Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
St. Luke's Church, Southport. Laying The Memorial Stone.
ST . LUKE'S CHURCH , SOUTHPORT . LAYING THE MEMORIAL STONE .
ON Friday , tbe IStli inst ., there took place in Southport the solemn laying of the foundation stone , with Masonic hononrs , by thoRt . Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , of a new church , to bo erected at the corner of Hawkshead-street-southj aud to be dedicated to St . Luke . Southport is proud , and justly proud , of her ecclesiastical buildings , and all who love fine architecture will be glad to learn that the proposed erection bids fair to bo in every way worthy to stand side by side
with any of its elder sisters . Tho " Unity " and " Fermor" Lodges , both of Southport , mustered in strong force , and the number was swelled by contingents from all parts of the county till , to judge from the long files drawn up in the avenue leading from Holy Trinity School to Manehester-road , there could , have been no less than 200 Brethren present . At two o ' clock a long procession of snrplicod choir
boys , robed clergy , and Craftsmen iu full regalia made its way gradually through the streets . The combined effect of the many colours was very pleasing when a straight length of road permitted tho eye to glance nninterruptedly from front to rear , and the changing hues , brought alternately into prominence by the many windings of the route , were equally picturesque . Tbe following was the order of
tho procession : —Holy Trinity Choir , St . Luke ' s Choir , clergy , two Tylers , with drawn swords , members of Lodges , according to their numbers , juniors walking first , Past Provincial Grand Officers , two and two , Visiting Provincial Grand Officers , two and two , Architect , with the plans , a cornucopia , with corn , borne by a Master of a Lodge , two ewers , with wino and oil , borne by Masters of Lodges , Provincial
Grand Pursuivant , Provincial Grand Organist , trowel , borno by Past Master , mallet , borne by Past Master , " Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies , Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies , Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works , bearing a plate with the inscription for the foundation stone , Provincial Grand Secretary with Book of Constitutions , Provincial Grand Registrar , bearing the seal ,
Provincial Grand Treasurer , bearing a phial containing the coins to be deposited in the stone , the Corinthian Light , borne by the Master of a Lodge , the column of the Provincial Junior Grand Warden , with a plumb rule , banner of Provincial Grand Lodge , two Provincial Grand Stewards , the Doric Light , borne by the Master of a Lodge , tbe column of the Provincial Senior Grand Warden , borne by the Master of a
Lodge , the Provincial Senior Grand Warden , with the level , Provincial Junior Grand Deacon , the Provincial Grand Chaplain , bearing the Sacred Law on a Cushion , two Provincial Grand Stewards , the Provincial Deputy Grand Master , with a square , the Ionic Light , borne by the Master of a Lodge , the Provincial Graud Sword Bearer , the Right Worshipfnl Provincial Grand Master , Provincial Grand Senior Deacon ,
two Provincial Grand Stewards , Provincial Grand Tyler . As the head of the procession arrived at the site the Brethren divided to right and left and faced inwards , forming an avenue through which the Right Worshipfnl Provincial Grand Master , preceded by the Provincial Sword Bearer , and followed by the Brother bearing the Ionic Light , the Provincial Deputy Grand Master , and tho Provincial Officers and
Assistants , passed to tho platform which had been erected for the ceremony , and to which the clergy had already made their way . The proceedings at the stone were opened with the singing of an appropriate hymn , after which Bro . the Rev . C . S . Hope , vicar of Holy Trinity , presented the following address to the Provinc al Grand Master 1— "My Lord , Right Worshipfnl Provincial Grand Master , —
The population of Holy Trinity parish having enormously increased of late years , and the church accommodation having thereby become wholly inadequate to its requirements , it has been decided to divide the parish and to build on this spot a church of plain but substantial character , to seat 1000 persons , the estimated cost of which is £ 5000 . Of this sum £ 3000 has been already subscribed , and Bro . the Rev .
