Lodge History
Freemasonry in the 1800’s was thriving, especially within the areas of Portsmouth, Gosport and Fareham, mainly due to the multitude of service and ex service personnel within the area. For a number of years previous to 1886, the Lodge members of Gosport Lodge No. 903, had discussed the forming of a Military or Service Lodge for the convenience of the resident Brethren who were serving or retired on pension from HM Naval or Military services. On Monday 1st March 1886, an extraordinary meeting was held at the Railway Hotel Forton, Gosport by members of:
- Gosport Lodge 903,
- Loyalty Lodge 358,
- Albany Lodge 151
- United Service Lodge 1428
After a lengthy discussion it was agreed that a petition should be sent to the Most. Worshipful The Grand Master HRH ALBERT EDWARD, PRINCE OF WALES (KING EDWARD VII), praying that a warrant of constitution may be granted empowering the petitioners to meet as a Regular Lodge. It was further agreed that the Lodge should be called “The Lodge of Hope ” and that it would meet at the “India Arms Hotel ” Gosport on the third Wednesday of each month. The petition was sent to the Provincial Grand Secretary and signed by 31 Brethren who were all past or present members of HM Naval or Military services, Nominations, from the members present at the meeting, of 1st March 1886, for Principal Officers were: WM. W Bro Francis Powell – SW. W Bro W Green – JW. Bro T Stretton.
It was agreed that the Founders Fee would be £1 10s 0d = £1.50 in Decimal. Which would include the first year’s subscription.
On 8th May 1886 the then Secretary, Bro William Pawsey, received the Warrant from Grand Lodge and invitations were issued. 4 days later on 12th May 1886, a meeting was convened at the Thorngate Hall, Gosport at 2.30pm for the purpose of Consecrating, Constituting and Dedicating the Lodge of Hope 2153 on the Register of the Grand Lodge of England. The Consecration was performed by The Rt Worshipful Brother Beach MP, the Provincial Grand Master. The PGM was then elected as an Honorary Member. Even back then we knew which side our bread was buttered.
On 19th May 1886 the first Regular meeting was held at the “India Arms Hotel” Gosport. It was conducted by the first Worshipful Master – W Bro Francis Powell. The Lodge By Laws stated that only Members or Ex Members of the forces may be admitted.
During the first year, the Lodge founded a “Jubilee Fund” to be known as the “Lodge of Hope Queens Jubilee Fund” (in readiness of the Queen’s Jubilee in 1887) and all members of the Lodge, their wives, families and friends were eligible for membership. They gave sixpence per quarter. The following institutions were then supported by the Fund:
- Hants & IOW Masonic Educational & Benevolent Institution
- The Royal Masonic Benevolent Trust
- The Royal Masonic Institute for Girls
- The Royal Masonic Institute for Boys
The design for the Lodge Breast Jewel and Crest was agreed to be a figure of “hope” as a centre motif and the motto being IN TE DOMINE SPERAVIMUS – (In You oh Master we hoped). The Motto was changed in 1900 to IN DEO SPESNOSTRA – (Our Hope Is In God)
In 1946 the membership totalled 424, which due to its Sheer size was starting to cause a problem. To solve this Two Daughter Lodges were petitioned to be formed.
- Royal Marine Portsmouth Lodge No. 6423 Consecrated on 23rd April 1947
- St Thomas Lodge No.6574 Consecrated on 27th February 1948.
Both Lodges were strongly supported by the Lodge of Hope and the close relationship has existed ever since. The continued success of the Lodge and the continued requirement of Brethren wishing to progress lead to two more daughter Lodges being formed.
- Taveners Lodge No. 7442 consecrated on 26th June 1956 and
- Charles Dickens Lodge N0. 8597 consecrated on 30th September 1973.
Many Lodges are formed from Daughter, Sister and Mother Lodges. Lodge of Hope can trace its origins back to Royal Sussex Lodge No.342, who still meet to this day at the Purbrook Masonic Centre
Founders
| Name | Name | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| W.Bro Francis Powell PM PPGPurs | Bro David E. Batson | ||
| W.Bro John Wilson PM PGSwdB | Bro Edward Jewel | ||
| W.Bro William Miller PM PGD | Bro Edward M. Buck | ||
| W.Bro G. F. Lancaster PM PGReg | Bro Joseph J. Bate | ||
| W.Bro R. W. Downing PM PGStwd | Bro R. Thomas Nicholls | ||
| W.Bro Rev R. Measham PPGChap | Bro Robert King | ||
| W.Bro William Green PM (Irish Const) | Bro George Turner | ||
| Bro Thomas Stretton | Bro Thomas Adams | ||
| Bro William Issac Pawsey | Bro George Burnett | ||
| Bro Thomas Pearson | Bro Joseph Beams | ||
| Bro Edward S. Innes | Bro John Hicken | ||
| Bro James G. Williams | Bro William Cotton | ||
| Bro Thomas W. Holdstock | Bro George Dunbar |
