The first fifty year history of St. Osyth’s Priory Lodge No. 2063
Some time prior to November 1884 several brethren had felt that It was desirable that a Lodge should be formed at Clacton-on-Sea, and with the aid of some of the brethren from Arnold Lodge. No. 1799, at Walton-on-Naze, a petition was prepared and recommended in 1884. As a result, The St. Osyth’s Priory Lodge was consecrated on Tuesday, November 11th. 1884 in the Public Hall (was then part of Messrs. F. W. Lewellen and Co. premises) Pier Avenue. Clacton-on-Sca. Read More
A petition for the formation of another Craft Lodge to be known as the “Colvin Lodge” to meet at the Royal Hotel, Clacton-on-Sea, was signed in open Lodge on March 18th, 1932, by the W. Master, W. Bro. Dr. R. Jenner-Clarke, and his Wardens, Bros. H. W. Learoyd and H. G. Griggs, on the proposition of Bro. Commdr. H. J. Waller, seconded by W. Bro. H. W. Eldred. This was the second occasion on which a petition had been signed in St. Osyth’s Priory Lodge for the formation of a Craft Lodge in Clacton-on-Sea.
At the installation meeting held in October, 1931, W. Bro. P. J. Green retired from the secretaryship of the Lodge after 24 years service, owing to failing health. At the 48th Installation meeting held on October 21st, 1932, W. Bro. H. W. Learoyd, the new Master, appointed as his Junior Warden, Bro. Brig.-Gen. K. J. Kincaid-Smith, an office that he held for two years, until his installation as W.M. in October, 1934. The Rt. W. Prov. Grand Master, Brig.-Gen. Sir Richard B. Colvin, K.C.B., Lord Lieutenant for Essex, attended this latter meeting, and, after the Lodge had been opened in the second degree by W. Bro. J. W. Privett (the outgoing master) accepted the gavel and installed Bro. Brig. Gen. Kincaid-Smith into the Chair of K.S. according to ancient custom before a large number of brethren from the surrounding Lodge – no less than 42 Past Masters being present. Truly a fitting beginning for a new Master of the Lodge in its Jubilee year.
The first member of the Lodge to receive Grand Lodge honours was W. Bro. S. Wheeler, who was appointed P. Grand Std. Br. on April 15th, 1932. He was initiated in St. Osyth’s Priory Lodge on Friday, January 20th, 1905, by W. Bro. Dr. W. G. Murray, having previously been proposed by Bro. H. Weatherhead and seconded by Bro. A. P. V. Sansom. He received his first collar as a steward of the Lodge in 1907 and was installed as master in 1913. He was elected treasurer of the Lodge in 1925. In 1920 he was appointed secretary of Southcliff Lodge, No. 4230. He was exalted into Royal Arch Masonry in Coronation Chapter.
The R.W. Provincial Grand Master, Col. the Rt. Hon. Mark Lockwood, P.C., C.V.O., M.P., laid the Chief Corner Stone of the new Church of St. James’, Clacton-on-Sea, with full Masonic ceremony on November 5th, 1912, an especial Provincial Grand Lodge being holden for that purpose at the Winter Gardens. After lunch the Provincial Grand Lodge was opened, and the procession proceeded to the site in full Masonic regalia. The stone was duly laid by the Rt. Wor. Provincial Grand Master in the presence of a large number of brethren. On this occasion, St. Osyth’s Priory Lodge presented a Volume of the Sacred Law to Bro. the Rev. L. Butler for the use of the new Church. In February, 1914, the Lodge passed a resolution in the following terms :” That in future the Lodge hold eight meetings in the year, viz. the third Friday in January. February, March, April, May, June, October and November.
The Installation meeting to be held on the third Friday in October Instead of September.” (We have since added December and dropped May, June.) Twenty Guineas was voted to the Prince of Wales’ National Relief Fund to relieve acute distress caused through the Great War at a meeting of the Lodge held on October 16th, 1914. Banquets were deferred on this and subsequent Lodge nights as a consequence of the war.
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