W . H . Marsden , B . A ., has accepted tho charge of the new district . The Building Committee appointed to carry out the work being all Freemasons , aud knowing how highly the grand principles of the ancient Craft are valued by your lordship , ventured to suggest that this would be a suitable occasion for their practical application . I have , therefore , on behalf of the committee , myself , and all present , to
offer to yonr lordship a most hearty welcome , and our warmest thanks for so readily acceding to our request to lay the foundation stone of our new church . And may the Great Architect of the Universe prosper our handiwork and grant your lordship long life to practise and uphold the principles of true Masonry in this Province . " His Lordship said : I assure you it gives me great pleasure indeed to
come here this clay to begin so good a work as is about to bo begun , namely , to lay the foundation stone of this church . It has happened to me to lay tbe foundation stone of a church in this town once before . This is the second time I have performed a ceremony in this town ; but it is the first time I have performed it with Masonichononrs —in fact , this is the first time I have had the pleasure and gratification
of laying the foundation stone of a church with Masonic honours since I came to rule over this great Province . ( Hear hear . ) I am sure there is no work--no Masonic work—iu which I have ever been engaged that has given me half the pleasure thr . t doing this work today gives me . We all know how much church accommodation is wanted ; and I can imagine well in this increasing
town—increasinoso rapidly—that the accommodation at present provided cannot br one-half enough for those who onght and who would attend tho church if they w / liable . ( Hear . ) Therefore , it gives ne still greater pleasure wheu 1 .- ' . o this good work of church extens ou carried on here from time tu time . I can remember not later than last year our good Bishop ( tho Bishop of Chester ) told me that since he came to take
the oversight of this diocese , he had consecrated or re-opened no fewer than eighty-five churches . ( Applause . ) Whim we think of the tiunhe has been amongst us , I think that shows at all events in South Lancashire the work of church extension is proceeding well and rapidl y . ( Applause . ) I will not detain you , as I may havo to address vou later on ; but I will merely say it gives ma very great pleasure to lay
St. Luke's Church, Southport. Laying The Memorial Stone.
this foundation stone , and to be surrounded , as T am , by so goodly a number of the brethren of the Province , whom I thank for coming here on this occasion . I only wish that this church may rapidly rise , and that the funds may speedily be forthcoming ; and that eventually that hope , which I hear is expressed , that the church may soon be free from debt , will bo fully and entirely carried out . ( Applause . )
A prayer was then said by the Provincial Grand Chaplain , after which tho P . G . Treasurer placed the inscription plate in position ; a phial of contemporary coins , and copies of the local newspapers and of other current publications wero deposited ; the mortar was spread ; the stone was slowly lowered to its position ; and , with all tho forms and ceremonies prescribed by the Craft , Lord Skelmersdale declared
the stone to bo well and duly laid . This done a collection was made , realising £ 85 ; another hymn was sung ; tho Provincial Grand Chaplain gavo the benediction ; and tha proceedings were brought to a close by the singing of the National Anthem . After the ceremonial on tho ground a splendid banquet was served
at the Prince of Wales' Hotel , to which about 180 guests sat down . The banquet was thrown open to the public , and a number of ladies wero present . Lord Skelmersdale , Deputy Grand Master of England , and Right Worshipful Prov . Grand Master of West Lancashire , presided , and there were also present : —Bros . H . S . Allpass P . G . S ., Rev . J . Rees Jenkins P . G . Chaplain , R . Goepel P . P . G . D . C , R . Wylio
P . P . G . S . W ., G . Turner P . P . G . Treasurer , J . T . Callow P . G . Treasurer , R . Robinson P . G . Registrar , The Masters of Fermor Lodge and Unity Lodgo ( Southport ) , Rev . Canon Sheldon ( Rural Dean ) , Geo . Mellor Mayor of Ashton-under-Lyne , and D . P . G . M . of East Lancashire , Rev . C . H . Koowlys ( Rector of North Meols ) , Rev . C . S . Hope ( Vicar of Holy Trinity ) , Eev . W . H . Marsden ( Vicar designate of St . Luke ' s ) ;
