50 Years of St. George’s Masonic Lodge in Carrickfergus
St. George’s Masonic Lodge Number 1016 was constituted on St. George’s Day, 23rd April 1956. This was in fact the second time that Warrant 1016 had been issued to a Carrickfergus Lodge, having been issued previously in 1815 and exchanged for Number 248 in 1819.
The Ceremony of Constitution commenced at 6.30 pm in the Freemasons’ Hall, Carrickfergus, and was attended by 22 Provincial Grand Officers including the then current Provincial Grand Master of Antrim, R.W. Rupert Stanley LLD.
The Lodge was founded by 10 Brethren from other Lodges in the Carrickfergus area. A further 19 were proposed for affiliation and the names of 4 Candidates were submitted for Initiation.
The Crest of the Lodge depicts St. George’s victory over the Dragon and teaches Brethren to have the strength and courage to confront and conquer adversity.
Foundation Members
The Foundation Members of St. George’s Masonic Lodge 1016 were:
- Samuel Simms — Lodge 43
- Richard Dobbs — Lodge 1012
- William Beggs — Lodge 43
- Kenneth McCormack — Lodge 615
- William Milner — Lodge 162
- Thomas McClure — Lodge 346
- Thomas McAlister — Lodge 43
- Thomas Kemp — Lodge 346
- Alexander Beattie — Lodge 346
- Alexander Simms — Lodge 43
On 23 April 1981 the Lodge held a special Meeting to celebrate the occasion of its Silver Jubilee and was attended by the Provincial Assistant Grand Master of Antrim, R.W. Bro. J. Winnington. At the suggestion of R.W. Bro. Winnington it was agreed that those Foundation Members who were present should sign the Minute Book. Records show that W. Bro. S. Simms (Foundation Worshipful Master), W. Bro. W. J. Beggs (Foundation Senior Warden), and W. Bro. A. Beattie (Foundation Senior Steward) were in attendance.
On 4 May 2006 the Lodge held a Stated Communication to celebrate the occasion of its Golden Jubilee. A service of celebration was led by Provincial Grand Lodge Chaplain V.W. Bro. J. McClurg. In his address V.W. Bro. McClurg paid tribute to the foresight, dedication and enthusiasm of the Foundation Members. V.W. Bro. J. Morris, who had received his Entered Apprentice on 20 December 1956, recalled some of the past members and their association with the local Education Authorities as both Staff and Teachers. He paid tribute to V.W. Bro. Milner, V.W. Bro. MacCormac and W. Bro. Palmer who had worked steadfastly over the years for Freemasonry in general and St. George’s Lodge 1016 in particular.
Past Masters of Lodge 1016
| 1956 | S. Simms |
|---|---|
| 1957 | R.A.F. Dobbs, M.A., JP |
| 1958 | W.J. Beggs |
| 1959 | T.G. McClure |
| 1960 | T.B. Kemp |
| 1961 | A. Beattie |
| 1962 | A.M. McDowell |
| 1963 | J.O. Campbell |
| 1964 | R.S. Connor |
| 1965 | R. Cromwell |
| 1966 | W.J. Beattie |
| 1967 | S. Cromwell |
| 1968 | J. Morris, B.A. |
| 1969 | R. Cathcart, B.A., B.Sc. |
| 1970 | J.M. O’Neill |
| 1971 | S. McAlister |
| 1972 | J. Entwistle |
| 1973 | J. Palmer |
| 1974 | D.B. McKeen |
| 1975 | C. Palmer |
| 1976 | I.D. Jardine |
| 1977 | J.W. Newell |
| 1978 | K.D. Hogsett |
| 1979 | J. McKinney |
| 1980 | D.B. Hunter |
| 1981 | B.J.C. Hogsett |
|---|---|
| 1982 | P.J.A. Giff |
| 1983 | J.B. Boyd |
| 1984 | R. Stirling |
| 1985 | H. Wilson |
| 1986 | W.J.J. Brolly |
| 1987 | H.M. Brolly |
| 1988 | R.M. Hutchison |
| 1989 | W.R. Whiteside |
| 1990 | A. Lynd |
| 1991 | W. Manderson |
| 1992 | R.C. Young |
| 1993 | J. Reaney |
| 1994 | P. Graham |
| 1995 | B. McQuitty |
| 1996 | T. Wilson |
| 1997 | D. Hill |
| 1998 | T. Young |
| 1999 | D. Bailie |
| 2000 | E. Lynd |
| 2001 | M. Berry |
| 2002 | A. Linton |
| 2003 | S. Coulter |
| 2004 | R.H. Gray |
| 2005 | E. Dickson |
| 2006 | W.R. Whiteside |
Past Grand Lodge of Ireland Officers
The following Brethren brought recognition and honour to St. George’s Masonic Lodge 1016 by being elected to serve as Officers of the Grand Lodge of Ireland.
- V.W. Bro. W.S. Milner JP — Grand Lodge Steward of Charities & Representative of the Grand Lodge of Turkey
Past Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim Officers
The following Brethren brought recognition and honour to St. George’s Masonic Lodge 1016 by being elected to serve as Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim.
- V.W. Bro. W.S. Milner — Chairman of the Antrim Masonic Charity Committee
- V.W. Bro. K.A. MacCormac — Provincial Grand Lodge Senior Warden
- W. Bro. S. Simms — Chairman of Antrim Inspection Committee
- V.W. Bro. J. Morris — Provincial Grand Lodge Senior Warden
- W. Bro. J. Palmer — Provincial Grand Lodge Standard Bearer
- W. Bro. W.R. Whiteside — Provincial Grand Lodge Inspector
Individual Milestones
During its history, St. George’s Lodge 1016 honoured three Brethren who had attained 50 years as Members of the Masonic Order:
- W. Bro. G. Latimer — affiliated from Lodge 282
- W. Bro. R. Connor — affiliated from Lodge 43
- V.W. Bro. J. Morris — initiated on 20 December 1956
The presentation to V.W. Bro. Jack Morris was held at the December Communication on 7 December 2006.
The Lodge was also particularly honoured when W. Bro. S. Simms was elected to serve as Mayor of Carrickfergus for the year 1979–1980.
Return of Warrant
At a Closing Ceremony on 21 December 2006, the Warrant of the Lodge was returned by the Worshipful Master, W. Bro. R. Whiteside, to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim Assistant Secretary, W. Bro. Alistair Boyd.
This site is approved by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim.