In 1972, a conversation took place between a prominent member of the congregation of St Margaret's Church, Ingol, Preston, and the Vicar of the Church, both of whom were Freemasons and members of different lodges meeting in Preston.  Their names were W. Bro. Sydney Lucas and Bro. The Rev. Simon L. Owen.  This conversation was prompted by an idea that had, for quite some time, been in the mind of W. Bro. Lucas, which was that of founding a new lodge which would draw its support from members of the Church, who were also members of the Craft, as well as other Masons who resided in Ingol and surrounding districts.

Syd Lucas, who was already a prominent member of Olympia Lodge No.6812, set about building a basis of interest for the new lodge and gathered around him a group of enthusiastic Brethren which totalled 29 who became founders of the lodge.  They came from 15 lodges, mostly in Preston, but also from Liverpool and Blackpool (it is interesting to record that one of the founders was a member of Lodge of St Margaret No.4619, Liverpool).  A majority, however, belonged to Olympia Lodge which agreed to be the sponsoring lodge.  A considerable amount of preparatory work was entailed and required visits to the Provincial Grand Lodge Office in Liverpool.  Syd Lucas, who was soon joined by W. Bro. Arthur Lane as secretary to the founders, along with Simon Owen, John Wilkinson and several others, undertook many of these tasks.  The founders' preliminary meetings were held in the Scout Hut at St Margaret's Church, which was kindly made available by the local Scout Troop. 

It was decided that the name of the new lodge should be 'Ingol Lodge of St Margaret' which would reflect both the locality, and the name of the church, from which its main support had originally been derived.  The number allocated to the new lodge by Grand Lodge was 8544, and it became the 503rd Lodge in the Province of West Lancashire.  It was the unanimous wish of the founders that the first Worshipful Master should be Bro. Sydney Lucas in recognition of his having been the instigator of the idea for the new lodge.  The first Senior Warden was Bro. The Rev. S. L. Owen and the first Junior Warden was W. Bro. John Wilkinson.

The date for the Consecration of the lodge was fixed for Monday, 13th May 1974, at the Masonic Temple, Saul Street, Preston.  The founders assembled in the morning for practice under the guidance of the Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies, W. Bro. A.F. Ferris Dep.G.D.C.  The ceremony in the afternoon was conducted by R. Wor. Bro. Sir Knowles Edge Bt., Provincial Grand Master for West Lancashire, and was attended by many distinguished Brethren from various parts of the Province.  The installation of Bro. S. Lucas as Worshipful Master was conducted by V. Wor. Bro. The Rev. R.K. Leigh P.G.Chap., Deputy Provincial Grand Master.

A sumptuous festive board followed in the evening, the menu consisting of 7 courses.

A notable event during the lodge's first year was the dedication of the lodge banner which was held at the meeting on Wednesday, 2nd April 1975, the ceremony being led by W. Bro. Dr. D. J. Davies P.S.G.D.,Asst Prov. Grand Master.  The banner was designed and made by Bro. Denis Ainsworth who, with Bro. J. S. Cross presented it to the lodge.  It was, therefore, appropriate that they were the banner escorts during the ceremony.  Bro. Ainsworth was, incidentally, the lodge's first initiate.

The lodge has continued to prosper and in 1999 celebrated its 25th anniversary.  It has maintained a steady membership over the years of around 30 and, presently, has 29 subscribing members, and one honorary member, W. Bro. W. D. Fairclough P.J.G.D., who was, in fact, the Consecrating Provincial Senior Grand Warden.

Of the 29 founders 6 are still active and attend regularly.  W. Bro. Lucas, who celebrated 50 years in Freemasonry on 11th May 2000, was honoured on that occasion by being promoted to the rank of P.Pr.S.G.W. at a special ceremony in his mother lodge, Olympia.  He continues to give his full support to Ingol Lodge of St. Margaret No.8544,  which owes so much to his initiative and guidance since its inception.

W. Bro. S. Lucas P.Pr.S.G.W., First Worhipful Master of Ingol Lodge of
St. Margaret (photo taken 2nd May 2001)



A photograph taken at the Installation meeting on 2nd May 2001 of the Worshipful Master
Bro. A. E. Packer P.Pr.D.G.Supt.Wks., together with six of the Founders of the lodge.
They are (from left) W. Bro. H. S. Owen, W. Bro. S. Lucas, W. Bro. C Archer, Worshipful Master, W. Bro. B. F. Sandall (Master Elect), W. Bro. J. Wilkinson and W. Bro. W. Calderban

 

Ingol Lodge of St. Margaret No.8544

meets at Ashlar House, Saul Street, Preston

on the Second Thursday, September to May
(Installation - May)

for further information please e-mail the following

secretary@lodge8544.co.uk