LODGE HISTORY
The contents of this section include a brief history of the Lodge and some notable events from our past.
On 10th April 1909, A petition to grant a Charter for a Masonic Lodge, to be known as Lodge St Fothad’s Auchterderran Fife was raised by Brethren living and working in Cardenden and the surrounding area.
These Brethren represented 21 different Lodges, mainly from the Central Belt of Scotland with the majority being from our close neighbour, Lodge Minto 385, Lochgelly.
The Lodges represented were: Dalkeith Kilwinning No 10; St John Dunfermline No 26; Kirknewton and Ratho No 85; St John Midlothian No 112; St Cyre No 121; Shettleston St John No 128; Airdrie St John (lanark) No 166; Wilsontown Iron Works No 236; Union No 250; The Athole No 384; Minto No 385; Dunearn No 400; St Clair (Lanark) No 427; Govandale No 437; St John Crossgates No 540; Buchanan St John No 636; Dalhousie No 720; Randolph No 776; Thane of Fife No 781; St Clair of Balbeggie No 867; Oak No 877:
The preponderance of Midlothian and Lanark representation perhaps explains the difference in the ritual practised in Lodge St Fothad's from our neighbouring Fife Lodges.
Most of the founding members were Miners, employed by the Fife Coal Company in one or other of the three collieries in operation in the area at the time, The Josephine at Bowhill, the Minto at Brighills and the Lady Helen Colliery at Dundonald.
Sponsorship was pledged by Lodge Thane of Fife 781, Cowdenbeath and Lodge St Clair of Balbeggie 867, Thornton and with the recommendation of Provincial Grand Lodge of Fife and Kinross, the Charter was granted by The Grand Lodge of Scotland on 5th August 1909. The Lodge was given the number 1059 on the Roll of The Grand Lodge of Scotland, (a most appropriate coincidence , 1059 being the year Fothadh became the chief Bishop of St Andrews and in effect the Patron Saint of our Parish of Auchterderran. One school of thought is that Bro A. McNeill Houston and Bro Charles Hunter, knowing the significance of the number 1059, delayed registration to ensure that the 'coincidence' occurred).
The Consecration Ceremony was held in the Bowhill Hotel, Cardenden, the original home of Lodge St Fothad’s Auchterderran, Fife on 18th September when the above photograph was taken. The ceremony being performed by the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Fife and Kinross, Bro Henry H. Brown.
Bro. Charles Hunter was installed as the First Right Worshipful Master of the Lodge, his office-bearers being :
Bro. Robert Lessels Depute Master
Bro. Andrew Blackadder Worshipful Senior Warden
Bro. John McLachlan Worshipful Junior Warden
Bro. James Finlay Secretary
Bro. William Strang Treasurer
Bro. A. McNeill Houston Chaplain
Bro. Andrew Simpson Senior Deacon
Bro. David SA Paterson Junior Deacon
Bro. David Arnott Architect
Bro. William Craig Inner Guard
Bro. John Barclay Tyler
The Brethren thereafter sat down to luncheon, supplied by Bro. Alf Wilson, manager of the Bowhill Hotel with Bro. Charles Hunter, Right Worshipful Master in the chair.
The toasts were: “The King and The Craft” - Bro. Charles Hunter, RWM
“The Imperial Forces” - Bro. J. Tennant Gordon, PG Secy
“The Grand Lodge of Scotland” - Bro. Charles Hunter, RWM
“Provincial Grand Lodge of
Fife and Kinross” - Bro. A. McNeill Houston, Chaplain
“Lodge St Fothads” - Bro. J. Overstone, WDPGM
“Visiting Brethren” - Bro. W. Greenwood, PM
“The Croupiers” - Bro. Barclay, Tyler.
After moving from the Bowhill Hotel to the adjoining Hall, before 5 years had passed, The Lodge purchased the Masonic Hall situated next to the Bowling Green by the Miners’ Welfare Institute, Station Road from where it operated for many years. I have no doubt that photographs exist that were taken during the many successful Socials and Dances that were held there and I will be pleased to add any that are passed to me to the photo gallery.
However the minutes of the meeting held on 6th December 1966 record that the structure was ‘in a bad state’ probably due to subsidence and the Lodge agreed to ask their solicitor to investigate a case for compensation against the NCB. Funds were also to be made available for building repair and restoration.
Nothing more seems to have come of the proposed compensation claim and work was ongoing for the next few months to determine how bad the problem was with the building.
On 21st March 1967 the minutes record a proposition to hold a prize draw to raise funds for hall restoration and at the same meeting, a report was given by PM Bro Eddie Scott on an investigatory visit by himself and a few other Brethren to the Church of Christ Building in Orebank Road which was for sale. Bro Scott ended his report with a strong recommendation that the Lodge purchase the Church Building and dispose of their present one.
Events moved quickly and on 28th March 1967 a Special Meeting was held to hear reports from Messrs Hardie & Co, Assessors and a representative from the Town and County Planning Officer’s Department about the Church Building.
After lively discussion, it was proposed by PM Bro Eddie Scott and seconded by IPM Bro James T. Miller that the Church Building be purchased at a price of £350.00 and this was agreed to by the Brethren present. Messrs A & J Innes, Solicitors were subsequently engaged to act on behalf of the Lodge to expedite the purchase.
