The
Royal Preston Chapter was granted a Warrant by Supreme
Grand Chapter in 1821. The Chapter had an apparently
chequered existence until the early 1860’s. There
were five Chapters in Preston during this period and
from what little is known they must all have had their
problems, as in 1861 three of the five were erased by
Supreme Grand Chapter. These were Unanimity, Concord
and Preston Chapter of Philanthropy. The remaining Chapters
continuing working were Royal Architect Chapter No 314
and Royal Preston Chapter No 333.
The
Royal Preston Chapter was unable to provide proof of
continuity of working until 1881, which year forms the
basis of the Centenary. The original number given to
the Chapter was 636, being the number of Royal Preston
Lodge at that time. I subsequently went through two
other changes and in 1863 it became the present number
333.
Information
on the early days is scant, with the first Minute Book
being noted as missing as long ago as 1866. Minute books
and Subscription Ledgers are to hand from 1866 together
with copies of certain returns from 1860. Correspondence
has not generally been retained. The standard of calligraphy
in the Minute Books and other documents has varied from
beautiful to almost impossible and the contents have
also varied with the overriding tendency to report what
had previously been written and leave out matters of
import.
In
the first ninety years the venue for the meetings in
Preston changed several times. In 1866 the Chapter moved
from the Bull Hotel to the King’s Arms Hotel, Church
Street. In 1878 the Chapter moved from the King’s
Arms Hotel to the Castle Hotel, Market Place. In 1887
the Chapter was on the move again, this time to the Mess
Rooms, Starkie Street, returning to the Castle Hotel
in 1893 and finally moving to the Bull and Royal Hotel
in 1900.
The
Royal Preston Chapter celebrated its Centenary at The
Masonic Temple, Saul Street, Preston on 1 October 1981. The
Principals on that occasion were “Z”–Joseph
Collier, “H”–Leslie Braithwaite and “J”–Kenneth
Mason. The Chapter was honoured by the attendance of
the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, Comp A F Ferris
who was accompanied by the Deputy Grand Superintendent,
E Comp R Trevor Evans P G S N.
Royal
Preston Chapter No.333
Meets at Preston Masonic Hall,
Ashlar House, Saul Street, Preston
on the fourth Thursday in the Months of
February, April, October and December.
The Installation meeting is in April.
For further information send an e-mail to the following link
webmaster@prestongroup.org.uk
