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History of Freemasonry
in Widnes
Freemasonry in Widnes began on the 10th November 1871 when nine gentlemen met in a room at
the Simms Cross Hotel, with the intention of ‘Considering the desirability of forming a Lodge within the district’.
These consisted of eight brethren from the Lodge of Loyalty No 86 of Prescot with the other brother being from the Lodge of
Lights of Warrington..
Just after the turn of the 20th Century, the Widnes Freemasons had acquired their
own premises in Victoria Road and a second lodge, The Widnes Lodge, was formed in July 1900. The Widnes Lodge Amalgamated
with the Knowsley Lodge in 2006 to form the Widnes and Knowsley Lodge No 3581.
By 1920 a further two lodges,
Lodge of Fellowship (now the Hale Lodge of Fellowship) and Goodwill Lodge (now Godwill (inc Wilmere) Lodge), had been formed
and more spacious accommodation was needed. Premises were relocated to
St. Pauls Chamber's above what used to be Boots the Chemist.
In 1937, with six lodges now in the town,
a move was made to find a suitable location in Widnes for a purpose built Masonic Hall. Eventually, agreement was reached
to purchase land in Kingsway, Widnes and the current Masonic Hall was built and was officially opened in 1959. Since then,
the number of lodges using the premises peaked at thirteen but has now settled at nine due to Amalgamations. There
are four Chapters and several other Masonic Orders using the premises. The number of members is currently standing at
about 300.
Each lodge, presided over by a Master and two Wardens, has between 20 and 60 members. All lodges
are governed by a regulatory body for the Province of West Lancashire, ( http://www.westlancsfreemasons.org.uk/ ) under the auspices of the United Grand
Lodge of England. ( www.ugle.org.uk )
There are many social occasions organised by lodges in the Group, at which wives, family and friends enjoy meeting and
creating life long associations in informal surroundings.
Freemasonry is not a benefit institution for its
members or their dependents but, from its earliest days, it has been concerned with the care of orphans, the sick and the
aged. Its concern for the community as a whole, not just its own members, is expressed in charitable giving and by voluntary
endeavour. An extensive list of non-Masonic charities, both local and national, which are supported by Freemasonry, is freely
available. ( http://www.grandcharity.org/ )
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