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Article JUBILEE: WAKEFIELD LODGE, No. 495. Page 1 of 2 Article JUBILEE: WAKEFIELD LODGE, No. 495. Page 1 of 2 →
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Jubilee: Wakefield Lodge, No. 495.
JUBILEE : WAKEFIELD LODGE , No . 495 .
IT falls to fche lot of few Lodges to celebrate its jubilee and be favoured with the presence of the father and founder of it at the ceremony . This , however , has been the happy experience of the Wakefield Lodge , whose
Jubilee was most successfully celebrated on the 10 th , when Dr . Statter , J . P ., its founder , who is in his 88 th year , was present , and was the recipient of an illuminated congratulatory address .
The Lodge was opened by the W . M . Bro . George Carbert , there being about fifty Brethren and Visitors present , including the Officers of the Lodge .
Dr . Statter was escorted into the Lodge by the Past Masters and Provincial Officers present , the appearance of the venerable and respected founder of the Lodge being hailed with very hearty cheers .
The Worshipful Master then proceeded to present to Dr . Statter an illuminated address from fche Wakefield Lodge , on the occasion of its year of jubilee . Brother Carbert performed in a few well-chosen and appropriate
words , the duty of presenting the address on behalf of the Brethren of the Lodge , which tendered fco Dr . Statter their most cordial , affectionate , and loyal greeting on the occasion , and rendering their heartfelt thanks to the
Great Architect of fche Universe for His great goodness in preserving to them their venerable and revered father and founder . It pointed out that fifty years ago much and greafc service was contributed to Freemasonry in
Wakefield by the formation of a Lodge which at once became popular and distinguished , and which , mainly by Dr . Statter ' s efforts , has held high rank amongst Masonic Lodges , and from the first day of its existence
to the present time it had not failed to possess a home of its own in which the Brethren could meet ; further pointing out that , as Treasurer for many years , the founder of the Lodge accumulated funds , and in due
time his constant care and watchfulness over the best interests of the Lodge finally culminated in placing the Lodge in the proud position of proprietor and owner of the Masonic Hall in Wakefield . The Brethren marked with gratitude that although in his 88 th year , the interest
of the father of the Lodge had not waned , and . that the same great love for the Craft which prompted him fifty years ago to put forth his best efforts on its behalf drew
him into their midst , and they prayed that the Great Architect of the Universe might still perserve him , a noble example of all that was bright and best in
Masonry , a striking example of what can be accomplished by indomitable courage and a determination to do one ' s duty , and above all a pattern of purity and nobility of character .
Prior to the recipient of the illuminated address giving his reply , Bro . M . B . Hick P . M . read a historical sketch with regard to the Lodge , which had been prepared by Bros . H . Oxley and Ellis Pickersgill . It pointed out that on the 15 th February 1766 a Warrant
was granted , empowering the holding of a Lodge in Wakefield , to be called Lodge " Unanimity . " For a period of 78 years no other Masonic Lodge existed in the town ; but at the beginning of the year 1844 a petition was presented to Grand Lodge of England by
eleven Brethren , praying that a Charter might be granted for the holding of a Lodge on the second Wednesday in every month , to be called the Wakefield , and nominating Bro . W . Statter as the first W . M . A
Charter , dated 1 st March 1844 , was granted , and on Wednesday , the 10 th of April , the first meeting of the Lodge was held in the Masonic Hall , Thornhill Street , when Bro . Wm . Statter was installed W . M . On the 29 th of May 1844 the Bye-laws , which continued to be
in force until 1863 , were approved by the Lodge , and on the same date it was determined fco take the premises in Thornhill Street on lease for a term of seven years . At a Lodge of Emergency , held on the 26 th of
Leland in his tour of 1538 . The Rectory House was pleasantly situated , and was fenced in by iron palisades . The usual approach to it was through " Vicar ' s Croft , " the carriage entrance being out oi " Doctors Lane , " since named Vicarage Street . To give better access , however ,
August 1853 , ifc was unanimously agreed forthwith to remove the Lodge from Thornhill Street to a building which had been known for upwards of three centuries as the Rectory House , and which is mentioned by
Jubilee: Wakefield Lodge, No. 495.
