Page 34 - EM-Issue-90

Online Supplement
90th Anniversary
Celebrations
Thundersley Lodge 5225

he conception of a Lodge in Thundersley can almost certainly be attributed
to Lt. Col Richard Mark Lockwood (later Lord Lambourne) the Provincial
TGrand Master of the Province of Essex 1901-1928 on an official visit to the
Thundersley Parish Council in 1913. However, the First World War intervened
and prevented the formation of the new Lodge. There was however renewed
interest after the War by three very keen local Masons. With sponsorship from
the Lodge of True Friendship No. 160 (warranted 4th December 1766), a Charter
was granted and Thundersley Lodge was consecrated at the Masonic Hall, The
Broadway, Southend-on-Sea on Michaelmas Day, 29th September 1930. The
Consecrating Officers were made Honorary Members of the Lodge and after
the consecration, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, W. Bro Dr. J. H. Salter
installed W.Bro E. Kilburn as the first Master of Thundersley Lodge.
The first Regular meeting of Thundersley Lodge was held at the Weir Hotel in
Rayleigh in 1930. However, as the premises proved difficult to Tyle, future meetings
thereafter were held, by dispensation, at several local locations until 1957 when
finally, the Memorial Temple in Woodgrange Drive was established, of which
Thundersley Lodge was a Founder Member. The innovation of stained glass
windows prompted the first Initiate to donate such a window adorned with the
Logo of the Lodge.
The Lodge is of the second generation of Lodges and its history can be traced back to the Strongman Lodge No. 45
(consecrated in 1733) which now meets at Great Queen’s Street, and which sponsored the Lodge of True Friendship.
This Lodge now meets at the Old Court House, Rochford and was a founding Lodge of Rochford Masonic Hall in 1981.
The Lodge is also a Hall Stone Lodge, having subscribed to the Masonic Million Memorial Fund. The Hall Stone Jewel
and the Collarette to which is attached was presented to the Lodge in June 1933 by the MW Grand Master, the Duke of
Connaught. Additionally, the Collar of the Worshipful Master is adorned with the Commemorative Jewel to acknowledge
the funds contributed by members towards a Fund that commemorates the preservation of Freemasonry through two
and a half centuries.
There is an historical connection between the Lodge and the Church of St Michael and St Peter in Thundersley. Its Rector
became the first Lodge Chaplain and to celebrate the consecration, a weather vane depicting the St Michael and St
Peter was presented to the Church. Thundersley Lodge has also been referred to as a “Teachers Lodge” taken from the
fact that in the Lodge’s early history, there have been eight Head Teachers from the District and a further five from within
the Teaching profession. Although the close connection with the Church of St Peter is now less strong, the model of the
Church is always displayed at the Secretary’s Table at all Installation meetings in memory of the first Lodge Chaplain.
A Lodge Masonic Charities Association was formed in 1931 and the Lodge has been a keen supporter of charities ever
since. The Lodge is a Patron of the Royal Masonic Hospital, the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution and the Masonic

Trust for Girls and Boys and is also a Founder Lodge for the Southend Masonic Centre.
The Lodge is also proud that one Past Master, W.Bro A J Fowles FRIBA PPGSuptWks, was the Honorary Architect to the
Masonic Temple during its conversion from the original Church premises. He also donated towards the cost of installing
twelve illuminated stained glass windows depicting the crests of 44 Lodges that met at the Southend Memorial Temple.
These were transferred later to Saxon Hall.
In May 1939, a Notice of Motion was accepted that Thundersley Lodge support the foundation of a Royal Arch Chapter,
but the start of World War II caused a delay of 12 years. Thundersley Chapter was eventually consecrated on 25th

October 1951.
The Golden Jubilee was celebrated on 22nd January 1981 at the Memorial Temple Southend, attended by the PGM RW
Bro F W R Leistikow and the Provincial Grand Chaplin who carried out the re-dedication of the Lodge Banner. In May
1981, W.Bro Harold Abraham gifted the Lodge a beautiful olive wood gavel from the Holy Land to commemorate the
milestone, which is still used by the Worshipful Master today.
The Diamond Jubilee was similarly celebrated with splendid lunch at the Southend Memorial Temple Woodgrange
Drive. This was followed by a Thanksgiving church service and Re-dedication, conducted by the Assistant Provincial

Grand Master, Reverend Stanley Conway-Lee on 30th September 1990 at the Westcliff United Reform Church.
Forty nine years later, due to deterioration and escalating maintenance costs, it was decided a new Masonic Centre was
needed. Southend Masonic Centre was opened on 4th January 2006 and Thundersley Lodge held their first meeting
here, at Saxon Hall, on 26th January 2006, to this day.