Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Opening Of The New Masonic Hall In Sheffield.
OPENING OF THE NEW MASONIC HALL IN SHEFFIELD .
PROM THE SHEFFIELD AXD ROTHERHAM INDEPENDENT . THE old Masonio Hall in Surrey-street , which was formerly the Savings Bunk , having become quite inadequate to the wants ot the Freemasous of Sheffield , a new and handsome Hall has been built on the old site , and the work has just been completed . The Hall , which is in the classical style of architecture , contains on tho ground floor a banqueting room , 51 feet long , 26 feet wide , aud 15 feet high ,
and is lighted by double wiudows of plate glass , the inner ones being ombossed and ornamented with Masonic emblems . This is entered from premises lately occupied by Mr . Sherwin , by a convenient approach . A serving window is in direct communication with the kitchens . The entire site of the new Hall has been cellared , aud arrangements have been made by which all the furniture from the
banqueting room can be lowered thereto , thus leaving the room a clear floor in cases of need . The Lodge-room , which is over the banqueting-room , is 51 feet long , 26 feet wide , and 24 feet high ,- having an arched root , springing from a cornice running round the room , ornamented with moulded ribs and panels , and carved bosses . Tho walls are relieved with columns , which havo foliated capitals
springing from ornamental corbels , from which the ribs in the roof form one continuous line . The whole of the fittings are of pitch pine , slightly stained and varnished , which produce a very pleasing effect . The east end is occupied by a raised dais of three steps , aud along the north and south sides runs a raised platform , so that a double row of chairs can be placed , and the brethren occupying the back seats
be enabled to both see and hear with comfort . At the west end , provision has been made to receive an organ , which has been erected by the eminent makers , Messrs . Brindley and Foster , of Sheffield , and of this instrument several professional brethren speak very highly . Both rooms are lighted by very chaste chandeliers , aud are warmed by hot water , on the most improved principles , and ventilated on
Tobin ' s system . In addition to these two rooms , there are on the ground floor a club-room , commodious kitchens , lavatory , & c . On the first floor , one good sized room ( which has , during the erection of the new Hall , been used as a temporary Lodge-room ) , a convenient cloak-room , and a wide passage with a broad flight of stairs leading
to the Lodge-room . On the second floor are several rooms , affording accommodation for a resident Tyler , The Hall has been built by the Masonic Hall Company Limited , whose capital is £ 10 , 000 , and it is the intentiou of the Company to mako it , internally at least , one of the most handsome and complete buildings of its kind in the
Pro-. The Hall was formally opened on Wednesday by Lient .. Col . Sir Henry Edwards , Bart ., D . L ., the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire , Provincial Grand Lodge being held in the Hall . There wore present—the Worshipful Deputy Provincial Grand Master , T . VV . Tew , J . P ., Dr . Cox ( London ) , Dr .
Bartolome , Bro . Gill ( Mayor of Wakefield ) , the Rev . F . W . Bagshawe , several distinguished brethren from neighbouring provinces and a company numbering nearly 250 . Mr . Tallis Trimnell presided at the organ , and Bro . T . Collinson was the Director of Ceremonies . Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened in usual form . Sir Henry Edwards , Bart ., said : Brethren , in addressing this
brilliant assembly of tho members of the Craft in West Yorkshire , the first part of my agreeable duty to-day is to ackuowledge in the most cordial manner your hoarty reception of your Provincial Grand Master . 1 am again reminded of the welcome this Prov . Grand Lodge met with in Octooer A . D . 1875 , from the Wentworth Lodge . To that admirable and select Lodge 1 expressed my obligations and those
of this Provincial Grand Lodgo for the use of a building accorded to that gathering of Freemasons , but which was not a Masonic edifice . I ventured to remark that 1 trusted thut the Lodges in Sheffield might at no distant time be able to hold their meetings , as well as their invitations to Provincial Graud Lodge , iu commodious premises of their own , dedicated solely to Freemasonry , aud befitting the status
and increasing influence of the Craft in this busy town of mechanical industry . Allow me , as the next part of my duty , to thank the Britannia Lodge , the second oldest in the Province , under whose banner we labour to-day , for their invitation to inaugurate the completion of an important work , and for the excellent preparations the brethren here have made for the reception of this Provincial Grand
Lodge . Our meeting to-day is the completion of the hope expressed in the Wentworth Lodge iu 1875 , the construction of a Masonic Hall well worthy of the Craft in Sheffield , and wc congratulate the united Lodges on their energy , their wealth , and their skill , which , in two years , have produced this magnificent temple , fraught as I believe such a work must be in advantages and benefits identified with the
future of this district . It would border on ingratitude aud negation if 1 did not embiuce this opportunity ot personally ottering my tribute of praise that the aspiiatkiiis ot 1875 have become practical reuliues in 1677 . The auspicious occasion which has brought- us togethe . within these new walls wouid be incomplete without some briel mention of the circumstances which have led to their reconstruction ,
and tne history ot Freemasonry in Shvttield , the statistics tor whifi have In-en kiiiii . y siu paed mu by uiy worthy uoputv ain . luUn .-r lueiu ' oo , oi . ho Crr t in Eht-llield . Shciiie ' . d has a ilasumo history , of which th , members of the thiee Lodges may feci proud . Tho history is not oi yesterday . It extends ovc a series of past jeas ; and thi ; hibtory is associated not only with Masonic events aud transactions , but of Imperial significance . Tho brecureu of Hallauishht
have lor many generations , by the magnitude oi iuiportunt mechanical industries , earned enduring honour by building up England .-greatness . Your mighty appliances for htavy works have eiioitei tliu auuiiration of lureigu criiics , and your machinery aud aduptaui architecture have equally gratified the visitor , whatever may hav . been his tastes , feelings , or proclivities . The Masonio bodies ii Sheffield consist , I may say lor the information of the Craft in general ,
Opening Of The New Masonic Hall In Sheffield.
of three Craft Lodges , Nos . 139 , 296 , and 1239 , numbering about 300 brethren , including 35 Past Masters . There are besides two Royal Arch Chapters and a Rose Croix , a Mark Mason ' s Lodge , a Preceptory of Knights Templar , a Conclave of Knights of Red Cross of Rome aud Constantine , and a Sanctuary of Knights of the Holy Sepulchre and St . John tho Evangelist , together with a Priory of Knights of Malta .
There aro two remarkable coincidences of similarity in connection with the meeting places of the two oldest Lodges in West Yorkshire , one which , in July 1738 , met at the Crown and Rose , Halifax ; and " The Britannia , " under whose banner we meet to-day , whioh on 19 th April 1765 , was first unfurled at the Rose aud Crown , Sheffield ; and it was called "The Rose and Crown , " but changed its name to
" Britannia" on 8 th April 1795 . With the exception of the first two years the minutes of this Lodgo are perfect . Iu 1861 it established itself in a Hall devoted exclusively to Freemasonry , and upon the old foundations the present magnificent edifice has been rebuilt for the Masouic Hall of the United Lodges . The Royal Brunswick Lodge was constituted in due form 28 th July 1794 . Tho ceremony of
dedicatiou concluded with a liberal subscription to the Poor Girls' Charity School . Ou the 4 th October 1798 , tho Britannia Lodge and the other brethren from all the Lodges dedicated and opened , in solemn form , in the presence of Lords Fitzwilliam and Galway and a distinguished company , the General Infirmary here , a lasting monument of benevolent usefulness . In
identification with thi 3 noblo Institution I must mention the name of Bro . Dr . Bartolome . In the minute book of Britannia Lodgo , 17 th February 1775 , is the consideration of a proposal for the establishmemt of a Lodge at Rotnerham . On the 10 th March , tho Rotherham petitioners were informed that , " as they have irregularly dared to make a Mason without formal powers , they are unworthy the counten .
ance of Britannia Lodge . " I am proud to inform the Province that in 1808 a Lodge was opened , and in 1860 or 1861 Bro . Bentley Shaw re-consecrated , at Rotherham , the Phoenix Lodge , No . 904 , which is now not the least prosperous or least loyal amongst the 63 Lodges of this Province , and I hope on some future occasion for an opportunity to pay my personal respects to its excellent W . M ., and Bro . Fawcetfe
and his brethren . In 1797 , Mr . Scott proposed to build a Lodge room suitable for the Britannia Lodge . In June 1799 , Bro . Chad , wick preached a sermon before the brethren in St . Peter ' s Church for this purpose , and it was resolved that every brother absent , except being sick , should inoar a pecuniary penalty . In 1798 , tho brethren marked their loyalty and patriotism iu support of the
Government of the day agaiust a foreign country by a subscription which amounted to a considerable sum . In 1838 , the United Lodges assembled at the Spread Eagle , and in 1839 Dr . Bartolome was in . stalled Worshiplul Master ; and it must be gratifying to the Sheffield brethren to see this old aud esteemed Past Master present in Provincial Grand Lodge on this auspicious occasion . In 1841 , a handsome
testimonial was presented to Bro . Bartolome , who was again re-elected Worshiplul Master . In this year of Britannia 33 members were present . In the last month of this year the consecration of the Lodge took p . ace at the Music Hall . Thus , after movingabout as it were from pillar to post , the members of the Craft in Sheffield at last found a permanent habitation ; and until 1861 , the most perfect harmony
prevailed amongst the brethren . In this year the Freemasons purchased the Old Savings Bank premises in Surrey-street , the site of the present Masonic Hall , and adapted it to the present ; purposes of the Craft iii Sheffield , raising the money in shares of £ 5 each . Thi 3 property was vested in trustees for the benefit of the Craft , and a trust deed was drawn up setting out clearly the object for which tho
purchase was made , and that the building should ultimately become the property of the Britannia Lodge . These shares were not all taken up uutil 1867 . From this time , in accordance with the trust deed , Britannia began to purchase aud to gradually absorb the shares of the various brethren . The three Lodges in Sheffield , after experiencing much inconvenience for many years from the inadequate
accommodation afforded by the existing buildings , formed the idea of a limited company , and erecting the present hall , whioh it is hoped will meet tho requirements of the Craft in Sheffield for several generations . After much grave consideration , it was finally resolved to pull down the old building , the property purchased from Sherwin standing for a time , and to build on the old ground a new Masonic
Hall . Bros . Scargill and Clark were entrusted with the plans , and the work was commenced in 1876 . I must express my satisfaction to all parties concerned on tho success of the work and its adaptability for the purposes of Freemasonry , and that this Hall is a memorial of your skill and ability in Sheffield , and this Masonic Hall Company Limited was registered on
the 24 th November 1874 . It is divided into 2 , 000 shares of £ 5 each , having a nominal capital of £ 10 , 000 . Of these shares only 1 , 000 have been issued for allotment , and , with the exception of a very few , have been generously taken up . As each of the Lodges whoso warrants ornament its walls have shovvu , at some period of their uistury , thoir value of the principles of Freemasonry in the exercise
ot charity aud benevolence , so , i understand , it is the inteutiou of tue Craft to mark vvitu significance their completion of ibis stately . ind superb edifice to co-operate in tho work of restoration of tho indent Church of St . Peter , now called Trinity . I must be allowed -. o mstitiun the munificent contribution of £ 1 U , 000 by a lady who has proved herself ou scvciul oc'Uaious u fu . iihl . ui friend to tho Free
uasons of anelheid , and neuuur muat 1 torget that other lady who > upplemeuts this work ot restoration by a gitt of £ 3 , 000 . I believe he Craft here will restore tho . r portion of the fabric as well as the / reeniasons ot Durham their part of this Cathedral of 6 t . Cuchbert . Ay Deputy hoped to have the honour of initiating the late vicar of ms church imo Freemasonry , recently translated to the Bisuopric
> f iSodor and Man , a nob ; e imitator ot the virtues of a previous vicar , •no Reverend James Wilkinson , who for half a century , by his maBeuteU piety , inflexible integrity , and tiuvvearicd zeal in tue public ¦ vi ' vice , obiaiued aud deserved the endearing appeilation of the ather of the town of Sheffield . Time would fail me were I to enumerate the handsome contributions in detail , extending over e ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Opening Of The New Masonic Hall In Sheffield.