to the Borough Market a portion of the Rectory was taken down aud a new street was formed , which was named Zetland Street , in honour of fche Earl of Zetland , who afc that time was M . W . Grand Master of England . A committee was appointed , consisting of the W . M . and
Officers of the Lodge , together with the Past Masters , to purchase the property , and to devise the best means of raising the money for the purpose . The property was purchased for £ 300 , of which sum £ 24 was contributed from the Lodge funds , and the remaining portion was
raised in shares of £ 10 each . Only two of these shares are still in existence , and are held by the Father of the Lodge . All the others have lapsed by the death of the holders . A further sum of £ 200 was expended in adapting the premises to fche requirements of the Lodge ,
and in furnishing and decorating . On the 14 th of September 1853 , fche Lodgo was held in the Rectory House , and continued to be held there until its demolition in 1880 . On the 30 th of September 1857 , it was resolved that the property should bo vested on behalf of the
Lodge in trustees . On the 31 st of December in the same year a deed was duly executed . Bro . Wm . Gillott was appointed hall-keeper in 1862 , and on the 14 th of March 1865 he succeeded Bro . John Beckett as Tyler , and faithfully served the Lodge until his death on the
22 nd of February 1888 , when his son , Bro . Herbert Gillott , was appointed in his stead . In December 1860 , permission was given for the Unanimity Lodge , No . 154 , which for some years had been in abeyance , to hold its
meetings in the Masonic Hall . By an order of the Grand Lodge , dated the 6 th of July 1863 , the number of the Lodge was changed from 727 to 495 on the roll of the Grand Lodge of England . Under a warrant
dated 12 th of May 1864 , Lodge Sincerity , 1019 , was founded , and an arrangement was made whereby that Lodge was allowed the use of the Hall . On the 27 th of
April 1870 , the Right Hon . Earl de Grey and Ripon , a member of this Lodge , was installed M . W . G . Master of England ; he had previously been appointed the R . W . Prov . G . Master of West Yorkshire , and was installed
at Leeds , on the 22 nd of May 1861 , on which occasion the sermon to the Brethren was preached by the Hon and Rev . P . Y . Savile , a P . M . of this Lodge . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , K . G ., was installed M . W . G . Master of England , in the Albert Hall , on the 28 th of April 1875 .
and fche following Brethren of fche Lodge were present at the ceremony , viz : —A . Goldthorpe , R . W . Micklethwaite , Wm . Wood , J . Tolson White , John Craven , Joseph Hartley , and Joseph W ainwright . A Provincial Grand Lodge was held in the Church Institution on
Saturday , the 25 th of November 1876 , under the banner of this Lodge , for the purpose of laying the foundation stone of the New Clayton Hospital at St . John ' s . The Lodge was opened by Bro . Sir Henry Edwards , Bart ., R . W . Prov . G . M ., and the Brethren having marched in procession to the site , the stone was laid by Bro . Col . J .
C . D . Charlesworth P . M . 495 , with full Masonic honours . For many years it had been evident that although the Rectory House possessed some advantages , yet it was quite inadequate to the increased demands upon its resources , and it was felt thafc in the interest of the Craft more suitable and commodious premises should
be provided . For this object the funds of the Lodge
were carefully husbanded , and in the year 1879 the sum of £ 304 had been accumulated . With this sum in hand the Brethren considered they were warranted in taking
active measures to provide the required accommodation , and accordingly , at a Lodge of Emergency held on the 22 nd of April in that year , it was determined to take down the Rectory , and to build upon its site a Masonic
Hall , and a committee , consisting of Bros . John Gill , W . B . Alderson and H . Oxley , was appointed to confer with the other Lodges in reference thereto . The proposal to
re-build the Hall was cordially received , and eventually an arrangement was made whereby Lodge Unanimity and Lodge Sincerity undertook fco pay for the use of fche new premises a yearly rent . Bro . W . Watson P . M .
154 was appointed architect ; , and plans having been prepared , an urgent appeal for subscriptions was made , which met with a liberal response , and the sum of
£ 354 7 s was promised . On the 9 th of April 1880 tenders for the work were accepted , amounting in the aggregate fco £ 1 , 265 , but this sum was subsequently
increased by extras to £ 1 , 558 17 s . Four days later the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Jubilee: Wakefield Lodge, No. 495.
