The Liverpool Wellington Group of Lodges and Chapters

Province of West Lancashire
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 The Freemason

Freemasonry is more than social good fellowship, more than ritual, more than organized charity. It is a way of living; a Philosophy of Life.

The attainment of wisdom, prudence, temperance, justice, reason, self-reliance, strength and beauty are practical objectives. Self-restraint, upright conduct, and morality are worthy means toward the accomplishment of these objectives. These are typical of the Masonic Philosophy.

 

"In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth. The Earth was without form, and void. And darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved across the waters, and God said: 'Let There Be Light', and there was Light".

 

This quote from Genesis 1: 1-3 is powerful, and it is also ironic that it is also read, to every Masonic candidate, during the very first Masonic Degree. It is suiting to a Fraternity, like Freemasonry, to have the new member start his path of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, with the word of God.

 

 

Mission Statement

 

As Freemasons, we have strongly held views about our personal and collective responsibilities. In a changing world challenged by an erosion of values and personal conduct, we have an obligation, demanded by the precepts of Freemasonry, to always try to exercise and demonstrate honourable attitudes and creditable behaviour.

 

Our Mission

·                     To be good citizens by practising the highest moral and social standards in friendship, charity and integrity.

·                     We aim to behave towards others, as we would have them behave towards us.

·                     We aim to be constructive in our approach to life and uphold the importance of the welfare and independence of everyone.

·                     We are dedicated to making good men better and developing our knowledge of ourselves as individuals and the world around us through education, discussion and social exchange.

·                     We aim to make proper use of our time, dividing it between worship, work, leisure and service, thus making the best use of our mental and physical abilities.

·                     We aim to use our talents for the benefit of ourselves, our families, our neighbours and our communities throughout our private, public, business and professional life.

·                     We consider charity as being goodwill to all.

·                     We care not only for Masons and their families, but also for the community as a whole.

·                     We cherish all life and the well-being of all.

·                     We respect the ideals and beliefs of others and endeavour to behave with kindness and understanding.

·                     We believe that all individuals are equal and dependant on each other; that they must be valued for their own merits regardless of factors such as race, national origin, religious creed, social status or wealth.

·                     We treat everyone in an open and honest manner.

 

 

The Province of West Lancashire

 

Freemasonry has deep roots in Lancashire. The earliest mention of a ceremony is in the diary of Elias Ashmole, who records his initiation in the Order at Warrington on the 16th October, 1646. The County, which was at first one Province, remained so until the 17th April 1826, when after two years of wrangling and the suspension of the then Provincial Grand Master, it was divided into East and West, the Western Division then embraced all the Lodges on the West side of the Great North Road (A6) extending from Stockport in Cheshire, through Manchester, Bolton, Preston and Lancaster to Burton in the County Westmorland, including Preston and Lancaster but excluding Bolton.  This boundary remains to this day despite changes in County Boundaries resulting in some of the present Lodges in Merseyside, Cheshire, Greater Manchester or Cumbria. The change of name from Lancashire Western Division to West Lancashire, took place in 1960.

 

In 1826 when the Western Division was created, there were 25 Lodges with 467 Members. 100 years later there were 261 Lodges with 24,872 members. Now 180 years on, there are 451 Lodges with approximately 13, 425 members. It will be seen that although the number of Lodges has increased steadily, the average numbers in each Lodge has been reducing in line with modern thought that with smaller Lodges comes scope for more brethren actively to participate in Lodge affairs. However, Lodge amalgamations are now also regular and welcome occurrences, and consequently some lodges are growing in size.

 

Because of size and considerable area of the Province, an organisation was set up in 1910 to assist the Provincial Grand Master’s Chairmanship of a Festival for the R.M.I.G. This involved arranging the Lodges in the Province into a series of Groups, 22 at that time. The Group system proved so successful it was decided that for the better organisation of the Province, it would be continued and it has proved of immense value to the administration of the Province ever since. The Group Officials give generously of their time and effort for the furtherance of Freemasonry in this, the largest Province. There are now 24 Groups, all with their Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary, each taking its turn to host and provide Stewards so essential for a successful Provincial Grand Lodge Meeting.

 

The Province of West Lancashire is not only the largest of the Provinces ranged under the banner of the United Grand Lodge of England: it also has claims to being the birthplace of English Freemasonry. The initiation of Elias Ashmole in Warrington in Lancashire on the 16th October 1646 is the earliest recorded initiation into English Freemasonry.

 

All trace of that early Lancashire Lodge, if indeed such a Lodge existed, if it was not merely an ad hoc meeting of conveniently situated Freemasons, has disappeared. The oldest of the existing lodges is Lodge of Loyalty No 86 in Prescot, dating from 1753 and still meeting on the Wednesday after the full moon, although the brethren of course can no longer rely on their horses to see them safely home in the moonlight.