The Lodge of Harmony, No. 309, E.C.,
meets at the Masonic Hall, Queens Road, Fareham
on the First Thursday of October through to June (9 meetings)
Installation meeting in October.
The Lodge meets at 5.00 pm in October and 6.00 pm for the remaining meetings.
The Lodge is open for Candidates for Initiation and welcomes visitors from other
Lodges.
Please contact the Lodge Secretary, W Bro Mike Fellows or
e-mail: mike.fellows1@btinternet.com
Tel: 01329 282989 or 07810 636643
in each case.
In connection with the Fraternity of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, there existed in England, during a part of the 18th century, Four Grand Lodges. At the end of the century two only of these survived, and these continued working, in somewhat strong rivalry, up to the year 1813, when they were happily joined together, under the title of “The United Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of England.”
The Lodge of Harmony—now No. 309—was established under the authority of the senior of the two Grand Lodges referred to, which is universally recognised as the “Mother Grand Lodge” of the World.
The Lodge was constituted on the 8th day of April A.D. 1796, and originally met at the “Fountain Tavern,” Middle Street, Gosport.
The original number of the Lodge was 551. This was altered in 1814 to 575; in 1832 to 387; and in 1863 to 309.
Unfortunately the first Minute Book was lost around the beginning of the twentieth century; the fact being reported in the pages of a book published on and by an older lodge.
The Minutes available begin with a meeting held on the 6th March, 1811, and describe the several ceremonies carried out on the same night. In those days the Master and Officers were installed for six months only; in 1815 they were elected for twelve months.
27th December, 1813.—The union of the two Grand Lodges took place in London, and H.R.H. The Duke of Sussex became Grand Master of the “United Grand Lodge.”
The subscription used to be paid monthly, and varied from 2/6 to 3/6 till the year 1815. In April of that year they were fixed at 2/6, and at a Committee Meeting held at the Dover Castle, on September 12th, 1816, it was resolved to further reduce it to 1/6 for Brethren of the Lodge; but visitors were still charged 2/6.
During the year 1815 the first Book of Constitutions of the United Grand Lodge was published, and Grand Lodge issued a general circular cautioning the Lodges and Brethren not to countenance a book of ritual sold by a charlatan named Finch, and on 4th January, 1815, there appears the following Minute:—
“A letter was received and read from the Grand Lodge respecting a publication of Mr. Finch on Masonry when it was agreed that all the Members of the Lodge do coincide with the sentiments therein contained and that the said Finch be reprobated and held in the highest detestation.”
1820.—George IV., on his accession to the Throne of England, became Grand Patron of the Order.
At the installation of Sir W. De Crespigny as Provincial Grand Master by H.R.H. The Duke of Sussex, at Southampton, in August 1821, the “Lodge of Harmony” was represented by 14 Officers and Brethren.
There is nothing generally but routine work recorded in the following decade, and the lodge seems to have been gradually decreasing in numbers, and fewer candidates came forward, but notwithstanding this they repeatedly refused candidates whom they did not consider worthy.
At this period the Minutes are very meagre, but some fifteen years later, when the Lodge became stronger, the Minutes were beautifully and fully written.
In 1837, we find recorded in the Minutes the fact that the lodge passed through a very difficult period, and in fact remained dormant for several months, steps being taken to close the Lodge and return the Warrant. Later, however, steps were taken in June, 1839, to revive the Lodge, and it appears that a more successful period followed.
The Lodge of Harmony was ever to the fore in supporting the charities, and in conjunction with this matter the minutes are sometimes lengthy and interesting.
A Chapter in connection with the Lodge was founded in this year, 1843.
On the 5th March, 1846, it was unanimously resolved: “That as this Lodge will have been established 50 years on the 8th April next, the Members celebrate that event by dining together on that day, and that the Members of the neighbouring Lodges be invited to attend on that occasion.”
It is remarkable that there is no record of the Jubilee meeting, and there are no minutes at all of any meeting in the month of April that year, nor is there any subsequent allusion to the matter.
