Greville Lodge - History

Our History

Summary

On the 29th September 1924, Worshipful Master Bro. Thomas Clutton Salt-Ratcliff of Shakespeare Lodge (284) proposed the sponsoring of a new lodge.

A petition was made to Grand lodge on 16th May 1925 for the new lodge. This was to be called "Greville Lodge".

The first (consecration) meeting was held on Tuesday 26th November 1925. Subsequently a 'Warrant of Constitution' was issued.

The first committee meeting was held on 14th Dec 1925. The first regular meeting on Friday 15th January 1926, the 3rd Friday being the day authorised by the Warrant.

In the September 1928 meeting the bylaws were changed so that: Meetings were held on the 3rd Thursday (J, F, M, A, S, O), Committee meetings held on the preceding Fridays and Lodge of Instruction held on the subsequent Fridays, all months excluding Aug and Dec - - This tradition continues to this day.

Early Meetings were held at 3, High Street Warwick. In 1962 these moved to 23, High Street, Warwick. 'Alderson House' our current location.

Clearly the founders wished to identify the Lodge with the foremost family in Warwick, and the name can therefore be traced back to Sir Fulke Greville, 1st Lord Brook (1554-1628).

Click here for more information of Sir Fulke Greville

Sir Fulke Greville, 1st Lord Brook (1554-1628)

In April 2009 Greville Lodge will celebrate its 600th meeting, some 83 years after its original meeting - the Loge is in excellent shape and we look forward to the next 83 years!

Early events

Greville started with just 5 Past Masters and 14 other Brethren as per the names on the petition (see link).

However at the first regular meeting there were 7 joining members, one of whom was Canon HA Haydon, who was immediately invested into the office of Chaplain. He later became the first joining member (non-petition) to occupy the Masters chair in 1933.

Also at the first regular meeting one Tom Sykes was initiated, one of 5 initiates for that first Masonic year.

We are indebted to Shakespeare lodge for not only sponsoring Greville but for being able to use the property of 3, High Street, Warwick on very favourable terms. The costs were 30 Shillings per member up to a maximum of £35/pa for the First & Second years, rising to £50 for years Three, Four and Five. These included all usage, heating & lighting.

On payment of a proportion of their wage Greville Lodge also secured the services of Bro. Tom Pantry as Tyler and his wife as Cook.

At the committee meeting on 14th May 1926 approval was made for the purchase of: 2 Ballot boxes & 100 balls @ £3 0s 5d. The Grand Lodge book of Constitutions @ 9s 0s 6d. and a frame for the Warrant @ 13s 0s 6d. All of which are still in general use today.

On the completion of his year in office, the Master is presented with a 'Past Masters jewel'. Until 1936 these were made of Gold, but increased costs forced their change to Silver, which at the time was only £7.

In 1965 the Lodge received the gift of a new Organ from W.Bro HE Billington. Its replacement is in use by all Lodges who meet at Alderson house.

During the 50th Anniversary Installation meeting Greville was delighted to receive an engrave Silver Salt Cellar from our 'mother' lodge, Shakespeare. At the same meeting W.Bro. H Badger presented a kneeling stool, designed and worked on, by himself.

19th April 1979 new Lodge Banner was dedicated by the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master. The Banner was produced with the generosity of Miss B. Wrench, niece of W.Bro J Simms, and by the 'skill & assiduity' of Miss S. Sanders, daughter of one of our Past Masters.

The Greville name & our crest

The founders of the Lodge approached the present Earl of Warwick around the time of the Petition with a request to use the Family name. This was not only agreed to, but permission was given to use the Family Crest, the 'Bear & Ragged Staff'. *

Greville Lodge Crest

The design includes a figure of a man on Horseback to represent the celebrated Guy, Earl of Warwick, a man who lived more than 1,000 years ago and known for his great valour. Indeed Guy is credited with having killed the fierce "Dun Cow" before going on a pilgrimage to the Holy Lands before returning and living as a hermit in a cave at Guy's Cliff.

The Two great pillars, of course, represent the Porchway to Freemasonry adjoined with the Celestial & Terrestrial Globes.

* The 'Bear & Ragged Staff' is also the crest of Warwickshire

Absent Brethren

At the first regular meeting in January 1926 it was proposed that at 9:30PM, on each lodge night, a toast be made to 'Absent Brethren'
- again this is a custom that continues to this day.

Over the years there have been many Greville Brethren who have 'ascended to a higher place' and they are remembered fondly for all their works for Greville Lodge and Freemasonry in general.

Obituaries to those Brethren can be seen via the History Link.

Greville sponsoring other Lodges

We are eternally grateful to our original sponsors, Shakespeare Lodge. It is in the same spirit that Greville has gone on to sponsor 2 other lodges.

LODGE OF WARWICK (8011) in 1965. A current membership of 47 and meeting at Alderson House Their web site can be accessed via the links page.

SCHOLA WARWICENSIS (9321) in 1989. A current membership of 30 and also meeting at Alderson House.