Rev . Canon Clarke , D . D . ( Vicar of Christ Church ); Rev . E . Stephenson ? M . A ., Dr . Woods , Dr . G . A . Woods , Capt . Hesketb , Councillor Marchbank , Councillor Roberts , & c . After grace , the Noble Chairman proposed tho health of her Most Gracious Majesty tho Queen , which was duly honoured . The Chairman next submitted the toast of Tho Prince and Princess
of Wales and the rest of tho Royal Family . He said thoy were a mixed assembly there , so he gave this toast both Masonically and Loyally , The Prince of Wales was their head Masonically , and their future ruler , though he hoped the time was yet far distant before he would become so—( hear , hear )— and the noble Chairman wonld ask them to drink bis health aud the rest of the Royal Family . There
were two other Freemasons in the Royal Family—his Eoyal Highness the Duke of Connaught and his Eoyal Highness Prince Leopold , ( hear , hear . ) They were one and all dear to their hearts —( applause ) —and he would pause for one moment to say , and he thought they would agree with him , he hoped that one of the younger branches of the Royal Family , Princess Louise , would meet with that success and
that esteem in Canada which she deserved . ( Cheers . ) That her hnsband , Lord Lome , would do his duty there most admirably ho had not tho slightest doubt , but he had a very hard task to fulfil , for he had a very difficult nobleman to follow . ( Hear , hear . ) The Rev Bro . C . S . Hope proposed tbe health of the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , Lord Skelmersdale , who wished
to leave the banquet to catch a train , but it would be ungrateful to allow him to depart without thanking him for the kind action he had done for them that day , and without proposing his health . ( Hear , hear . ) Southport had in the past much to thank his Lordship for , and she was , he felt sure , very grateful to him . From the opinions which ho had heard expressed many persons in the pariah of Holy Trinity were
especially grateful to him , and they would all anxiously look forward to his lordship coming amongst them again . ( Cheers . ) The first question he had been asked was , "Is Lord Skelmersdale coming ?" and when he answered "Yes , " they said , "All right . " That day he bad come amongst them and given them valnablehelp , as Right Worshipful Provincial Graud Master , and the speaker was sure of this , that
Freemasonry would not suffer in Southport by what the people had seen . ( Hear , hear . ) He had nearly gained a convert to Freemasonry , Canon Clarke , and that was a great deal . ( Laughter . ) He hoped wheu Canon Clarke got np later be would not contradict him . ( Laughter . ) On their behalf , on his own behalf , and on behalf of Trinity parish , he thanked the noble lord for the kind and hearty way in which he had
come to help them . ( Cheers . ) Theirs was a poor church , which constantly needed help . The toast was drunk with musical honours . The Chairman said he thanked them most heartil y for the extremely kind way in which they had received the mention of his name . He must apologise to them
most humbly for rather curtailing their enjoyment , if he might say so , by hurrying on the toasts . Mr . Hope had said very truly that ho was hound to catch a train . He had a long journey before him j he was going to Paris . He was sure it was a very great pleasure when he came there to lay the foundation stone of this second church , which was the first he h d laid in this town with Masonic honours .
Ibey had already been given to understand that ono amongst them had been impressed with the ceremony , and might ho say that if that ceremony had clone nothing more than bring Canon Clarke over to the side of Freemasonry , he for one should feel that his time had not been wasted . ( Hear , hear . ) That clay thoy had begun a good work , a stono had been laid , and that stoue had been cemented by
subscriptions on the ground . He hoped that was an earnest of the future , anil that in the course of time Mr . Marsden would have such an amount of funds that he would hardly know what to do with them . ( Laughter , and hear , hear . ) This was a wealthy town , a prosperous town , and he hoped it was going to be more prosperous still . ( Applause . ) Why should not St . Luke ' s spriiu up as rapidly as he
had seen other churches spring up in tbe district , and the work her carried on as thoroughly and as well ? He hoped with all his heart it would lie so . lie thanked them most heartily for the kind way in . vhiuh they had received him that day . ( Cheers . ) His lordship then left the room amid prolonged cheers . Brother R . Fletcher proposed the health of the Bishops , Clergy , and . Ministers , of all denominations ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
St. Luke's Church, Southport. Laying The Memorial Stone.
