Essex Mark and Royal Ark Mariner Themed Lodges
The Province of Essex is very fortunate to have several Lodges of Specialist Interest. These Lodges are open to all visitors.
Each has its own, and distinct, raison d'être and we are pleased to give you a pen picture of them all below.
With one or two minor caveats, each welcomes qualified joining members and just plain curious guests. So, go on, take a step and visit one or more, you will be made most welcome.
If you would like to visit one of the Lodges, please use the contact form below.
Each has its own, and distinct, raison d'être and we are pleased to give you a pen picture of them all below.
With one or two minor caveats, each welcomes qualified joining members and just plain curious guests. So, go on, take a step and visit one or more, you will be made most welcome.
If you would like to visit one of the Lodges, please use the contact form below.
Stilus et Denarius, No. 1735
The Lodge was consecrated on 29th October 1994 and is open to present and past Secretaries and Scribes as well as Treasurers of Mark Master Mason's and RAM Lodges. The Lodge is peripatetic (it meets at various Masonic Halls) and meets twice a year on the 4th Friday in March and October (Installation). It is attended by the Provincial Grand Secretary and Treasurer for the dissemination of information, guidance, Q& A sessions, and the sharing of idea’s and experiences relating to the office, all in a relaxed and convivial setting. |
Mark of Love and Remembrance, No. 1718
Consecrated on the 16th April,1994, The Lodge is a "Daylight Lodge" and meets at the Rochford Masonic Hall, on the 2nd Saturday in February, the 1st Saturday in April and the 3rd Saturday in November (Installation) The Lodge was formed by members of the Royal British Legion and is open to all MMMs especially for those that find it difficult to attend midweek evening meetings and those that find it increasingly difficult to drive to meetings in non-day light hours. |
The meetings are rounded off with a sit down buffet lunch, to suit those with a large or small appetite, or a snack preparing for another meeting later.
The Lodge prides itself as a friendly bunch and has some interesting ritual and many skilled members. Guests are always welcome (as well as new advancees or joining members!). The current Secretary is W.Bro. Barry Coombes.
The Lodge prides itself as a friendly bunch and has some interesting ritual and many skilled members. Guests are always welcome (as well as new advancees or joining members!). The current Secretary is W.Bro. Barry Coombes.
Mark of Love and Remembrance Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners, No. 1718
Consecrated on the 20th February, 2015, a relatively new Lodge, which meets on the same dates and prior to the Mark Lodge. For those that wish to progress into the Royal Ark Mariner Degree, but would enjoy a daylight Lodge, you do not have to be a member of the Mark Lodge to join. |
The Essex Armed Forces Lodge of Mark Master Masons, No.2016
The Lodge was consecrated at Colchester Masonic Hall in October, 2019 by the Provincial Grand Master, R.W. Bro. Terence D. Sheern. Membership is open to all those with a military connection to meet in Masonic Brotherhood. Serving and former members of any of the world’s Regular, Reserve or Territorial Armed Forces who are Mark Masons are eligible to join and we actively welcome Master Masons wishing to be Advanced into Mark Masonry itself. |
The Lodge meets and dines at the Colchester Masonic Hall and Chelmsford Masonic Centre on alternate meetings.
Meetings are held on the 3rd Monday in March (Chelmsford) and the 3rd Tuesday in October, (Installation ).
Visitors are most welcomed even if you have no connection to the Armed Forces.
Meetings are held on the 3rd Monday in March (Chelmsford) and the 3rd Tuesday in October, (Installation ).
Visitors are most welcomed even if you have no connection to the Armed Forces.
Northern Star Lodge of Mark Master Masons, No.2012
The Lodge was consecrated in November 2019 by the Provincial Grand Master, R.W. Bro. Terence D. Sheern to accommodate two main attributes which have a wide appeal. Firstly, as a Saturday Lodge, it is likely to help brethren that work during the week and find travelling back to attend meetings problematic. Secondly, (and importantly!) it is a "breakfast" Lodge. This not only enables attendance during daylight hours but, because of its early start (they commence activities with a full English breakfast at 9 o’clock) it does not unduly disrupt other plans for the weekend. |
The Lodge meets three times per year on the 2nd Saturday of November (Installation at Kirby), March (Harwich) and May (Brightlingsea). The cost of the meal which includes coffee/tea, juice, toast and marmalade, plus a very ample full English breakfast.
Needless to say, the atmosphere is really friendly and, we suspect, different from any other Lodge you have experienced! New members, guests and joining members are always welcome.
Needless to say, the atmosphere is really friendly and, we suspect, different from any other Lodge you have experienced! New members, guests and joining members are always welcome.
Fillebrook Fine Dining Lodge No. 944.
Consecrated in April 1935, Fillebrook Lodge of Mark Master Masons flourished well until, in more recent years, it suffered from diminishing membership. In 2016, sadly, it was obliged to place its Warrant into abeyance. However, very much like the proverbial phoenix, it was restored a year later as a fine dining Lodge, dedicated to Brethren who enjoy top quality cuisine. This is enhanced by a fine selection of quality wines, taken in pleasant and welcoming company. Meetings are held twice annually (4th Friday in February and 2nd Friday in June) in the wonderful atmosphere of Mark Masons Hall in St. James’s, London. Membership numbers are limited due to the size of the dining facilities at Mark Master Masons Hall, but space allowing, we extend our hospitality by offering a “taster meeting” where you may try a meeting without any obligation to join. For further information, please contact the Secretary, W.Bro. Rob Lancashire. |
Fillebrook Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners, No.944
"A Lodge of Excellence" Some short while ago, both the current ProvGDC, W.Bro. Michael West, and the new APGM (and past ProvGDC) W.Bro. John Finlay agreed to ask the PGM to consent to the reponement of the Fillebrook Lodge of RAM with the sole aim of improving the standard of ritual, protocol and Lodge practices in both the Mark and RAM Degrees across the Province of Essex. The meetings will be a learning platform for Lodge DCs and prospective DCs and, of course, any other interested brother with a want to further his knowledge. The reponement meeting was in October, 2019. |
The Lodge meets twice a year, the Installation takes place on the 1st Friday in October and the remaining meeting is held on the 3rd Tuesday in April. The Installation meetings will take place at the Chingford Masonic Hall with the second meeting taking place at a convenient Centre within the Province.
The October meeting will be the Enthronement of the new Commander, and as the Ceremony will, generally, be for that of a Past Commander, it therefore allows for a demonstration of RAM Elevation Degree at the same meeting. The second meeting in April will, generally, be a demonstration of the Mark Advancement Ceremony. All ceremonies conducted will be accompanied by a commentary, with a question and answer session after the completion of each.
After each meeting a festive board will be held being either RAM or Mark coinciding with the Degrees worked earlier. At the festive boards the protocols of each would be observed and explained. It is particularly suggested that Officers in existing Lodges attend whenever they can and take on a job or enjoy a "faultless" demonstration of it. Newly Elevated Brethren are welcome to further their experience of the symbolism behind our Degrees.
The October meeting will be the Enthronement of the new Commander, and as the Ceremony will, generally, be for that of a Past Commander, it therefore allows for a demonstration of RAM Elevation Degree at the same meeting. The second meeting in April will, generally, be a demonstration of the Mark Advancement Ceremony. All ceremonies conducted will be accompanied by a commentary, with a question and answer session after the completion of each.
After each meeting a festive board will be held being either RAM or Mark coinciding with the Degrees worked earlier. At the festive boards the protocols of each would be observed and explained. It is particularly suggested that Officers in existing Lodges attend whenever they can and take on a job or enjoy a "faultless" demonstration of it. Newly Elevated Brethren are welcome to further their experience of the symbolism behind our Degrees.
Essex Installed Mark Masters & Essex Enthroned Commanders Lodges, No. 1044
All Masters, Past Masters, Commanders and Past Commanders are eligible and strongly encouraged to join the 1044 Lodges. Meetings take place twice a year, usually at Saxon Hall, Southend. The annual subscription for each Lodge is £20 and dining is paid at cost on attendance. |
The meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday in March and Second Thursday in September each year. In March, the Mark Masters meeting is the Installation meeting, whilst in the Enthroned Commanders meeting the Provincial Grand Master confers Provincial RAM Grand Rank. In September, the Mark Masters Meeting is a normal business meeting and may consist of a Lecture or other items of interest. For example, at previous meetings Deputy and Assistant Provincial Grand Masters have been invested and the Enthroned Commanders meeting is the Installation meeting. If you wish to join, please complete the application form(s) found on the Essex Mark Masters Website in the Members Only Section and forwarded to the Secretary, W. Bro. Colin Kendrick whose details are also available under the Contacts Section page on our website.
The Isthmian Mark Lodge, No. 891
The Isthmian Mark Lodge was consecrated in 1930 and was the third unit consecrated into the Isthmian family of units, beginning with the Isthmian Craft (1923) and followed by the Isthmian Royal Arch Chapter (1926). The Isthmian RAM Lodge was the fourth unit, consecrated in 1959. The Isthmian Gentlemen’s Club was established in 1882 in Piccadilly, the Isthmian Football League was created in 1905. The Isthmian family all shared an early membership, drawn from sports enthusiasts, interested in amateur sports as either players or administrators. The Isthmian name is taken from Isthmian Games held in the Greek City of Corinth. |
Both the Isthmian Mark and RAM survived until 2009, when they handed back their Warrants and fell into darkness. In 2021 and 2022 respectively, the Mark and RAM Lodges were Reponed and revived into ‘Combined Services’ Lodges, to cater for serving, retired and volunteer members of all the Emergency, Civil and Public services.
Isthmian is a morning Lodge, meeting at Chingford Masonic Hall on the 2nd Wednesdays of February, May and October, followed by a lunch to allow for an ‘emergency’ get away to enjoy the rest of the afternoon. We are not a closed Lodge, so anyone is welcome to join.
Isthmian is a morning Lodge, meeting at Chingford Masonic Hall on the 2nd Wednesdays of February, May and October, followed by a lunch to allow for an ‘emergency’ get away to enjoy the rest of the afternoon. We are not a closed Lodge, so anyone is welcome to join.
Southern Star Lodge of Mark Master Masons No.2026
Southern Star Lodge of MMM, No.2026 is a Daylight Lodge meeting at Upminster usually at 10.30 AM on the 2nd Wednesday in November and February and the 4th Wednesday in July. The Lodge is a sister Lodge to Northern Star which meets at 3 venues in the North of the Province. There were 37 founding members plus 3 joining members at the creation of the Lodge with a very healthy membership list. Initially, the Lodge looked for joining members only on the strict understanding that joining comes in addition to existing memberships not instead of. However, they are now looking to receive Advancees. |
The Combined Stewards Mark and Royal Ark Mariners Lodge No. 1628
In 2016 the members of the Langdon Hills Mark and Royal Ark Mariners Lodges, voted to hand in their Warrants after a long decline in their fortunes. The Provincial Grand Master, R. W. Bro. Terrence Sheern was of the mind to see how the Lodges could be rescued and their long traditions continued. He tasked W. Bro. John Emmerick, then the APGM, to turn the Langdon Hills Lodges into a Combined Stewards Lodge having seen the success of other Stewards Lodges across the country and within the other orders, the membership of which were seen as the ‘go to volunteers’ to assist with Provincial projects. It was also decided that membership of the Combined Steward Lodges would only be open to those Masons that had been appointed a Provincial or District Steward, or equivalent, in any Order. This would allow for new Mark Men to be made from the ranks of the other Orders and this proved a very popular idea. |
W. Bro. John set himself two objectives. The first was to obtain agreement from the Langdon Hills members for the repurposing of their units and secondly to advertise this new Lodge to current Mark Men who were, or had been Stewards.
The first objective was agreed at the meeting of the Lodge in September of 2015 and then confirmed early the following year. The second proved equally successful, as 15 Mark Men, including the Provincial Grand Master, became Joining members. Since then, the Mark Lodge has welcomed 21 other Joiners and Advanced 8 Past Stewards, while the RAM Lodge has welcomed 20 Joiners, Elevated 4 Mark Men, with 4 more in the wings.
In 2020 a new Lodge Banner for the Mark was produced. This was presented to the Lodge by the Provincial Grand Master in April of that year. However, as this was under the general suspension this was a virtual presentation and it is hoped that the Banner can be properly dedicated in due course.
The overarching objective of the Combined Stewards Lodge is to offer support to the Provincial Grand Master and the wider Province in all of its Charitable Fund Raising efforts but also to assist with any other important Provincial projects. With the current success of the Lodge and the profile of the office of Steward, the Province has a pool of keen volunteers to call upon and Stewards not yet a member, are encouraged to join.
The first objective was agreed at the meeting of the Lodge in September of 2015 and then confirmed early the following year. The second proved equally successful, as 15 Mark Men, including the Provincial Grand Master, became Joining members. Since then, the Mark Lodge has welcomed 21 other Joiners and Advanced 8 Past Stewards, while the RAM Lodge has welcomed 20 Joiners, Elevated 4 Mark Men, with 4 more in the wings.
In 2020 a new Lodge Banner for the Mark was produced. This was presented to the Lodge by the Provincial Grand Master in April of that year. However, as this was under the general suspension this was a virtual presentation and it is hoped that the Banner can be properly dedicated in due course.
The overarching objective of the Combined Stewards Lodge is to offer support to the Provincial Grand Master and the wider Province in all of its Charitable Fund Raising efforts but also to assist with any other important Provincial projects. With the current success of the Lodge and the profile of the office of Steward, the Province has a pool of keen volunteers to call upon and Stewards not yet a member, are encouraged to join.