The London Lodge No.108

(English Constitution)
Hall Medal A.D.1781
Hall Stone Jewel A.D.1923

The lodge meets on the Third Fridays in January and March (Installation) and the First Fridays in May, October and December

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Welcome To London Lodge 108

Welcome and thank you for visiting our website which is intended for members of The London Lodge, Masons who may wish to visit or join our Lodge, men who may wish to become Masons, as well as for the casual visitor.

Please contact us if we can assist in any way.

A little bit about The London Lodge

London Lodge was founded under Warrant No.254, dated the 16th of January 1760, aboard HMS Vanguard in Portsmouth Harbour.   We were the first English Lodge established aboard a Man of War.

Vanguard had recently returned to take on stores after her successful part in the Battle of Quebec (Plains of Abraham) before returning to the Americas during the Seven Years War
Our Founding Master was Thomas Dunckerley, Vanguard’s Master Gunner, an illegitimate son of King George ll, later to be appointed Provincial Grand Master for several Masonic Provinces in England.
In 1762 the Lodge removed to HMS Prince, in 1768 to The Queen of Bohemia's Head in Wych Street, London and thence in 1772 to The London Coffee House (now Ye Olde London) in Ludgate Hill, from which we take our name.
After many changes of Lodge Warrant Number and numerous different venues our members, drawn from many walks in life, now meet and dine, in full regalia, at Mark Masons' Hall.

Robert J Percival SLGR

Master 1988 & 2014

What is Freemasonry?

© United Grand Lodge of England

Freemasonry means different things to each of those who join. For some, it’s about making new friends and acquaintances. For others it’s about being able to help deserving causes – making a contribution to family and society. But for most, it is an enjoyable hobby.

Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest and largest non-religious, non-political, fraternal and charitable organisations. It teaches self-knowledge through participation in a progression of ceremonies. Members are expected to be of high moral standing and are encouraged to speak openly about Freemasonry. The following information is intended to explain Freemasonry as it is practised under the United Grand Lodge of England, which administers Lodges of Freemasons in England and Wales and in many places overseas.

Freemasonry is a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values. Its members are taught its principles (moral lessons and self-knowledge) by a series of ritual dramas – a progression of allegorical two-part plays which are learnt by heart and performed within each Lodge – which follow ancient forms, and use stonemasons’ customs and tools as allegorical guides.

Freemasonry instils in its members a moral and ethical approach to life: its values are based on integrity, kindness, honesty and fairness. Members are urged to regard the interests of the family as paramount but, importantly, Freemasonry also teaches concern for people, care for the less fortunate and help for those in need.


Charity

From its earliest days, Freemasonry has been concerned with the care of orphans, the sick and the aged. This work continues today.

In addition, large sums are given to national and local charities.

Our Hall Medal

Suspended from our Master’s Square is The Hall Medal, one of only five such that are known to have survived time and circumstances from an original issue of over one hundred.

It was awarded to the London Lodge in 1781 in recognition of the Lodge’s financial assistance towards the first Freemasons’ Hall in Great Queen Street.

The Minutes of the (Moderns) Grand Lodge for June 21st, 1779 record:  “That a subscription be entered of a sum not less than £25 each to be lent to the Society without interest upon an engagement of the Grand Lodge to pay off the debt in equal proportion, and at such times as the Hall Fund will admit, but that Grand Lodge shall be obliged to make a dividend whenever the cash in hand will amount to £20 per cent, upon the money advanced.  That as a mark of distinction for the service thus rendered, by relieving the Society from the annual payment of a large sum for interest upon the present debt, each subscription shall be complemented with a Medal of such form and value with a motto suitable for the occasion; and that the names of the subscribers shall be enrolled in the books of the Grand Lodge as an honourable testimony of the services: and if any Lodge shall subscribe to this plan, a like Medal shall be presented to be ever-after worn by the Master for the time Being.”

The Minutes of London Lodge for November 6th, 1781 record:  “The R.W.M. Bro. Berkeley G. Treas presented an Emblematical Medal from the Grand Lodge as a testimony of Gratitude to this Lodge for the loan of £25 towards raising the sum of £2,000.”

The loan was later converted to a gift to Grand Lodge.  Until the Union of the two Grand Lodges in 1813, the possession of this medal, worn on a white ribbon around the neck, entitled a Brother, not being a Master, Past-Master or Warden, to attend meetings of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons in England (Moderns).

It is recorded in our Minutes that Brethren were regularly appointed to exercise this privilege.

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Become a Member?

 

If you are already a mason, you will be most welcome to visit us and if you would like to join a London Lodge, please consider joining The London Lodge.

If you are interested in becoming a mason, we suggest that you first talk to a family member or some other trusted person you know to be a Freemason, who will be able to point you in the best direction.

If you don't know any Freemasons and you would like to join a London Lodge, please get in touch, telling us a little about yourself.  We will arrange an informal meeting for us to find out something about you and for you to discover more about us.

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