The plans for the new Lodge were finalized and presented to the Lodge Committee on 3rd October 1967 and work commenced the following September, volunteers being asked to assemble at the premises on Sunday 29th September to commence Alterations and Building works.
The tradesmen who carried out the work gave freely of their time and effort. The principals involved were: Bricklayers: (Brickie Tom ) Thomas McIntyre and Mitchell Brown. Joiners/Carpenters : Tom Kirk, Finlay Ferguson, John Wyllie & George McIntyre. Painter & Decorator: (Painter Tammy) Thomas McIntyre. The electrical work was mainly carried out by Jim Anderson.
Bro.Tom Kirk whose craftsmanship is evident in the carpentry and marquetry work displayed throughout the Lodge. 'Painter' Tammy McIntyre and Jim Anderson appear in the photo taken during the visit of the Grand Master Mason in 1973 and displayed below.
Progress reports and appeals for volunteers in particular trades and occupations to assist with the ongoing works until in May 1969 at a Special Meeting held in the Old Hall it was agreed to vacate these premises on 7th June of that year. Before the Hall was vacated however, the Ornamentation from the East comprising the Pillars, Canopy, Lights and Panelling was removed in one piece and moved by hand-barrow to the new premises where it was reinstalled into pride of place in the East as can be seen in our Photo page
In September, with the new Hall not yet ready to be occupied, dispensation was granted by Provincial Grand Lodge to change the place of Lodge Meetings and also to cancel regular meetings until the new premises were ready. It was not until 9th December 1969 that the first Meeting was held in the new Lodge Rooms, a business meeting covering all business held over until then, Dispensations, Nomination and Election of Office-bearers, Hall Lets, applications for Initiation, changes to Lodge Bye-laws to cover time and place of meetings, etc.. At that Meeting a vote of thanks was given to those who had worked tirelessly to prepare the new Lodge Rooms and the Brethren were reminded that a lot of work was still required to bring the Lodge to the standard dreamed of when the project was commenced in 1967.
The Consecration of the building was carried out by Provincial Grand Lodge in the presence of the Worshipful Provincial Grand Master Brother Lord Elgin on 18th April 1970.
On 2nd September 1972 the Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason Bro David Liddell Grainger with a deputation from Grand Lodge made a visit to the Lodge and were met and entertained by 57 Brethren and their Ladies. High Tea was served and the afternoon was spent in pleasant and informal conversation. In April 1973 The Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason made a return visit and on this occasion was accompanied by The District Grand Master of Ghana, Bro H.R. Annan and Provincial Grand Secretary, Bro R. Sloss.
Standing: Bros G. Harley,J. Camp,G. Wright,W. Rollo,T. McIntyre,W. Kirkcaldy,T. Kirk, J. Mitchell, J. Anderson,R. Fowlis,P.Mercer, D. Davidson,R. Sloss.
Seated: Bros E. Aitken, J. Young, H.R.Annan-District Grand Master of Ghana, David Liddel-Grainger - Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason, G. Whyte - RWM St Fothad's C. Wilson.
A Divine Service was held annually where the Brethren paraded to St Fothad’s Parish Church and took part in a church service. The day progressed in the manner of the following report from 1972.
‘Dispensation being granted to wear Regalia outside the Lodge, The Lodge was opened and adjourned whereupon the Brethren paraded to the church led by Bowhill Pipe Band. The parade made a colourful and orderly procession, brightening up a day of atrocious weather. After the service which was conducted by the Rev Alistair Younger, the Brethren again preceded by Bowhill Pipe Band returned to the Lodge where the Band were served with tea and sandwiches while the Lodge was resumed and closed with due ceremony. The Brethren then joined the Band in the lounge for refreshments.’
Since the unfortunate demolition of St Fothad’s Church, the Divine Service has been replaced by an annual visit by the Lodge to Auchterderran Parish Church. This visit takes place each year on Armistice Sunday in November. Permission being granted to wear regalia outside the Lodge, the Lodge is opened and adjourned, brethren form up and parade to the end of Orebank Road to its junction with Station Road, waiting there to join with the procession from the Ex-servicemen’s Club led by the Pipe Band and parade to the village War Memorial for the multi-denominational open-air Remembrance Service led by the village Clergy.
After the service there, the brethren parade the short distance to Auchterderran Parish Church, join with members of the congregation in their Sunday Worship and then parade back to the Lodge. The Lodge is resumed and closed with all due ceremony and the brethren retire to the lounge for refreshment.
Auchterderran parish Church.
St Fothad’s Social Club. Following the recommendation from Grand Lodge in respect of the Licensing Laws as they apply to social events and social clubs, The Licensing Sub-committee of the Lodge met in July 1972 to formulate the Rules and Regulations of the proposed St Fothad’s Social Club. Due to the difficulties involved in creating a Social Club which would operate in tandem with but separate from the General Committee, discussions and meetings with solicitors and licensing authority representatives dragged on until early in the new year when on 23rd January 1973 a special meeting was held at which the draft Constitution and Laws of the Social Club were approved and St Fothad’s Social Club created.
The Social Club Committee is responsible for organising the various social events throughout the year, including: A Ladies' Night; A celebration of our National Bard, Bro Robert Burns; A celebration of our National Saint, St Andrew and a Hogmanay Social to see in the New Year.