So how many of you South Moltonians knew that there has been a Masonic Lodge in the Town for almost 200 years?
Before this Summer’s series of Community Open Days, the probable answer is very few. Freemasons’ Hall has stood at the junction of New Road and East Street since 1846, yet its plain and unassuming fascia belies the ornate and historic interior to be found behind the big Blue Door.
The first Masonic Lodge in South Molton was formed in 1834. For the first year of its existence it met in a pub called the Ring O’ Bells in Duke Street. The pub is long gone but the building remains. In 1842 the Lodge moved to The George where it remained until it relocated to our present building in 1847.
The cost of building the new Masonic Hall was £450 (£73,700 in today’s money).
This year’s series of three Community Open Days attracted around 150 visitors who were able to view the interior of the beautiful, atmospheric Lodge Room as well as to search through the Honours boards in the dining room which list every Master of the Lodge since 1834. Many prominent people in the town have been members over the years including several Town Mayors, there are many distinctly “South Molton” names among them.
One visitor had travelled all the way from Pontypridd in South Wales to visit us. Having seen our promotional posts on social media, Worshipful Brother Martin Tapp PPrJGD, a member of St Catherine’s Lodge No 9503 drove down the M5 especially to visit us.
Having family in South Molton, Martin has often driven past the our Hall and wondered what it was like inside. He was not disappointed, “It is magnificent” said Martin “…and well worth the journey”. We hope to receive Martin and other members of his Lodge as visitors to one of our meetings in the New Year.
We have also received several kind comments from members of the South Molton Community.
This series of Open Days was the brainchild of Lodge member John Burridge, supported by a team of enthusiastic volunteers.
” We are enormously proud of Freemasons’ Hall and of the restoration work which has been recently undertaken. We hope that by opening it up and sharing it with the members of our community we have been able to highlight Freemasonry’s role in the Town over the last 190 years“John Burridge
Freemasons’ Hall will be open again next year, so if you missed out this time, be sure to watch our social media for dates and times.