A SHORT HISTORY OF TORBAY LODGE

No 1358

1772:  The original Torbay Lodge was warranted by the Premier Grand Lodge on the

4^th April 1772 as No 427

extract from Grand Lodge Register

It met at the “Crown & Anchor” in Church Street, Paington (note the spelling!) from 1772 until just before the Inn’s demolition in 1892.  This Inn was the regular meeting place save for a period between 1815 – 1824 when the Lodge met at the “London Inn” also in Church Street.

 1780:  Following renumbering of Lodges, Torbay became No 335.

 1781:  An error in the renumbering system and Torbay became No 336.  First known Master of Lodge was W Bro Gilbert Northey.

 1792:  Following further renumbering it became No 277.

 1813:  On the reunion of the two Grand Lodges it became No 350. The early members were Mariners, Innholders, Victuallers, Joiners, Sailmakers, Merchants, Cordwainers (shoemakers) and Gentlemen.

 1824:  On the last meeting of Lodge No 350 the Master & Senior Warden, who were brothers, met in the upstairs room of the Crown & Anchor. The weather was cold and the fire was burning brightly.  As the labours of the evening proceeded, so did the strong ale flow with the result that an argument over ritual is alleged to have taken place. The row reached a pitch when the Senior Warden, unable to contain himself picked up all the Aprons he could get his hands on and flung them in the fire.  Such action proved to be the “death knell” of Lodge No 350. On 9 Oct 1824, John Hutchings wrote to Grand Secretary “Herewith I send you our Warrant No 350. I regret if very much. Our Treasurer informs me he paid into you hands all demands, when he was in London.”  Thus Torbay Lodge was erased from the Register.

1871:  A meeting on 24 April presided over by Rev Robert Bowden (St John’s No 328) unanimously agreed that a Freemasons Lodge should be established in Paignton.  The WM and Wardens of Pleiades (No 710) were invited and agreed to support a prayer of Petition.  The warrant was granted on 26 May 1871 to meet at the newly built Town Hall at the junction of New Street and the Totnes Turnpike.  Records show that in May 1871 “the three rooms upstairs to be let as a Freemason’s Lodge for £15 a year”

On 3 August 1871 Torbay Lodge No 1358 was consecrated by RW Bro The Rev John Huyshe, PGM.  W Bro Rev Robert Bowden was appointed the first WM.

1890:  W Bro George Soudon Bridgeman gives a site in Polsham Road for a new Lodge premises

1891:  A tender from Bro Rabbich for £663 was accepted and the foundation stone was laid by W Bro Bradford, Secretary of the Lodge and Bro Bridgeman on 15 April 1891.  On 11 August the Lodge premises was consecrated.

And now to 2003

Six Craft Lodges (Torbay, Miles Coverdale, Courtland, Quest, Torbay Master and Noontide) together with Torbay Chapter and Torbay Mark all meet at Paignton Masonic Hall in Courtland Road.

Over the past few years much work has been carried out to restore the Building and Temple, starting with the Bar and Refectory in 1994 and culminating with the Temple during the period 2000 to 2002. 

 Here are just a couple of photographs highlighting the beautiful decorative features of the Temple.

 Why not come along and see for yourselves?  For more details of meetings then e-mail the Secretary

The Temple

And some of the detailed decorative artwork: