250 years
A special event took place in Carrickfergus on St. Patrick's Day, marking the 250th Anniversary of the foundation of one of the Borough's most ancient societies: St. Patrick's Masonic Lodge No. 43, Irish Constitution.
The Lodge was officially warranted by the then recently formed Grand Lodge of Ireland in the year 1756. While it was officially warranted in 1756, it is highly probable that it existed for some years before that date, as the Grand Lodge of Ireland, based in Dublin and itself formed in 1725, only began to issue Warrants to Lodges in the 1730s. Initially St. Patrick's was warranted as Masonic Lodge No. 270; this number was exchanged in 1817 for No. 43, in order that the Lodge could take its precedence in the many church processions of that period.
During its history the Lodge has seen many turbulent times — no doubt the worst of these was the invasion and capture of the Borough by the French in 1760. It is to the Lodge's deep regret that no Lodge Minutes survive covering this period.
The Anniversary was celebrated by a meeting of the Lodge on St. Patrick's Day, Friday 17th March 2006, commencing at 3.00 p.m., at which Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodge Officers were present together with a large number of other distinguished Brethren. In the evening an Anniversary Dinner and Dance was held in the Clarion Hotel.
More important in the celebrations was a Church Service held on Sunday 19th March 2006 in Joymount Presbyterian Church, where a large congregation joined the Brethren to give thanks to the Almighty and to mark this important event in the sometimes-forgotten history of the Borough. It is appropriate that the service took place in Joymount Presbyterian Church: the Minutes record that the founding Minister of that congregation in 1852, the Rev. James Warwick, became a member of the Lodge in 1853 and also acted as a Chaplain to the Lodge.
The circular for the Anniversary Meeting
W. Bro. E. N. Moore, W.M.
Dear Sir and Brother,
You are hereby summoned to attend an Emergency Communication of your Lodge, called by the Worshipful Master to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the Lodge, to be held in the Masonic Hall, Victoria Street, Carrickfergus, on St. Patrick's Day, Friday 17th March 2006 at 3:00 p.m. sharp. A full and punctual attendance is requested.
Yours fraternally,
Godfrey D. Robinson, P.M. (Hon. Secretary)
Agenda
- Circular
- Salute to the Deputy Grand Master
- Salute to present and past Grand Lodge Officers
- Salute to the Provincial Grand Master
- Salute to present and past Provincial Grand Lodge Officers
- Minutes
- Matters arising
- Correspondence
- Apologies
- "St. Patrick's Masonic Lodge" — a talk by W. Bro. Jim Adamson
- Accounts
See item 10 above to read a copy of the talk given at the Anniversary Meeting.
Not a spare seat in the Lodge Room.