History of the Lodge

Benevolent Lodge was constituted on 25th March 1794 and consecrated on 1st May 1794, with the number 540.  Its Warrant of Constitution was issued by the first Provincial Grand Master, R. W. Bro. Sir Charles Warwick Bamfylde, Bart, under the Seal of the “ County of Devon and City of Exeter Provincial Grand Lodge ”, and was later ratified by the Grand Lodge of England.

In those early days the Lodge met at the Newfoundland Fishery in the Strand, in 1802 in a private room, and in 1820, when our available records start, at the Public Rooms, which is now the site of the Riviera Cinema.  From then until 1868 the Lodge met at various Inns in the town.

The Lodge’s original number was 540.  After the formation of the United Grand Lodge of England in 1813 it became 556.  It was altered in 1833 to 380, and to its present number, 303, in 1863.

On 3rd July 1865, after being in existence for seventy-one years, it was proposed that “a Masonic Hall be built in the town dedicated entirely to Freemasonry”.  A site, offered by the Earl of Devon at a ground rental of £3 per annum, was inspected and approved.

The Provincial Grand Master, R.W. Bro. the Rev. John Huyshe, laid the Foundation Stone on the first Monday in January 1867.  On 3rd August 1868 the Provincial Grand Lodge was held in the new premises, and the Masonic Hall was dedicated.

Benevolent Lodge has signed petitions for three new Lodges, in 1872 for Jordan No. 1402 at Torquay, in 1873 for Salem No. 1443 at Dawlish, and in recent times in 1966 for St. Michael’s No. 8186 now working in Dawlish.

In 1874 the Lodge celebrated it’s 100^th year and a Centenary Warrant was granted by Grand Lodge, and the Provincial Grand Master, R. W. Bro. Sir Stafford Northcote, presented the Warrant on 1st August 1894, when the Provincial Grand Lodge was again held under the Banner of Benevolent Lodge.

In April 1921 it was decided to erect a War Memorial Tablet giving details of the Brethren who served in the First World War.  It was unveiled by the Deputy Provincial Grand who signed the Roll of Honour, which together with a covering letter from the serving Worshipful Master addressed to the Master in November 1928, was then placed in a lead casket and inserted in the Tablet. It was decided that the Tablet should be opened every tenth year after 1929, and the W, Master of that day should append a letter to the Master who would occupy the Chair at the next opening. Since 1948 this unique ceremony has been attended by the Provincial Grand Master of the day who gives an address.  In more recent years the ceremony has been expanded to include the Brethren who served in the Second World War; in addition the intricate construction and symbolism of the Tablet is explained, and letters are read by surviving Masters.

During the last War the German Air Force made many air attacks on Teignmouth, and on Sunday 10th January 1943 a heavy concentrated attack was made which resulted in many casualties.  Included in these was the Secretary whose house had a direct hit, resulting in the death of his wife, mother and father, with six other occupants.  The demolition of the Secretary’s home, where at the time of the attack he was busy on Masonic work, gave rise to considerable concern for the safety of the Minute Books and other records.  Many of these were lost and of those that were recovered, some were in a damaged condition.

The Sesqui-Centennial or 150th Meeting of the Lodge on 10th March 1944 was preceded by a Service of Thanksgiving at St. James’ Church, West Teignmouth .   The Provincial Grand Master gave the Address.  The Lodge premises had been redecorated for this special occasion and the Lodge Banner had also been renovated.

In 1994 the Lodge celebrated its Bicentenary and to mark this special occasion, at the meeting on 11th February, It was agreed that to purchase development land adjacent to the Masonic Hall. It was thought that nothing better could be done for the future of the Craft in Teignmouth than to ensure the expansion of our facilities for coming generations of Freemasons.

The Masonic Hall was duly extended and opened by the Provincial Grand Master in 2000.   The hall can boast an air conditioned temple, changing rooms, refectory, kitchen and bar.

The Lodge is now 212 years old and still going strong, with over 100 members, including many brethren of senior rank.