Lodge Douglas Silver Jubilee Menu and Ticket

Lodge Douglas Silver Jubilee Offic Bearers (click to enlarge)

Freemasonry in East Kilbride

East Kilbride may be a " NewTown" now but Freemasonry has flourished in the Village in some form or other for over two hundred and sixty years. We modern Masons tend to think that St.Andrews 524 was the first Lodge in East Kilbride. History however shows us that St.Andrews 524 was in fact the fourth Lodge to hold a Charter. The earlier Lodges being, firstly in 1738 "Kilbride Operatives" granted a Charter by Mother Kilwinning in that year, but lapsing in the early 1800’s. Lodge Montgomery Cunningham East Kilbride Kilwinning was next to obtain a Charter again from Mother Kilwinning. They survived only five years.

In 1831 the first Lodge to receive a Charter from the Grand Lodge of Scotland was "The Kilbride St. Andrew Kilwinning Lodge". This Lodge only survived 12 to 13 years and finally closed in 1843.

This brings us to "Modern Times" our good friends and Sponsor "St.Andrews 524" being formed in 1872. They carried the cause and principals of Freemasonry honourably from that date till the present.

The growth of our Town brought the inevitable growth in Craft Lodges, with the first, Lodge Douglas 1557 consecrated in June, 1959. Followed by Lodge Kil-Bryd 1667 in 1972 and the "Baby" Lodge McLaren 1688 being consecrated in 1974.

The four Lodges in the best principals of Freemasonry enjoy excellent relations with each other, with regular visitations, and social exchanges taking place.

We feel the best of Freemasonry has yet to come in East Kilbride and trust the four Lodges will accept the challenge which looms ahead and makes East Kilbride a credit to our Honourable Order.
 

The Ladies.

There is a story taken from one of Lodge Douglas Past Master’s (Arthur Crichton) Bumper Joke Book

Which tells of a reigning master’s wife who was awakened in the wee sma! hours of the morning by one of her young children crying. As she sat by the child’s bedside trying to soothe the wee one, the kiddie piped up "Will you tell me a story Mammy?" "wait till your Faither comes in hen and he’ll tell us baith a story" replied the Mother.

This story epitomises to us, the Loyalty, the Understanding but also the sometimes desperate Frustration of the "Masonic Widow". It takes a special kind of woman to put up with the demands which Freemasonry makes upon her husband and therefore upon her own domestic requirements. It’s a situation which has caused many domestic rows, and no doubt caused many Brethren to give up their Masonic Commitments, and as Women demand (Quite Rightly) a greater share of the social and recreational life available it has not become any easier with the passing years.

The best way we can repay the Ladies for all their help and support is to ensure that the end product of our Lodge is worthy of their sacrifice and to ensure that the Social Calendar of the Lodge is geared to appreciate the contribution of the Women.

Brother Tom Millican P.M.

Lodge Lewis No.872 (Whitehaven)

English Constitution.

As an English Freemason, I have many impressions of Lodge Douglas. The first must be the warm and genuine welcome which greets "All" visitors even the "Auld Enemy".

The excellence of the ceremonial work is also worthy of a mention. I make no apologies for admitting that my bias is in Lodge Douglas’s favour, the discipline of their floorwork matches anything I have seen elsewhere.

From an excellent foundation the Lodge has grown in stature during the years and I trust that the "Great Architect" will watch over you and guide all your endeavours for many more years to come.