Magherally Masonic Hall

An Occasional Meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Down was held at Magherally on October 2, 1926, at four o’clock p.m., for the purpose of Consecrating and Dedicating a new Hall. The Provincial Grand Lodge assembled in the old Hall and opened on the first degree with the following officers:

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Past Master's Jewel

To be elected the Master of a Lodge is the highest honour the Lodge has in its power to confer on any of its members. When the Master’s period of office is completed he is presented with a Past Masters’ Jewel by the members of the Lodge, as a mark of esteem of his dedication and service to the Lodge over the past year.

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Roll of Honour

Displayed on a board in the Lodge room are the names, rank and Regiment of those members of Lodge 203 who fought in the two great wars. This board was erected in recognition of the service that they gave.

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Half Yearly Return

Originally returns from a Lodge were made to Grand Lodge half yearly; this is now done on an annual basis. In the month of October the Lodge elects its officers for the ensuing year and the return is forwarded to Grand Lodge in Dublin for their approval. Failure to make this annual return can result in a fine or suspension of the Warrant. Shown left is the return for Lodge 203 in 1832.

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Magherally Masonic Hall

An Occasional Meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Down was held at Magherally on October 2, 1926, at four o’clock p.m., for the purpose of Consecrating and Dedicating a new Hall. The Provincial Grand Lodge assembled in the old Hall and opened on the first degree with the following officers
   
Provincial Grand Master R.W. Bro. Col. R.G. Sharman Crawford CBE., DL., 33
Provincial Deputy Grand Master R.W. Bro. J.D. Williamson, MD., JP.
Provincial Senior Grand Warden V.W. Bro. Major R.E. McLean
Provincial Junior Grand Warden V.W. Bro. The Rt. Hon. Col. R.H. Wallace CB., (acting)
Provincial Grand Treasurer V.W. Bro. Bel Burrowes
Provincial Grand Secretary V.W. Bro. N.J. Price
Provincial Grand Chaplain W. Bros. Rev. D.D. Boyle MA & Rev. W.S. Kerr BD
Provincial Senior Grand Deacon W. Bro. George A Crickard
Provincial Junior Grand Deacon W. Bro. F. Arbuthnot
Provincial Grand Supt. Of Works W. Bro. W. Ledlie
Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies W. Bro. John Martin; Joseph Mitchell and Thomas Larmour
Provincial Grand Steward W. Bro. John Shanks
Provincial Grand Organist W. Bro. Edward S. Mills
Provincial Grand Inner Guard W. Bro. James T. McLean
Provincial Grand Inspector R.W. Bro. S.G. Fenton
   
The Lodge then proceeded to the new hall carrying the Masonic emblems in procession. On entering the new hall the Prov. Grand Lodge was reformed when the Roll was called and the attendances and apologies of Provincial Grand Lodge Officers recorded. The notice convening the meeting having been read the Ceremony of Dedication were carried through by the Provincial Grand Master and Grand Lodge Officers in accordance with ancient custom.
   
W. Bro. Rev. Crawford, Chaplain of the Lodge and W. Bro. Jas. McKeown then thanked the Grand Master and Officers of Grand Lodge for coming to Magherally. They also thanked those Lodges who had assisted in the Building Fund – Lodges in the Province of Down had subscribed £100 and other Lodges had assisted to the amount of £20; altogether a total of £700 had been raised and only a small debt of £200 remained.
   
They also desired to place on record their indebtedness to a late member of the Lodge, Bro. Knox, who had made a free gift of the site on which the Hall was built.
 
The Grand Lodge was closed according to ancient custom Peace, Love and Harmony prevailing.
 
A collection was received amounting to £11. 14s. 6d. [£11.721/2] which was handed over to the Treasurer of the Lodge. The Magherally brethren invited all present to remain for refreshment which was heartily appreciated.