chorlton Mark Lodge No 394
Warrant dated: 27th September, 1888 Consecrated: 31st October, 1888
Subcribing Members: 22
Meet at Urmston Masonic Hall, Westbourne Road, Urmston
on First Wednesday in Feb(I), Apr, Oct, Dec
History of the Lodge
On the 19th September 1888 seven brethren met at the Bears Paw Restaurant, Liverpool and unanimously decided, it was very desirable that a Mark Master Masons Lodge should be held at Chorlton –cum- Hardy. Masonically, the most notable of the brethren was Bro.W.Goodacre, Headmaster of Talbot House School, Old Trafford and Provincial Grand Secretary of West Lancashire in the Craft from 1884 – 1918.
A Petition to Grand Lodge was granted and the Lodge was consecrated on the 31st October 1888 at the Masonic Hall, High Lane, Chorlton, by the R.W.Prov.Grand Master Rt. Hon.The Earl of Lathom. After the opening of the Lodge, a dispensation was read and sixteen brethren were advanced to the degree of Mark Master Mason. The Worshipful Master Bro. H. Marshall, was no doubt very busy that evening. A unique ceremony, but not unknown at this time.
Minutes of the early 1890's show that times were difficult as £10 per month was being repaid on account of a loan owing by the Lodge. It is interesting to note that Summonses during this period contained the times of trains from Central Station, 6-8, 6-12, 6-22, 6-50, and from Chorlton, 9-24,9-54, 10-14, 10-24. Tea was at 6-30pm and the Lodge was tyled at 7-15pm.
In 1930 Chorlton and Eccles Mark Lodges hosted the Provincial Grand Lodge at Stretford Town Hall. Cost of the meal was 10/6 including wine but there was
a loss of £4-17-10d on dinner due to excess wines and spirits being consumed.
1941 The Lodge moved to a New Masonic Hall on Edge Lane Chorlton.
1944 The Lodge became a Keystone Lodge on 3rd December.
1953 Eleven members of the Lodge became founders of Shepherd Eastwood Mark Lodge.
1988 The Centenary meeting took place on the 31st October.
2005 The Lodge moved to its present venue of Urmston Masonic Hall.
2007 February, The Lodge was honoured by the first visit of R.W. Prov. Grand Master Bro. Peter Connolly, having been Installed in January 2007.
