Our Warrant has the distinction of bearing the signature of “Albert Edward”
When he was the Prince of Wales and the Most Worshipful Grand Master.
Which was a position he relinquished on ascending the throne as King Edward VII.
The Lodge was consecrated after the prince was appointed Most Worshipful Grand Master and he personally agreed to the Hanoverian Royal family name of “Guelph” for the Lodge. The Prince was in India at the time, when the formation of the Lodge was under consideration the signing of the warrant was held over until his return to England.
The Grand Secretary, together with the first Master of the Lodge, WBro. E. Bare and Bro. E. Skelt were summoned to Marlborough House where the prince signed the warrant and personally handed it to WBro. E. Bare. The Lodge has had several venues Firstly the Abercorn rooms of the Great Eastern hotel, then for a few years to the National Liberal Club Then to The London Masonic centre Clerkenwell followed by the move to Clerkenwell Centre Lever Street. Now we are in the Harrow District Masonic Centre.
GUELPH LODGE No. 1685
As the facsimile of the original Consecration Summons shows, our Lodge was consecrated on Saturday, 23rd June, 1877, at the “Red Lion”, Leytonstone. The ceremony was conducted by V.W.Bro. John Hervey, the Grand Secretary. He was assisted by the following brethren:
| W.Bro. Joshua Nunn, P.G. Sword Bearer | as S.W. |
| W.Bro. W. T. Howe, Asst. G. Purs. | as J. W. |
| W.Bro. H. G. Buss, Asst. G. Secretary | as D.C. |
| W.Bro. Christian | as I.G. |
| W.Bro. W. H. Lee | as Secretary |
In the absence of a Chaplain, the duties were performed by V.W.Bro. Hervey, who, combining the addresses of Consecrating Offcer and Chaplain, expressed his great pleasure ”to consecrate the Guelph Lodge, which takes its name from that of the Royal Family of England, which the Lodge has special permission from the Prince of Wales to bear”.
The petition for a Warrant of Constitution was preceded by several letters and discussions concerning the name for the proposed new Lodge. The first letter on record was written by W.Bro. Bare to the Grand Secretary, V.W.Bro. Hervey, and was as follows:
3rd March, 1877
Worshipful Sir and Brother
Several of the brethren in this neighbourhood are about presenting a Petition for a Warrant
to establish a new Lodge, and it has been suggested that it be named the “Guelph”, but before we insert that name in our Petition, I should be glad if you will kindly inform me whether you think this name will be acceptable or not to the Most Worshipful Grand Master.
Soliciting the favour of an early reply,
I am,
Worshipful Sir and Brother,
Yours fraternally,
EDWIN BARE.
Next in date order is a letter of introduction for W.Bro. Bare to the Assistant Grand Secretary, W.Bro. Buss, dated 30th April, 1877, in which reference is made to W.Bro. Bare being anxious to be informed on something in regard to his petition for the “Guelph Lodge”.
A further letter by W.Bro. Bare to the Grand Secretary dated 3rd May, 1877, implies that the discussions on the 30th April were successful. The letter reads as follows:
Worshipful Sir and Brother,
It having been intimated that the Most Worshipful Grand Master, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, has been graciously pleased to allow his family name, “Guelph”, to be used by us as the title for our new Lodge, .1 now send you in as concise a form as possible our reasons for asking for the warrant.
Our parish at the last census numbered 14,500 inhabitants, since which time at least 700 villa residences have been erected, and this number is still being rapidly augmented, so that our population is now estimated at 20,000 – and as our parish is about two miles square it is believed that in five years’ time, we shall number 30,000. We *have at the present time accommodation for only 70 Masons and this be it remarked is between two Lodges, the Becontree and the Ivy Spring, both of which are full. As a parish we are singularly deficient in accommodation for Masonic Lodges and it was this fact above which led Bro. Barford to erect a suitable edifice at the rear of his premises.
It is our intention to limit the number of members to thirty-five and this number will be made up of Members of the School Board and Local Board at both of which I have the honour of a seat.
Trusting shortly to receive a favourable reply to our petition.
I am,
Worshipful Sir and Brother,
Yours fraternally,
EDWIN BARE.
Since the Warrant was signed the day following W.Bro. Bare’s meeting with W.Bro. Buss, and the name “Guelph” has been written on the petition in a different handwriting, it seems almost certain that the agreement to use the family name of the Prince of Wales was given on the 30th April, and that W.Bro. Bare was writing in confirmation on the 3rd May, 1877.
The names of the petitioning Brethren and their mother Lodges were:
| Edwin Bare | 1598 |
| Walter Charles Claridge | 1421 |
| Ebenezer Skelt | 1598 |
| Ralph Vincent | 72 |
| Robert J. Uragth | 1228 |
| Henry Waeth | 390 |
| William Manning Crouch | 917 |
| Allen Chuoghs | 1229 |
| John Bairstow Shackleton | 1326 |
The Petition was recommended by the Ivy Spring Lodge No. 1598 and the Beaconsfield Lodge No. 1662. This latter Lodge is not to be confused with the Becontree Lodge No. 1228.
Our meetings are based on enjoyment and fun and also taking in the serious side of the ritual.
We use West End working ritual.
Our members come from varied backgrounds and interests.
Funeral Directors, Engineers, Builders, Accountants, Jewellers, Property Developers. Etc
The age range of our members is very diverse from under Thirty to over Eighty.
We are an open and friendly Lodge and at our meetings we have many guests who return on a regular basis.
After our Meetings The festive board is at the centre and its food is of a very good quality, it has been known for us to attend the bar after for a social chat.
We also try to organise Social events like Curry nights, White table events, and Ladies nights.
We have had members Participate in the Lord Mayors show also a couple of us were fortunate to go the 300th Anniversary event at the Royal Albert Hall.
A big Favorite of the Lodge is our Yearly news Letter where there are reports from the various ranks of the lodge and many articles Masonic and Known Masonic.
The Secretary WBro Paul Smith can be contacted by email at enjoyguelph@freemasons.london