OPENING OF THE NEW MASONIC HALL IN SHEFFIELD .
PROM THE SHEFFIELD AXD ROTHERHAM INDEPENDENT . THE old Masonio Hall in Surrey-street , which was formerly the Savings Bunk , having become quite inadequate to the wants ot the Freemasous of Sheffield , a new and handsome Hall has been built on the old site , and the work has just been completed . The Hall , which is in the classical style of architecture , contains on tho ground floor a banqueting room , 51 feet long , 26 feet wide , aud 15 feet high ,
and is lighted by double wiudows of plate glass , the inner ones being ombossed and ornamented with Masonic emblems . This is entered from premises lately occupied by Mr . Sherwin , by a convenient approach . A serving window is in direct communication with the kitchens . The entire site of the new Hall has been cellared , aud arrangements have been made by which all the furniture from the
banqueting room can be lowered thereto , thus leaving the room a clear floor in cases of need . The Lodge-room , which is over the banqueting-room , is 51 feet long , 26 feet wide , and 24 feet high ,- having an arched root , springing from a cornice running round the room , ornamented with moulded ribs and panels , and carved bosses . Tho walls are relieved with columns , which havo foliated capitals
springing from ornamental corbels , from which the ribs in the roof form one continuous line . The whole of the fittings are of pitch pine , slightly stained and varnished , which produce a very pleasing effect . The east end is occupied by a raised dais of three steps , aud along the north and south sides runs a raised platform , so that a double row of chairs can be placed , and the brethren occupying the back seats
be enabled to both see and hear with comfort . At the west end , provision has been made to receive an organ , which has been erected by the eminent makers , Messrs . Brindley and Foster , of Sheffield , and of this instrument several professional brethren speak very highly . Both rooms are lighted by very chaste chandeliers , aud are warmed by hot water , on the most improved principles , and ventilated on
Tobin ' s system . In addition to these two rooms , there are on the ground floor a club-room , commodious kitchens , lavatory , & c . On the first floor , one good sized room ( which has , during the erection of the new Hall , been used as a temporary Lodge-room ) , a convenient cloak-room , and a wide passage with a broad flight of stairs leading
to the Lodge-room . On the second floor are several rooms , affording accommodation for a resident Tyler , The Hall has been built by the Masonic Hall Company Limited , whose capital is £ 10 , 000 , and it is the intentiou of the Company to mako it , internally at least , one of the most handsome and complete buildings of its kind in the
Pro-. The Hall was formally opened on Wednesday by Lient .. Col . Sir Henry Edwards , Bart ., D . L ., the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire , Provincial Grand Lodge being held in the Hall . There wore present—the Worshipful Deputy Provincial Grand Master , T . VV . Tew , J . P ., Dr . Cox ( London ) , Dr .
Bartolome , Bro . Gill ( Mayor of Wakefield ) , the Rev . F . W . Bagshawe , several distinguished brethren from neighbouring provinces and a company numbering nearly 250 . Mr . Tallis Trimnell presided at the organ , and Bro . T . Collinson was the Director of Ceremonies . Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened in usual form . Sir Henry Edwards , Bart ., said : Brethren , in addressing this
brilliant assembly of tho members of the Craft in West Yorkshire , the first part of my agreeable duty to-day is to ackuowledge in the most cordial manner your hoarty reception of your Provincial Grand Master . 1 am again reminded of the welcome this Prov . Grand Lodge met with in Octooer A . D . 1875 , from the Wentworth Lodge . To that admirable and select Lodge 1 expressed my obligations and those
of this Provincial Grand Lodgo for the use of a building accorded to that gathering of Freemasons , but which was not a Masonic edifice . I ventured to remark that 1 trusted thut the Lodges in Sheffield might at no distant time be able to hold their meetings , as well as their invitations to Provincial Graud Lodge , iu commodious premises of their own , dedicated solely to Freemasonry , aud befitting the status
