Freemasonry

Freemasonry consists of fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local fraternities of stonemasons, which from the end of the fourteenth century regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities and clients. The degrees of freemasonry retain the three grades of medieval craft guilds, those of Apprentice, Journeyman or fellow (now called Fellowcraft), and Master Mason. These are the degrees offered by Craft (or Blue Lodge) Freemasonry. Members of these organisations are known as Freemasons or Masons. There are additional degrees, which vary with locality and jurisdiction, and are usually administered by different bodies than the craft degrees.

The basic, local organisational unit of Freemasonry is the Lodge. The Lodges are usually supervised and governed at the regional level (usually coterminous with either a state, province, or national border) by a Grand Lodge or Grand Orient. There is no international, world-wide Grand Lodge that supervises all of Freemasonry; each Grand Lodge is independent, and they do not necessarily recognise each other as being legitimate.

WBro Campbell Wallace appears on the BBC News – News from Oldham District

Builders

WBro Campbell Wallace of Werneth Lodge No 6163 appeared on the BBC morning news on Thursday 7th April to talk about organ donation. He received two lungs 3 years ago after being diagnosed with end stage emphysema. He seemed in fine form as he raised awareness of the need to consider registering as an organ donor. Being a registered donor is not automatic, unlike in Wales where it is assumed you will be a donor unless you opt out.

FREEMASONRY IN THE EARLY 1600 AND 1700

Bro. W.J. Hughan

There is such an abundance of evidence in proof of the continuity of Freemasonry during the period selected, that it is only necessary to study the special records of the old Lodges, happily still preserved, the Rolls of the “Old Charges”, and especially the extant minutes of the Masons’ Company of London, to be assured that the Freemasons of the present day are the lineal descendants of the operative builders, who in the 17th century, and earlier, admitted speculative or non-professional members.

Dr Robert Thomas Crucefix

Dr Robert Thomas Crucefix (1797–1850), JGD

An English Freemason, distinguished for his services to the Craft. Robert Thomas Crucefix, M.D., I·.D., was born in Holborn, England, in the year 1797, and received his education at Merchant Tailors’ School. After leaving school, he became the pupil of Doctor Chamberlayne, a general and celebrated practitioner of his day, at Clerkenwell ; he afterward became a student at Saint Bartholomew’s Hospital and was a pupil of the celebrated Abernethy.

Worcestershire Provincial Grand Chapter

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Friday 3rd June saw 35 Companions in attendance at the Chapter Installation Convocation. The Provincial Team, led by the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E. Comp. Colin P. T. Brown, comprised the Second Provincial Grand Principal, E. Comp. John Phenix with E. Comp. Derek Own acting as the Third. Their escort was E. Comp. Jeff Whiteley, Prov.A.G.D.C.

ROSSLYN CHAPEL – The Apprentice Pillar

Aprentice Pillar

Of the many mysteries and legends which envelop Rosslyn Chapel few can be so well known as that surrounding the ‘Apprentice’ Pillar. The legend concerns the murdered apprentice with its overt references to the initiation rituals of ancient guilds of stonemasons which stretch back to the murder of Hiram Abif


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