ST . LUKE'S CHURCH , SOUTHPORT . LAYING THE MEMORIAL STONE .
ON Friday , tbe IStli inst ., there took place in Southport the solemn laying of the foundation stone , with Masonic hononrs , by thoRt . Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , of a new church , to bo erected at the corner of Hawkshead-street-southj aud to be dedicated to St . Luke . Southport is proud , and justly proud , of her ecclesiastical buildings , and all who love fine architecture will be glad to learn that the proposed erection bids fair to bo in every way worthy to stand side by side
with any of its elder sisters . Tho " Unity " and " Fermor" Lodges , both of Southport , mustered in strong force , and the number was swelled by contingents from all parts of the county till , to judge from the long files drawn up in the avenue leading from Holy Trinity School to Manehester-road , there could , have been no less than 200 Brethren present . At two o ' clock a long procession of snrplicod choir
boys , robed clergy , and Craftsmen iu full regalia made its way gradually through the streets . The combined effect of the many colours was very pleasing when a straight length of road permitted tho eye to glance nninterruptedly from front to rear , and the changing hues , brought alternately into prominence by the many windings of the route , were equally picturesque . Tbe following was the order of
tho procession : —Holy Trinity Choir , St . Luke ' s Choir , clergy , two Tylers , with drawn swords , members of Lodges , according to their numbers , juniors walking first , Past Provincial Grand Officers , two and two , Visiting Provincial Grand Officers , two and two , Architect , with the plans , a cornucopia , with corn , borne by a Master of a Lodge , two ewers , with wino and oil , borne by Masters of Lodges , Provincial
Grand Pursuivant , Provincial Grand Organist , trowel , borno by Past Master , mallet , borne by Past Master , " Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies , Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies , Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works , bearing a plate with the inscription for the foundation stone , Provincial Grand Secretary with Book of Constitutions , Provincial Grand Registrar , bearing the seal ,
Provincial Grand Treasurer , bearing a phial containing the coins to be deposited in the stone , the Corinthian Light , borne by the Master of a Lodge , the column of the Provincial Junior Grand Warden , with a plumb rule , banner of Provincial Grand Lodge , two Provincial Grand Stewards , the Doric Light , borne by the Master of a Lodge , tbe column of the Provincial Senior Grand Warden , borne by the Master of a
Lodge , the Provincial Senior Grand Warden , with the level , Provincial Junior Grand Deacon , the Provincial Grand Chaplain , bearing the Sacred Law on a Cushion , two Provincial Grand Stewards , the Provincial Deputy Grand Master , with a square , the Ionic Light , borne by the Master of a Lodge , the Provincial Graud Sword Bearer , the Right Worshipfnl Provincial Grand Master , Provincial Grand Senior Deacon ,
two Provincial Grand Stewards , Provincial Grand Tyler . As the head of the procession arrived at the site the Brethren divided to right and left and faced inwards , forming an avenue through which the Right Worshipfnl Provincial Grand Master , preceded by the Provincial Sword Bearer , and followed by the Brother bearing the Ionic Light , the Provincial Deputy Grand Master , and tho Provincial Officers and
Assistants , passed to tho platform which had been erected for the ceremony , and to which the clergy had already made their way . The proceedings at the stone were opened with the singing of an appropriate hymn , after which Bro . the Rev . C . S . Hope , vicar of Holy Trinity , presented the following address to the Provinc al Grand Master 1— "My Lord , Right Worshipfnl Provincial Grand Master , —
The population of Holy Trinity parish having enormously increased of late years , and the church accommodation having thereby become wholly inadequate to its requirements , it has been decided to divide the parish and to build on this spot a church of plain but substantial character , to seat 1000 persons , the estimated cost of which is £ 5000 . Of this sum £ 3000 has been already subscribed , and Bro . the Rev .
