Introduction

It is 1898; the Victorians have reached their zenith with two years before Queen Victoria dies. In the East, China and Russia still have Emperors; in the West a gentleman has built his first car calling it the Model F Ford thereby heralding the age of the motorcar. In the South the Boer War is just about to start in South Africa and in the North the great industries of northern England are churning out goods for the wealthy Victorians.

In London the suburbs are starting to spread with Hackney and Clapton developing smart houses for the prosperous merchants and professionals of the City, from these men the Acanthus Lodge was conceived.

In his supporting letter of 18th April 1898, Brother W R Jeffrey of Victoria Park Road, South Hackney states "the majority of the Brethren are engaged in the City during the day" - " thus the venue of the Great Eastern Hotel is eminently suitable". We shall remain there for 98 years. The Earl of Zetland Lodge 1364 had met at the Ship & Turtle in Leadenhall on 15 April and agrees to support the foundation of the Acanthus Lodge

Consecration

W/Bro W Finch is invited to become its first Master. The date of 4th October 1898 is fixed for the consecration, with Grand Secretary W.Bro Edward Letchworth performing the ceremony.

However, due to having to attend the funeral of a very old friend he is unable to do so and so the ceremony is performed by W.Bro F Richardson who was to have been Director of Ceremonies.

The Lodge is consecrated and Lodge business conducted with the installation of the Master and appointment of Officers. Proposals for 2 initiates and 3 joining members are agreed and so the Lodge is up and running.

They then retire to a sumptuous festive board - It has been hard work consecrating the Lodge!

The Boer War does not affect attendance. However, on 6 January 1903 the Lodge receives a set back in the form of a letter from the Board of General Purposes which states, "the introduction of Liquor, whether licensed or unlicensed, into the Lodge is strictly forbidden." I wonder who made the unlicensed liquor!"

Then in 1906 it held an emergency meeting to iniate a South African Railway man who is returning to South Africa. The Lodge is spreading its wings.

1906 Ladies Festival

Several attempts are made to hold Ladies Festivals without success until 1912 when one was held after a regular meeting and Grand Lodge gave dispensation for the wearing of Masonic Clothing and Jewels.

1914 - 1918

The Lodge continued to function during the 1st World War although meetings were popular but kept short. The in 1918 the 1st Master of the Lodge W/Bro W Finch dies.

Then 1920 starts a great period of giving, with the donation of 100 guineas to the Freemasons Hospital in Fulham Road and in 1923 donates 250 guineas over 5 years to the Million Fund which has been set up to provide a central home for English Freemasonry and a permanent memorial to Brethren who fell in the 1st World War.

In 1924 the Ladies Festival is still proving troublesome with a discussion as to whether dancing should be allowed but it was decided that previous programmes should be followed. In the same year Bro Burnett sent his apologies for none-attendance from Bolivia, South America.

In 1928 the Lodge qualified as a Hall Stone Lodge having made its last donation to the Million Fund and Masters have worn the Hall Stone Collarette and Jewel with pride and honour ever since.

Donations continue with the endowment of a Bed in the Freemason Hospital, to be known as the Acanthus Bed, and to The Royal Masonic School for Girls.

A Lodge of Instruction was formed in 1929 and proved to be nomadic, moving venue on numerous occasions. However it survived and is still meeting. The Lodge continued to work and donate until the start of the 2nd World War.

2nd World War

Having survived the Boer War, The Great War, The Great Recession of the Twenties, the Lodge now had to face the 2nd World War, which it did with distinction, although it only ever referred to it as "the present difficulties!" Its members ranged from soldiers to those in reserved occupations, fireman, railmen, home guard and civil servants. Attendance averaged 40 with meetings starting earlier to enable Brethren to return home before air raids. On one occasion the Hotel could not provide food and so they dined elsewhere. They even conducted ceremonies for other Lodges.

In 1940 a set of Gavels was presented to the Lodge by the Acanthus Lodge No.400 of Australia who then sent food and clothing parcels until 1947. The same year an 1899 iniate W.Bro Addington Hills was knighted.

The Lodge then went through a period of expansion, back to its pre-war levels. By 1957 membership was described as "63 full subscribing members and 46 country members, a total of 109."

The history of giving continued, with the Lodge becoming a Patron Lodge of The Royal Benevolent Institution in 1959. On 7 March 1967

The present Banner you see before you was donated and presented by W.Bro W B Rayner, designed and made by W/Bro Levermore and dedicated by W.Bro Rev A B Carver.

W.Bro H McWilliam wrote from Australian saying that he had landed in Melbourne and had presented the Acanthus Lodge 400 with a set of Gavels on the Lodge's behalf.

In 1983 due to their latest donation to the Royal Masonic Hospital the Lodge qualified as a Grand Patron.

The Lodge then continued to work regularly with many of its members receiving honours.

However in 1993 the Lodge once again displayed its indomitable spirit when inspite of the IRA bombing of Bishopsgate it met amongst falling plaster, rubble and dust. In March 1996 it was then dragged screaming from the Great Eastern Hotel after 98 long years. The Acanthus Lodge celebrated its Centenary in 1998 at Freemasons Hall in the presence of over100 Freemasons. After three years of travel the Acanthus Lodge has now settled at the London Masonic Centre in Clerkenwell Green just on the edge of the City of London.