and increasing influence of the Craft in this busy town of mechanical industry . Allow me , as the next part of my duty , to thank the Britannia Lodge , the second oldest in the Province , under whose banner we labour to-day , for their invitation to inaugurate the completion of an important work , and for the excellent preparations the brethren here have made for the reception of this Provincial Grand
Lodge . Our meeting to-day is the completion of the hope expressed in the Wentworth Lodge iu 1875 , the construction of a Masonic Hall well worthy of the Craft in Sheffield , and wc congratulate the united Lodges on their energy , their wealth , and their skill , which , in two years , have produced this magnificent temple , fraught as I believe such a work must be in advantages and benefits identified with the
future of this district . It would border on ingratitude aud negation if 1 did not embiuce this opportunity ot personally ottering my tribute of praise that the aspiiatkiiis ot 1875 have become practical reuliues in 1677 . The auspicious occasion which has brought- us togethe . within these new walls wouid be incomplete without some briel mention of the circumstances which have led to their reconstruction ,
and tne history ot Freemasonry in Shvttield , the statistics tor whifi have In-en kiiiii . y siu paed mu by uiy worthy uoputv ain . luUn .-r lueiu ' oo , oi . ho Crr t in Eht-llield . Shciiie ' . d has a ilasumo history , of which th , members of the thiee Lodges may feci proud . Tho history is not oi yesterday . It extends ovc a series of past jeas ; and thi ; hibtory is associated not only with Masonic events aud transactions , but of Imperial significance . Tho brecureu of Hallauishht
have lor many generations , by the magnitude oi iuiportunt mechanical industries , earned enduring honour by building up England .-greatness . Your mighty appliances for htavy works have eiioitei tliu auuiiration of lureigu criiics , and your machinery aud aduptaui architecture have equally gratified the visitor , whatever may hav . been his tastes , feelings , or proclivities . The Masonio bodies ii Sheffield consist , I may say lor the information of the Craft in general ,
Opening Of The New Masonic Hall In Sheffield.
of three Craft Lodges , Nos . 139 , 296 , and 1239 , numbering about 300 brethren , including 35 Past Masters . There are besides two Royal Arch Chapters and a Rose Croix , a Mark Mason ' s Lodge , a Preceptory of Knights Templar , a Conclave of Knights of Red Cross of Rome aud Constantine , and a Sanctuary of Knights of the Holy Sepulchre and St . John tho Evangelist , together with a Priory of Knights of Malta .
There aro two remarkable coincidences of similarity in connection with the meeting places of the two oldest Lodges in West Yorkshire , one which , in July 1738 , met at the Crown and Rose , Halifax ; and " The Britannia , " under whose banner we meet to-day , whioh on 19 th April 1765 , was first unfurled at the Rose aud Crown , Sheffield ; and it was called "The Rose and Crown , " but changed its name to
" Britannia" on 8 th April 1795 . With the exception of the first two years the minutes of this Lodgo are perfect . Iu 1861 it established itself in a Hall devoted exclusively to Freemasonry , and upon the old foundations the present magnificent edifice has been rebuilt for the Masouic Hall of the United Lodges . The Royal Brunswick Lodge was constituted in due form 28 th July 1794 . Tho ceremony of
dedicatiou concluded with a liberal subscription to the Poor Girls' Charity School . Ou the 4 th October 1798 , tho Britannia Lodge and the other brethren from all the Lodges dedicated and opened , in solemn form , in the presence of Lords Fitzwilliam and Galway and a distinguished company , the General Infirmary here , a lasting monument of benevolent usefulness . In
identification with thi 3 noblo Institution I must mention the name of Bro . Dr . Bartolome . In the minute book of Britannia Lodgo , 17 th February 1775 , is the consideration of a proposal for the establishmemt of a Lodge at Rotnerham . On the 10 th March , tho Rotherham petitioners were informed that , " as they have irregularly dared to make a Mason without formal powers , they are unworthy the counten .