W . H . Marsden , B . A ., has accepted tho charge of the new district . The Building Committee appointed to carry out the work being all Freemasons , aud knowing how highly the grand principles of the ancient Craft are valued by your lordship , ventured to suggest that this would be a suitable occasion for their practical application . I have , therefore , on behalf of the committee , myself , and all present , to
offer to yonr lordship a most hearty welcome , and our warmest thanks for so readily acceding to our request to lay the foundation stone of our new church . And may the Great Architect of the Universe prosper our handiwork and grant your lordship long life to practise and uphold the principles of true Masonry in this Province . " His Lordship said : I assure you it gives me great pleasure indeed to
come here this clay to begin so good a work as is about to bo begun , namely , to lay the foundation stone of this church . It has happened to me to lay tbe foundation stone of a church in this town once before . This is the second time I have performed a ceremony in this town ; but it is the first time I have performed it with Masonichononrs —in fact , this is the first time I have had the pleasure and gratification
of laying the foundation stone of a church with Masonic honours since I came to rule over this great Province . ( Hear hear . ) I am sure there is no work--no Masonic work—iu which I have ever been engaged that has given me half the pleasure thr . t doing this work today gives me . We all know how much church accommodation is wanted ; and I can imagine well in this increasing
town—increasinoso rapidly—that the accommodation at present provided cannot br one-half enough for those who onght and who would attend tho church if they w / liable . ( Hear . ) Therefore , it gives ne still greater pleasure wheu 1 .- ' . o this good work of church extens ou carried on here from time tu time . I can remember not later than last year our good Bishop ( tho Bishop of Chester ) told me that since he came to take
the oversight of this diocese , he had consecrated or re-opened no fewer than eighty-five churches . ( Applause . ) Whim we think of the tiunhe has been amongst us , I think that shows at all events in South Lancashire the work of church extension is proceeding well and rapidl y . ( Applause . ) I will not detain you , as I may havo to address vou later on ; but I will merely say it gives ma very great pleasure to lay
St. Luke's Church, Southport. Laying The Memorial Stone.
this foundation stone , and to be surrounded , as T am , by so goodly a number of the brethren of the Province , whom I thank for coming here on this occasion . I only wish that this church may rapidly rise , and that the funds may speedily be forthcoming ; and that eventually that hope , which I hear is expressed , that the church may soon be free from debt , will bo fully and entirely carried out . ( Applause . )
A prayer was then said by the Provincial Grand Chaplain , after which tho P . G . Treasurer placed the inscription plate in position ; a phial of contemporary coins , and copies of the local newspapers and of other current publications wero deposited ; the mortar was spread ; the stone was slowly lowered to its position ; and , with all tho forms and ceremonies prescribed by the Craft , Lord Skelmersdale declared
the stone to bo well and duly laid . This done a collection was made , realising £ 85 ; another hymn was sung ; tho Provincial Grand Chaplain gavo the benediction ; and tha proceedings were brought to a close by the singing of the National Anthem . After the ceremonial on tho ground a splendid banquet was served
at the Prince of Wales' Hotel , to which about 180 guests sat down . The banquet was thrown open to the public , and a number of ladies wero present . Lord Skelmersdale , Deputy Grand Master of England , and Right Worshipful Prov . Grand Master of West Lancashire , presided , and there were also present : —Bros . H . S . Allpass P . G . S ., Rev . J . Rees Jenkins P . G . Chaplain , R . Goepel P . P . G . D . C , R . Wylio
P . P . G . S . W ., G . Turner P . P . G . Treasurer , J . T . Callow P . G . Treasurer , R . Robinson P . G . Registrar , The Masters of Fermor Lodge and Unity Lodgo ( Southport ) , Rev . Canon Sheldon ( Rural Dean ) , Geo . Mellor Mayor of Ashton-under-Lyne , and D . P . G . M . of East Lancashire , Rev . C . H . Koowlys ( Rector of North Meols ) , Rev . C . S . Hope ( Vicar of Holy Trinity ) , Eev . W . H . Marsden ( Vicar designate of St . Luke ' s ) ;