JUBILEE : WAKEFIELD LODGE , No . 495 .
IT falls to fche lot of few Lodges to celebrate its jubilee and be favoured with the presence of the father and founder of it at the ceremony . This , however , has been the happy experience of the Wakefield Lodge , whose
Jubilee was most successfully celebrated on the 10 th , when Dr . Statter , J . P ., its founder , who is in his 88 th year , was present , and was the recipient of an illuminated congratulatory address .
The Lodge was opened by the W . M . Bro . George Carbert , there being about fifty Brethren and Visitors present , including the Officers of the Lodge .
Dr . Statter was escorted into the Lodge by the Past Masters and Provincial Officers present , the appearance of the venerable and respected founder of the Lodge being hailed with very hearty cheers .
The Worshipful Master then proceeded to present to Dr . Statter an illuminated address from fche Wakefield Lodge , on the occasion of its year of jubilee . Brother Carbert performed in a few well-chosen and appropriate
words , the duty of presenting the address on behalf of the Brethren of the Lodge , which tendered fco Dr . Statter their most cordial , affectionate , and loyal greeting on the occasion , and rendering their heartfelt thanks to the
Great Architect of fche Universe for His great goodness in preserving to them their venerable and revered father and founder . It pointed out that fifty years ago much and greafc service was contributed to Freemasonry in
Wakefield by the formation of a Lodge which at once became popular and distinguished , and which , mainly by Dr . Statter ' s efforts , has held high rank amongst Masonic Lodges , and from the first day of its existence
to the present time it had not failed to possess a home of its own in which the Brethren could meet ; further pointing out that , as Treasurer for many years , the founder of the Lodge accumulated funds , and in due
time his constant care and watchfulness over the best interests of the Lodge finally culminated in placing the Lodge in the proud position of proprietor and owner of the Masonic Hall in Wakefield . The Brethren marked with gratitude that although in his 88 th year , the interest
of the father of the Lodge had not waned , and . that the same great love for the Craft which prompted him fifty years ago to put forth his best efforts on its behalf drew
him into their midst , and they prayed that the Great Architect of the Universe might still perserve him , a noble example of all that was bright and best in
Masonry , a striking example of what can be accomplished by indomitable courage and a determination to do one ' s duty , and above all a pattern of purity and nobility of character .
Prior to the recipient of the illuminated address giving his reply , Bro . M . B . Hick P . M . read a historical sketch with regard to the Lodge , which had been prepared by Bros . H . Oxley and Ellis Pickersgill . It pointed out that on the 15 th February 1766 a Warrant
was granted , empowering the holding of a Lodge in Wakefield , to be called Lodge " Unanimity . " For a period of 78 years no other Masonic Lodge existed in the town ; but at the beginning of the year 1844 a petition was presented to Grand Lodge of England by
eleven Brethren , praying that a Charter might be granted for the holding of a Lodge on the second Wednesday in every month , to be called the Wakefield , and nominating Bro . W . Statter as the first W . M . A
Charter , dated 1 st March 1844 , was granted , and on Wednesday , the 10 th of April , the first meeting of the Lodge was held in the Masonic Hall , Thornhill Street , when Bro . Wm . Statter was installed W . M . On the 29 th of May 1844 the Bye-laws , which continued to be
in force until 1863 , were approved by the Lodge , and on the same date it was determined fco take the premises in Thornhill Street on lease for a term of seven years . At a Lodge of Emergency , held on the 26 th of
Leland in his tour of 1538 . The Rectory House was pleasantly situated , and was fenced in by iron palisades . The usual approach to it was through " Vicar ' s Croft , " the carriage entrance being out oi " Doctors Lane , " since named Vicarage Street . To give better access , however ,
August 1853 , ifc was unanimously agreed forthwith to remove the Lodge from Thornhill Street to a building which had been known for upwards of three centuries as the Rectory House , and which is mentioned by
Jubilee: Wakefield Lodge, No. 495.
