The Grosvenor Lodge of Mark Masters was consecrated on the 16th March 1872 at the Caledonian Hotel Adelphi by V W Bro Frederick Binckes the Grand Secretary. The new Lodge was added to the roll of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex and Surrey.
The Lodge was formed in the 35th year of Queen Victoria’s reign and at the time, the practice of the Mark degree was gaining momentum under the guidance of Mark Grand Lodge, which had been formed sixteen years earlier in 1856.
The events which led to the founding of Grosvenor Mark Lodge can only be surmised as the records covering this period have not survived. It is clear however, that the Lodge derived from the Grosvenor Craft Lodge No 1257 which was consecrated in 1869 and is a matter of record that both Lodges have founders in common.
Further, the roll of Masters of the Craft Lodge reveals that eight of their number were also Masters of the Mark Lodge, the last being W Bro Christopher Spashett in 1901.
From the early 1900’s the association between the two Lodges diminished and with the passing of W Bro Spashett in 1947, the knowledge and the original ties appear to have been lost to both Lodges. The link came to light again, too late to be recorded in the history of the Craft Lodge when their Centenary was celebrated in 1969.
The Grosvenor Mark Lodge was sponsored by the Macdonald Lodge of MM No 104 in all probability at the instigation of the Mark Grand Director of Ceremonies W Bro Hammerton who whilst Master of Macdonald Lodge became the Founding Master of Grosvenor.
The early years were beset with misfortune when three of the founders died. Charles Parker Ward died during his year as the second Master. The Rev W.B. Church, Grand Chaplain in 1870, also died in 1873 and John Lowenthall, another founder, died three years later.
The Centenary, celebratory meeting was held at the Café Royal, London W.1
On Thursday the 18th of May 1972, with 28 Members and 36 Guests at the subsequent Banquet.
The lodge has met and dined at many different locations in its 150-year existence In the very early years meetings were held at Caledonian Hotel according to the records this ceased in September 1874
Listed below are the various meeting places along the way
- 1872 – 1874 - Caledonian Hotel WC.1
- 1874 – 1913 - Café Royal, Regent Street. WC.1
- 1913 – 1919 - Princess Restaurant WC.1
- 1919 – 1924 - Imperial Restaurant WC.1
- 1924 – 1951 - Mark Masons Hall, 71 Kingsway WC2
- 1951 – 1971 - Dominions Hotel, Lancaster Gate W.2
- 1971 – 1977 - Windsor Hotel, Lancaster Gate W.2
- 1977 – 1979 - Mark Masons Hall, 40 Upper Brook Street
- 1979 – 1982 - Mark Masons Hall, 86 St James Street
- 1982 – 1996 - Harrow District Masonic Centre
- 1996 – Continues - Twickenham District Masonic Centre
After recent uncertainty as to the lodge’s future, it was decided the Lodge is too valuable to lose. Grosvenor is the 2nd oldest lodge in Middlesex and pre-dates the formation of Middlesex Province which is why we are entitled to call ourselves ‘Mark Masters’.
For 150 years a crest has adorned the Lodge summons. Research established the crest to be virtually, but not quite identical, to the family coat of arms of the Duke of Westminster.
Enquiries were made to the Duke’s private secretary to seek formal authorisation to permit the proposed Lodge Banner to display the family crest. After deliberation the 7th Duke of Westminster agreed that we could use his correct coat of arms on our lodge banner. We were immensely gratified by the ducal approval, and that this Lodge continues its association; the origins and reasons for this connection, having been long lost in the 150 years, that have passed since consecration.
Enquiries were then made to Mark Masons Hall to see if they would approve the proposed design, and after consultation with the Grand Secretary the Banner was approved. Bro. Ramesh Parmar who is currently the senior Warden of the lodge, knew of a company that could produce the banner and he has since had this manufactured. Bro. Parmar has very kindly presented the banner to the lodge as a gift, for which we are all very grateful.
With the recent influx of Members, the lodge can grow back to its former glory days.