The
Lodge of Erskine History
The
Lodge of Erskine History
The Lodge of Erskine was founded in 1960. Click here to find out who the founding members were.
The idea that a Masonic Lodge be founded at Erskine was first formulated in the minds of a group of Master Masons in Erskine Hospital in May 1959. The proposal received so much support that a Charter was granted by the Grand Lodge of Scotland to The lodge of Erskine, numbering 1566, on the 4th of February, 1960. The consecration ceremony took place on Saturday, 23rd April 1960, in Old Erskine Parish Church Hall, Bishopton, when the first master, Brother Daniel Harper, was installed in office.
The brethren then began the hard work of raising funds, obtaining premises, making furniture and jewels and preparing regalia. It was agreed that the lodge colours would be thistle green and Erskine tartan. The first premises were the old Erskine Parish Church halls in Bishopton.
Many of the items required to hold our meetings were either donated or made by the brethren themselves, along with many gifts from sister lodges.
With Lodge Captain Speirs no 791 and Lodge Inchinnan no 1405 acting as sponsors and with the support of the PGLRE a Charter was granted by the GLOS to the Lodge of Erskine 1566 on the 4th of February 1960. The consecration ceremony took place in the old Erskine Parish Church hall Bishopton by the RWPGM Brother Robert MacMenemey as RWM.
On the 27th may 1960 at our first meeting, Lodge Georgetown Cardonald No. 1170 conferred the EA degree on five candidates.
For the next few years founder members took the chair until October 1967 when Brother William Shackleton (pictured) became RWM and his installing masters were all of the six previous masters!
Those early years in Bishopton were happy years with all the brethren striving to build up the lodge then in 1971… a body blow… the church hall was to be sold, and the brethren were without a hall..
After much searching Lodge Inchinnan no 1405 came to our rescue by allowing us the use of their very fine temple in Inchinnan. In October 1972 our first meeting in Inchinnan took place. At this time Brother Mervyn Spencer was installed as RWM. The regular Lodge meetings were from then on the second Thursday of every month.
The Lodge Crest
The lodge crest, is unique and consists of three parts, the Cannon, the Wheat Sheaf, and the Staff and Serpent.
The cannon alludes to the military connection of the lodge by its founder members, and to the connections with the Royal Ordnance Factory.
The wheat sheaf alludes to the agricultural tradition in Bishopton.
The staff and serpent alludes to the Erskine Hospital, where the ex service men, among the original founders and members, worked and lived after serving their country.
In 1985, we celebrated our 25th anniversary. The rededication ceremony was conducted by Brother Alan G Hutton the PGM of RE with Brother David stark as the RWM.
In 1997 Brother Victor Petre became the first PM to take the chair for the second time.
In October 1999 Brother Robert Bell of Lodge Neptune No 419 became the first affiliate to take the chair of King Solomon.
Throughout our short and brief history we have received much support from PGLRE where in the past Brother W. Kinninmonth PM and Brother K Ross PM served with distinction. Brother GA Birkett PM until recently served as a member of PGLRE. Brother John Kerr PM continues with this tradition.
Brother Dave Stark PM is our Almoner; our present RWM is Brother J Glen and our IPM is Bro. R Bogle
October 2009 will be the start of our 50th Anniversary and details will follow in the new year.