In September, 1850, it was decided to remove the Lodge to Fareham, and at the meeting held at the Institution Hall in that Town on October 3rd, 1850, eleven new Joining Members and three Candidates were proposed.
1852.—Provincial Grand Lodge was held at Fareham.
In 1855, several Officers of the British German Legion were admitted as Joining Members.
In 1864, The Master of the Lodge had silver plates let into the pedestals, also the lettering on the Lodge Banner altered (he also presented the Lodge with a beautiful Silver Loving Cup at the Centenary which is still in regular use).
1st October, 1868.—Notice of motion was given of a proposition to remove the “Lodge of Harmony” to Portsmouth; this was discussed at the following Lodge Meeting, when the question was postponed for six months; after that interval the matter was again considered, and finally the idea was abandoned.
In 1868, Provincial Grand Lodge was held at Fareham.
6th April, 1893.—New by-law approved for constituting a General Purposes Committee for the Lodge. No such Committee had, apparently, existed previously.
2nd November, 1893.—Charity Association started in connection with the Lodge to enable Members to acquire votes in the Masonic Charities by easy payments.
6th February, 1896.—Form of Petition for a Centenary Warrant for the Lodge agreed upon and signed.
The Warrant was granted, and presented at the Centenary Meeting.
7th May, 1896.—Centenary celebration of the Lodge attended by the Provincial
Grand Master, Grand Lodge and Provincial
Grand Lodge Officers. The Officers of the Lodge for the year all being Past
Masters.
1907.—Provincial Grand Lodge held at Fareham under the Banner of the Lodge of Harmony.
4th August, 1914.—Outbreak of the Great War. In spite of difficulties consequent upon the calling to the colours of several officers and Brethren, the Lodge continued to hold their usual Regular Meetings.
11th November, 1918.—Armistice and end of the War.
October, 1920.—Initiation Fee increased to 15 guineas, and Joining Fee to 3 guineas.
Owing to the increased membership, and the limited accommodation at the Red Lion, Installation Meetings were generally held at the Parish Hall, West Street, Fareham.
February, 1921.—The Lodge decided to become a Founding Lodge of the Freemasons’ Hospital and Nursing Home, London. The qualifying donation for this purpose was 100 guineas, and this payment was spread over a number of years.
March, 1922.—The ever-present need for a suitable building for the holding of Lodge Meetings, led to the purchase of a plot of land situated in Bath Lane, Fareham, and it was decided to open a Building Fund for the purpose of erecting a Temple on the site.
4th May, 1922.—Lodge subscriptions increased from £1/1/- per annum to £1/10/- for members residing within a 20-miles radius of the Lodge, and 15/- per annum for those living outside that area.
October 1924.—The qualifying donation of 100 guineas being fully subscribed, the Lodge received Certificate as a Founding Lodge of the Freemasons’ Hospital and Nursing Home.
January, 1931.—The Lodge voted a sum of 50 guineas to the fund for the rebuilding of the Fareham Parish Church (SS Peter & Paul). One of the pillars of the church is carved with the Masonic emblem and also the Lodge escutcheon placed on the roof of the nave.
November, 1933.—Land in Bath Lane sold, and a plot of land in Queens Road, Fareham, acquired for £400. A Private Limited Liability Company was formed – Fareham Masonic Hall Ltd,
January, 1934.—Lodge meetings removed to the Foresters Hall, West Street, Fareham.
October, 1934.—The Temple in Queens Road having been completed and paid for, the Provincial Grand Master, with his Officers, visited the Lodge and declared the building opened, and opened the Lodge proceedings.
September, 1939.—Outbreak of the World War. Owing to the uncertain position due to enemy air attack, the Lodge was closed in October, 1939, but reopened in January, 1940, and continued to meet regularly during the remainder of the hostilities. The withdrawal of petrol for private purposes, the curtailment of bus services, and the fact that all civilians were engaged on Civil Defence in some form or other, put a heavy strain on the Officers of the Lodge during this period, but the Lodge is to be congratulated that they were able to continue to work with the same standard of dignity and efficiency as in the past.
