LODGE ST. ANDREW, No.524
HISTORY
Although the Lodge was chartered in 1872 it is worth noting that
Freemasonry first appeared in
However, on the 5th August, 1872 the Lodge was chartered by the
Grand Lodge of Scotland and given the number 524. Our two sponsor Lodges being
Lodge Rutherglen Royal Arch No. 116 and Lodge St.
John Busby No. 458. Freemasonry had once again been introduced into
The colour for the apron was registered as crimson. Aprons, sashes
and jewels were ordered and our first recorded presentation was that of a
dagger in 1873 which is still in use in the Lodge today.
Visiting Brethren, as far back as 1872, were recorded as being from
Strathaven, Busby and
The early years passed with great activity by the Brethren. Degree
work was carried out with 1st, 2nd and 3rd degrees being carried out on the
same evening. Visitations to Ayrshire, Cambuslang,
Glasgow, Lanarkshire and of course, Renfrewshire East. Brethren attended
consecrations, laying of foundation stones and divine
services. These events took place as far afield as
We are proud to have sponsored Lodge Blantyre Kilwinning
No. 557 (1874) and in later years Lodges Eaglesham
No. 1265 (1921), Douglas No.1557 (1959), Kil Bryd No. 1667 (1972) and McLaren
No. 1688 (1974).
Assistance was also being given to worthy, needy Brethren and their
dependants. Social events had also taken off.
In 1883 the first Past Master's jewel was presented to Bro. J. King. Unfortunately the Lodge was struggling
to stay afloat with low attendances, a dearth of candidates and finances
unhealthy. However, in the three years (1887 - 89) the Lodge grew into a robust
state.
In 1890 P.G.L. of Renfrewshire East held a successful Grand Masonic
Bazaar in aid of Grand Lodge Benevolent Funds in which the brethren of
"524" were involved.
The Lodge's first Mark Ceremonial took place in 1891 and circulars
for attendance at meetings were first issued in 1893.
There is no minute to tell what took place at the Lodge's
twenty-fifth year in 1897 but we hope that some commemoration took place of
these busy and fruitful years.
At the start of the twentieth century Queen
In the Lodge's thirtieth year (1902) it was
decided to start a building fund to provide our own hall. A two-day summer
bazaar was held in 1904. This event, among others was successful and in 1907
the Lodge purchased land in
When 1914 arrived it is recorded that many Brethren had
"joined the colours" with several of the Brethren paying the ultimate
sacrifice, those Brethren are remembered on a Roll of Honour (pictured above)
which is on display in the Lodge room. After the war in the years 1919 - 20
there was a great upsurge in membership.
At the jubilee celebrations of the Lodge (1922) many gifts were
received throughout that year.
In 1936 H.R.H. Duke of York (later King George VI
) became Grand Master Of The Scottish Constitution. However, in the year
of the Empire Exhibition (1938) war clouds were gathering and the Masonic Hall
was requisitioned by the military in 1939. During the ensuing Years the Lodge
met practically next door in the Lesser Hall of the West Kirk until the Hall
was released by the military in 1944.
The Brethren returned to the hall in 1945 and there was a great
upsurge of membership the following year. In 1947 the designation of the New
Town of East Kilbride was to have a great effect on what was essentially a
"Village Lodge". Sadly in the Lodge's seventy-fifth year (1947) there
is no reference in the minutes to the event.
In 1952 there was a mourning period of three months on the death of
King George VI.
A gift of a master's chair in 1955 was given to one of the newer
Lodges in the Province, The Royal Stuart No. 1414.
In 1967 the Lodge looking ahead set up a Centenary Committee. Also
on the agenda was a further extension to the hall. The last meeting in the
"Old Hall" was in May 1970 when a Mark Ceremonial was carried out.
The Lodge met in the Scout Hall,
The centenary celebrations are well documented in the Lodge minutes
and history. On Saturday, 16th September, 1972, Bro. Norman Robb R.W.M.
welcomed the Grand Master Mason of Scotland Bro. David Liddell-Granger and his
deputation and the Provincial Grand Master of Renfrewshire East Bro. Ralph Denholm and his deputation. The meeting was held in the Ballerup Hall, Civic Centre,
Lamb skin apron presented to the Lodge by the Grand Master Mason
and signed by members of the Grand Lodge of Scotland,
Provincial
Grand Lodge and PMs, and Office Bearers
of 524
Hairmyres Curling Club and East Kilbride Bowling
Club also celebrated their Centenaries in 1972.
The following year the three East Kilbride Lodges held a Masonic
Ball and the sum of £500 was donated to
One of the visitations received in 1983 was from a Canadian Lodge
who conducted a dramatised Third Degree.
In 1986 the Lodge was well represented at the various functions
held by Grand Lodge to commemorate their 250th year.
Applications for membership had dropped and attendances had fallen
but just like the Brethren of 100 years before our members soldiered on. The
fortunes of the Lodge waxed and waned but the Lodge still persisted in their
endeavours. Lectures were placed on the syllabus for the education and interest
of the Brethren. This continued up to and past our 125th celebrations which
took place in the Ballerup Hall on Saturday 20th
September, 1997. On that occasion Bro. William Greig
R.W.M. welcomed the Provincial Grand Master, Bro. Frank Johnstone
and his office-bearers who then re-consecrated and re-dedicated the Lodge. A
full report again appears in the Lodge minutes but the ceremonial work carried
out was second to none. After the meeting a fine dinner and harmony was enjoyed
by the Brethren.
Another important event that took place was the complete refurbishment
of the Masonic Hall in 1999.
One of the visitations received in 2002 was from the Lodges of the
Valley Cincinnati Ohio U.S.A. who conducted an exemplification of the Fellow
Craft Degree, the meeting was once again held in the Ballerup
Hall to accommodate the large number of Brethren who were in attendance
afterwards an enjoyable harmony was held in The Masonic Hall,
In 2005, the lodge was host to the annual St.Andrew
lodges gathering, where an exemplification of the Entered Apprentice degree was
a carried out by a team of reigning masters from the various St.Andrew lodges in
All the good and charitable intentions that inspired the founding
and earlier Brethren are still to the fore. During the good years and the hard
years and right up to the present day there have always been Brethren ready to
shoulder the burden.
Brethren may it always be so.