ance of Britannia Lodge . " I am proud to inform the Province that in 1808 a Lodge was opened , and in 1860 or 1861 Bro . Bentley Shaw re-consecrated , at Rotherham , the Phoenix Lodge , No . 904 , which is now not the least prosperous or least loyal amongst the 63 Lodges of this Province , and I hope on some future occasion for an opportunity to pay my personal respects to its excellent W . M ., and Bro . Fawcetfe
and his brethren . In 1797 , Mr . Scott proposed to build a Lodge room suitable for the Britannia Lodge . In June 1799 , Bro . Chad , wick preached a sermon before the brethren in St . Peter ' s Church for this purpose , and it was resolved that every brother absent , except being sick , should inoar a pecuniary penalty . In 1798 , tho brethren marked their loyalty and patriotism iu support of the
Government of the day agaiust a foreign country by a subscription which amounted to a considerable sum . In 1838 , the United Lodges assembled at the Spread Eagle , and in 1839 Dr . Bartolome was in . stalled Worshiplul Master ; and it must be gratifying to the Sheffield brethren to see this old aud esteemed Past Master present in Provincial Grand Lodge on this auspicious occasion . In 1841 , a handsome
testimonial was presented to Bro . Bartolome , who was again re-elected Worshiplul Master . In this year of Britannia 33 members were present . In the last month of this year the consecration of the Lodge took p . ace at the Music Hall . Thus , after movingabout as it were from pillar to post , the members of the Craft in Sheffield at last found a permanent habitation ; and until 1861 , the most perfect harmony
prevailed amongst the brethren . In this year the Freemasons purchased the Old Savings Bank premises in Surrey-street , the site of the present Masonic Hall , and adapted it to the present ; purposes of the Craft iii Sheffield , raising the money in shares of £ 5 each . Thi 3 property was vested in trustees for the benefit of the Craft , and a trust deed was drawn up setting out clearly the object for which tho
purchase was made , and that the building should ultimately become the property of the Britannia Lodge . These shares were not all taken up uutil 1867 . From this time , in accordance with the trust deed , Britannia began to purchase aud to gradually absorb the shares of the various brethren . The three Lodges in Sheffield , after experiencing much inconvenience for many years from the inadequate
accommodation afforded by the existing buildings , formed the idea of a limited company , and erecting the present hall , whioh it is hoped will meet tho requirements of the Craft in Sheffield for several generations . After much grave consideration , it was finally resolved to pull down the old building , the property purchased from Sherwin standing for a time , and to build on the old ground a new Masonic
Hall . Bros . Scargill and Clark were entrusted with the plans , and the work was commenced in 1876 . I must express my satisfaction to all parties concerned on tho success of the work and its adaptability for the purposes of Freemasonry , and that this Hall is a memorial of your skill and ability in Sheffield , and this Masonic Hall Company Limited was registered on
the 24 th November 1874 . It is divided into 2 , 000 shares of £ 5 each , having a nominal capital of £ 10 , 000 . Of these shares only 1 , 000 have been issued for allotment , and , with the exception of a very few , have been generously taken up . As each of the Lodges whoso warrants ornament its walls have shovvu , at some period of their uistury , thoir value of the principles of Freemasonry in the exercise
ot charity aud benevolence , so , i understand , it is the inteutiou of tue Craft to mark vvitu significance their completion of ibis stately . ind superb edifice to co-operate in tho work of restoration of tho indent Church of St . Peter , now called Trinity . I must be allowed -. o mstitiun the munificent contribution of £ 1 U , 000 by a lady who has proved herself ou scvciul oc'Uaious u fu . iihl . ui friend to tho Free
uasons of anelheid , and neuuur muat 1 torget that other lady who > upplemeuts this work ot restoration by a gitt of £ 3 , 000 . I believe he Craft here will restore tho . r portion of the fabric as well as the / reeniasons ot Durham their part of this Cathedral of 6 t . Cuchbert . Ay Deputy hoped to have the honour of initiating the late vicar of ms church imo Freemasonry , recently translated to the Bisuopric
> f iSodor and Man , a nob ; e imitator ot the virtues of a previous vicar , •no Reverend James Wilkinson , who for half a century , by his maBeuteU piety , inflexible integrity , and tiuvvearicd zeal in tue public ¦ vi ' vice , obiaiued aud deserved the endearing appeilation of the ather of the town of Sheffield . Time would fail me were I to enumerate the handsome contributions in detail , extending over e ,