17th July, 1940.—The ground floor of the Masonic Hall was requisitioned by the Military for accommodation of troops.
In April, 1942, it was deemed advisable to open the Lodge for the months of July, August and September, and close during December, January and February, owing to the frequency of enemy air attacks after dark.
8th May, 1945.—End of World War. Masonic Hall vacated by the Military.
8th April, 1946.—One hundred and fiftieth Anniversary of the Founding of the Lodge.
2nd October, 1947. — Order from Ministry of Food, that from 14th September, 1947 no luncheon, dinner or supper or any similar service of food be supplied to a party exceeding 100 in number. (This was because of ‘rationing’ still being in force.)
October 1950. — A cheque was received from the Admiralty to cover 95% of the cost of damage to the building caused by the explosion at Bedenham.
3rd June, 1953. — Coronation of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II.
1956. — The Lodge of Harmony becomes a Founding Lodge of the new Wakefield Wing of the Royal Masonic Hospital.
November, 1956. — The lodge is notified by United Service Lodge that a brother who had applied to join the Lodge of Harmony had been excluded by them on 30th September, 1926 owing 3 years subscriptions. On being informed of this the brother promptly paid his arrears, after 30 years!
December, 1956. — A letter from Provincial Grand Lodge asking each Lodge to appoint: a) an Almoner, b) a Charity Association Representative.
10th December, 1958. — H.M. Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother opened the Wakefield Wing of the Royal Masonic Hospital.
28th August, 1963. — Consecration of “daughter” lodge – Bishopswood Lodge, No. 7920.
11th October, 1963. — There were 190 members on our books.
1965. — Grand Lodge passed a resolution to amend ‘penalties’.
1970. — New Provincial Offices at Chandlers Ford opened.
26th July, 1972. — Consecration of “daughter” lodge – Caer Peris Lodge, No. 8437.
23rd April, 1976. — Consecration of “daughter” lodge – Master Builders Lodge, No. 8694.
1977 — Management of the Masonic Hall and its facilities was Licensed to Fareham Masonic Club by Fareham Masonic Hall Ltd. This resolved a number of conflicts and put the running of the premises into the hands of an elected management representative of all the Lodges meeting there. Ownership of the premises remains with Fareham Masonic Hall Ltd representing The Lodge of Harmony, No. 309., who themselves are charged the same per-capita rent and derive the same benefits as the other Craft lodges meeting in Fareham. One of the benefits being a separate Club room and bar, available to all members regardless of other activities in the building.
20th June 1995. — The Lodge staged the first day trip for its widows. Organised by the Almoner, a party of widows and a few of their families and friends set forth by coach from the Masonic Hall in Fareham to Portsmouth, and thence by ferry to the Isle of Wight for a trip around the Island seeing the sights and enjoying the hospitality. The return trip, via Lymington, finished with a tour through the New Forest and thence home. Fortunately, the sun shone brightly throughout the day and the sea was dead calm for both crossings. Thanks must go to the Almoner’s wife, and to the brethren who provided food for a picnic lunch and transport to and from the Masonic Hall.
30th May 1996. — The 200th meeting of the Lodge is held at the Masonic Hall at 10 Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth as the hall at Fareham does not have the capacity for members and their guests. We received the Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master & the Provincial Grand Master together with other dignitaries from Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodge. The festive board following the meeting is held in the Guildhall, itself. To commemorate the occasion a Past Master of the Lodge presented a silver punch bowl with a finely tooled and decorated wooden case made by a junior member of the Lodge to keep it in.
Current day. — The masonic premises in Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth have been vacated and several Lodges have moved to Fareham, as has one Lodge from Botley. The Lodge of Harmony continues to work in its premises at Fareham. Fareham Masonic Club continues to manage the premises under licence from Fareham Masonic Hall, Ltd. The Hall can be let out for private use, subject to availability. Log onto the web site at www.fareham-masonic.co.uk