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Preston’s Masonic Hall is celebrating its 80th anniversary since it first opened on Saul Street.
Despite this freemasons have been active in the city for much longer, since 1775 when the Lodge of Justice moved and met at the Turks Head on Church Street. More lodges followed, meeting in inns and taverns across Preston.
It was not until 1944 that the city had its first and only Masonic Hall.
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By the late 1800s, all lodges had commenced together at the Bull and Royal Hotel.
During the Second World War, the rations allocated for the Bull and Royal provided for 14 masonic lodges with a total of over 1000 members meeting and dining each month.
However, in 1941, Masons found that at the end of their meetings, meals were not being provided for them. The Bull and Royal had taken the decision to serve food that was intended for the Masons to the general public and the officer in charge of rationing took no action.
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In September 1941, Sid Howarth, who was the Mayor of Preston and Master of Preston Guild Lodge had ‘had enough’. He pulled his lodge out of the Bull and Royal and they started to dine at the Knowsley Arms, which is now the Stanley Arms. Most lodges moved to the Guild Hall instead.
At the same time, Sid created the Preston Masonic Hall Fund to raise money for the creation of a Masonic Hall in Preston. He formed a committee involving many other lodges based in the city.
Attention focussed on existing buildings that could be redeveloped into a Masonic Hall.
In 1943, the Saul Street Primitive Methodist Church, which was no longer in use, was identified as a suitable location as it also had a school attached.
The church and school, together with two cottages were purchased by the Masons for around £3500 (£200,00 today).
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Work began to convert the chapel, using pieces of furniture which are still used to this very day. Theatre chairs were bought brand new from Gaumont Kalee and were arranged around the Masonic Floor.
The inaugural meeting was held on 31 August 1944 to officially open the new Preston Masonic Hall.
Commercial Travellers Lodge had the honour of being the first to hold a meeting in the new hall on 2 September 1944.
After World War Two, the interest in freemasonry and membership grew rapidly. A decision was made in 1955 to redevelop the Saul Street location where two more cottages attached to the building were bought for more space. They also bought Armstrong’s Soap Works.
The cottages and Soap Works were demolished which allowed the development of a new build on that footprint. Work was completed in 1956.
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While the Masons used the new building, the old chapel was demolished. This redevelopment permitted the creation of the two Lodge Rooms in use today.
The George Bath Suite reutilised the very old masonic furniture brought from the Bull and Royal as well as the Gaumont Kelee theatre chairs.
A larger Lodge Room, the Percy Goldberg Suite is next door. All the masonic furniture for this room was made especially for it in the late 1950s by local craftsmen. It is one of the largest Masonic meeting rooms in Lancashire.
On the ground floor of this development, the space was utilised to create a magnificent Art Deco Ballroom.
The facilities of Preston Masonic Hall are open for public use, for events such as weddings, parties and meetings.
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This year, Preston Masonic Hall was voted for by the public to be one of Heritage Open Days 30th anniversary gallery locations. It will be open to the public on 7 September.
The 80th anniversary could not pass without a major celebration.
Saturday 28 September will see an anniversary ball, open to everyone, with ‘good food and music’.
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