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The Warrant for Victoria Lodge No. 4629 was
issued on the 25th February, 1924, and the Lodge was consecrated in the following October. Victoria Lodge, through its
lineage, can be traced back through the Lodge of Fellowship No 3799, Widnes Lodge No. 2819 and the Lodge of Equity No. 1384
to the Lodge of Loyalty No. 86 that meet at Prescot and was formed in 1753. The following shows the origin of all Widnes
Lodges and the position of Victoria Lodge holds in the Group in terms of age.
The Lodge was named to represent the Victoria District of Widnes that existed at the time of formation and
not, as widely may be thought, in the name of Queen Victoria. A further move away from association with the late queen is
evidenced from the Lodge Summons when the emblem used right from the early meetings contained, as it does today, a representation
of some of the jewels and ornaments used in Lodge Ceremonies including the square, level and heavy maul, laid in front of
a Mason’s tool bag and an decorated column. As
can be seen from the chart, other Lodges were later to take their names from areas in and around the town and so this may
have been the start of that practice. However, an effigy of Queen Victoria is used on the Past Masters’ Jewel and as
the centrepiece to the Lodge Banner so there may have been a wish from the Lodge Founders to indicate a royal connection as
Queen Victoria’s eldest son, later to become Edward VII, had been such a prominent Freemason. Seventeen of the Lodge Founders were drawn from the Lodge of Fellowship
and one from the Widnes Lodge under the leadership of Dr. S. McCausland, who was to become the first Master. A local doctor,
he was a significant force in Widnes Freemasonry and later became a Founder and Master of two other Lodges - St. Paul’s
Lodge (1934) and Appleton Lodge (1947). He was assisted and supported, of course by the other 17 Founding Members, particularly
A. E. Edwards and. the Rev. J. E. Edwardson, who equally provided inspiration and stability to the foundling Lodge. The strength
of those early days led to the solidarity, unity and concord that has been maintained for more than 80 years. Mention is also be made in the early minutes to Dr. Creighton Hutchinson
who, even though not Founding Member of Victoria Lodge, added his own support and encouragement to the start of the new Lodge.
He was an eager and powerful friend of the new lodge who, because of his diligence and assistance, was made the first Honorary
Member of Victoria Lodge. Dr. Hutchinson was a local physician who spent his life helping Widnes people and, following his
death in 1927, local people contributed to a lasting memorial. A bust of W. Bro. Hutchinson can still be seen in the gardens
on Victoria Promenade.
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Dr Creighton Bronze on Victoria Promenade |
Dr Creighton Plaque on Victoria Promenade |
Victoria Lodge has flourished over the years and many members have been sons, brothers or other family members
associated with the original 18 Founders. Today, there remains a direct connection with the first days of Victoria Lodge through
Arnold G. Clark whose father was a Founder Member in 1924. Looking through the minutes of meetings, membership has remained
strong with, at times more than 60 members, and on several occasions double ceremonies were held to cater of the number of
applications to join. It was often referred to as a Lodge of shopkeepers as the regular meeting was, andf still is, held on
a Thursday, the day that was traditionally half day closing in Widnes. One unusual event happened in 1947 when the Master of Victoria Lodge, Richard Kirby, was asked to perform
a Ceremony Raising on behalf of a Lodge in the United States for an American Serviceman who was stationed at the United States
Army Base at Burtonwood. Four Victoria Lodge members have been prominent in Widnes Freemasonry and have shouldered the responsibilities
as Chairman of the Widnes Group of Lodges - Dr. S. McCausland, R. Clibborn , A. Morris and, latterly, A. J. Tallon. Today, with a membership is 46, and Victoria Lodge remains one of the
strongest Lodges in numerical terms in the Widnes Group of Lodges. Whilst other Lodges have seen a drop in membership and
a shortage of candidates, Victoria Lodge continues to enjoy new members and maintain a relatively high membership. Even in
modern times with a far greater commitment required for family and work responsibilities, candidates are still looking to
join and we have recently been encouraged with younger members becoming members of our Lodge. This is a welcoming development
and one we hope to build on. David Wilkinson
Assistant Secretary
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