to the Borough Market a portion of the Rectory was taken down aud a new street was formed , which was named Zetland Street , in honour of fche Earl of Zetland , who afc that time was M . W . Grand Master of England . A committee was appointed , consisting of the W . M . and
Officers of the Lodge , together with the Past Masters , to purchase the property , and to devise the best means of raising the money for the purpose . The property was purchased for £ 300 , of which sum £ 24 was contributed from the Lodge funds , and the remaining portion was
raised in shares of £ 10 each . Only two of these shares are still in existence , and are held by the Father of the Lodge . All the others have lapsed by the death of the holders . A further sum of £ 200 was expended in adapting the premises to fche requirements of the Lodge ,
and in furnishing and decorating . On the 14 th of September 1853 , fche Lodgo was held in the Rectory House , and continued to be held there until its demolition in 1880 . On the 30 th of September 1857 , it was resolved that the property should bo vested on behalf of the
Lodge in trustees . On the 31 st of December in the same year a deed was duly executed . Bro . Wm . Gillott was appointed hall-keeper in 1862 , and on the 14 th of March 1865 he succeeded Bro . John Beckett as Tyler , and faithfully served the Lodge until his death on the
22 nd of February 1888 , when his son , Bro . Herbert Gillott , was appointed in his stead . In December 1860 , permission was given for the Unanimity Lodge , No . 154 , which for some years had been in abeyance , to hold its
meetings in the Masonic Hall . By an order of the Grand Lodge , dated the 6 th of July 1863 , the number of the Lodge was changed from 727 to 495 on the roll of the Grand Lodge of England . Under a warrant
dated 12 th of May 1864 , Lodge Sincerity , 1019 , was founded , and an arrangement was made whereby that Lodge was allowed the use of the Hall . On the 27 th of
April 1870 , the Right Hon . Earl de Grey and Ripon , a member of this Lodge , was installed M . W . G . Master of England ; he had previously been appointed the R . W . Prov . G . Master of West Yorkshire , and was installed
at Leeds , on the 22 nd of May 1861 , on which occasion the sermon to the Brethren was preached by the Hon and Rev . P . Y . Savile , a P . M . of this Lodge . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , K . G ., was installed M . W . G . Master of England , in the Albert Hall , on the 28 th of April 1875 .
and fche following Brethren of fche Lodge were present at the ceremony , viz : —A . Goldthorpe , R . W . Micklethwaite , Wm . Wood , J . Tolson White , John Craven , Joseph Hartley , and Joseph W ainwright . A Provincial Grand Lodge was held in the Church Institution on
Saturday , the 25 th of November 1876 , under the banner of this Lodge , for the purpose of laying the foundation stone of the New Clayton Hospital at St . John ' s . The Lodge was opened by Bro . Sir Henry Edwards , Bart ., R . W . Prov . G . M ., and the Brethren having marched in procession to the site , the stone was laid by Bro . Col . J .
C . D . Charlesworth P . M . 495 , with full Masonic honours . For many years it had been evident that although the Rectory House possessed some advantages , yet it was quite inadequate to the increased demands upon its resources , and it was felt thafc in the interest of the Craft more suitable and commodious premises should
be provided . For this object the funds of the Lodge
were carefully husbanded , and in the year 1879 the sum of £ 304 had been accumulated . With this sum in hand the Brethren considered they were warranted in taking
active measures to provide the required accommodation , and accordingly , at a Lodge of Emergency held on the 22 nd of April in that year , it was determined to take down the Rectory , and to build upon its site a Masonic
Hall , and a committee , consisting of Bros . John Gill , W . B . Alderson and H . Oxley , was appointed to confer with the other Lodges in reference thereto . The proposal to
re-build the Hall was cordially received , and eventually an arrangement was made whereby Lodge Unanimity and Lodge Sincerity undertook fco pay for the use of fche new premises a yearly rent . Bro . W . Watson P . M .
154 was appointed architect ; , and plans having been prepared , an urgent appeal for subscriptions was made , which met with a liberal response , and the sum of
£ 354 7 s was promised . On the 9 th of April 1880 tenders for the work were accepted , amounting in the aggregate fco £ 1 , 265 , but this sum was subsequently
increased by extras to £ 1 , 558 17 s . Four days later the