Rev . Canon Clarke , D . D . ( Vicar of Christ Church ); Rev . E . Stephenson ? M . A ., Dr . Woods , Dr . G . A . Woods , Capt . Hesketb , Councillor Marchbank , Councillor Roberts , & c . After grace , the Noble Chairman proposed tho health of her Most Gracious Majesty tho Queen , which was duly honoured . The Chairman next submitted the toast of Tho Prince and Princess
of Wales and the rest of tho Royal Family . He said thoy were a mixed assembly there , so he gave this toast both Masonically and Loyally , The Prince of Wales was their head Masonically , and their future ruler , though he hoped the time was yet far distant before he would become so—( hear , hear )— and the noble Chairman wonld ask them to drink bis health aud the rest of the Royal Family . There
were two other Freemasons in the Royal Family—his Eoyal Highness the Duke of Connaught and his Eoyal Highness Prince Leopold , ( hear , hear . ) They were one and all dear to their hearts —( applause ) —and he would pause for one moment to say , and he thought they would agree with him , he hoped that one of the younger branches of the Royal Family , Princess Louise , would meet with that success and
that esteem in Canada which she deserved . ( Cheers . ) That her hnsband , Lord Lome , would do his duty there most admirably ho had not tho slightest doubt , but he had a very hard task to fulfil , for he had a very difficult nobleman to follow . ( Hear , hear . ) The Rev Bro . C . S . Hope proposed tbe health of the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , Lord Skelmersdale , who wished
to leave the banquet to catch a train , but it would be ungrateful to allow him to depart without thanking him for the kind action he had done for them that day , and without proposing his health . ( Hear , hear . ) Southport had in the past much to thank his Lordship for , and she was , he felt sure , very grateful to him . From the opinions which ho had heard expressed many persons in the pariah of Holy Trinity were
especially grateful to him , and they would all anxiously look forward to his lordship coming amongst them again . ( Cheers . ) The first question he had been asked was , "Is Lord Skelmersdale coming ?" and when he answered "Yes , " they said , "All right . " That day he bad come amongst them and given them valnablehelp , as Right Worshipful Provincial Graud Master , and the speaker was sure of this , that
Freemasonry would not suffer in Southport by what the people had seen . ( Hear , hear . ) He had nearly gained a convert to Freemasonry , Canon Clarke , and that was a great deal . ( Laughter . ) He hoped wheu Canon Clarke got np later be would not contradict him . ( Laughter . ) On their behalf , on his own behalf , and on behalf of Trinity parish , he thanked the noble lord for the kind and hearty way in which he had
come to help them . ( Cheers . ) Theirs was a poor church , which constantly needed help . The toast was drunk with musical honours . The Chairman said he thanked them most heartil y for the extremely kind way in which they had received the mention of his name . He must apologise to them
most humbly for rather curtailing their enjoyment , if he might say so , by hurrying on the toasts . Mr . Hope had said very truly that ho was hound to catch a train . He had a long journey before him j he was going to Paris . He was sure it was a very great pleasure when he came there to lay the foundation stone of this second church , which was the first he h d laid in this town with Masonic honours .
Ibey had already been given to understand that ono amongst them had been impressed with the ceremony , and might ho say that if that ceremony had clone nothing more than bring Canon Clarke over to the side of Freemasonry , he for one should feel that his time had not been wasted . ( Hear , hear . ) That clay thoy had begun a good work , a stono had been laid , and that stoue had been cemented by
subscriptions on the ground . He hoped that was an earnest of the future , anil that in the course of time Mr . Marsden would have such an amount of funds that he would hardly know what to do with them . ( Laughter , and hear , hear . ) This was a wealthy town , a prosperous town , and he hoped it was going to be more prosperous still . ( Applause . ) Why should not St . Luke ' s spriiu up as rapidly as he
had seen other churches spring up in tbe district , and the work her carried on as thoroughly and as well ? He hoped with all his heart it would lie so . lie thanked them most heartily for the kind way in . vhiuh they had received him that day . ( Cheers . ) His lordship then left the room amid prolonged cheers . Brother R . Fletcher proposed the health of the Bishops , Clergy , and . Ministers , of all denominations ,