|
A Brief History of the Combermere Lodge of Union No. 295
Combermere - 'The Oldest Macclesfield Lodge'
The Early Years Freemasonry has been established in the town of Macclesfield since 1717.
The present Combermere Lodge of Union, No. 295, originally known as the Lodge of Union, was constituted in 1793. The first extract from the minute book states: - '7th. March 1793, the first meeting of the Lodge was held by permission of the Master and Brethren of the Beneficent Lodge'.
The present Lodge owes its existence to the Brethren of Lodges, which met in Macclesfield during the mid 18th century. Brother Timothy Jones. Holding the Office of Tyler of the Lodge of Union 1799
These Lodges were-
(1) The Knights of Malta Lodge, No. 47 which was constituted on the 30th January 1764 and whose warrant was returned in 1800. (Known as our Grandmother Lodge)
(2) The Beneficent Lodge, constituted in 1789 and whose warrant was returned in 1822. (Known as our Mother Lodge)
(3) The Lodge of Union, constituted 24th June 1793, and is today known as the Combermere Lodge of Union, No. 295.
In the 18th century, much conflict existed between the two so called ‘Ancient’ and ‘Modern’ Grand Lodges and was reflected in the development of these early Lodges. In 1789, the brethren of the Knights of Malta Lodge, No. 47; which had been consecrated under the ‘Ancient’ constitution, applied for and obtained a warrant from the ‘Modern’ Grand Lodge for the establishment of a new Lodge to be known as the Beneficent Lodge, No. 545.
The Founders of this new Lodge were also members of the Knights of Malta Lodge, No. 47. Brother Birtles, secretary of both Lodge 47 and the Beneficent Lodge, placated and assured the Ancient Grand Lodge by writing “We do not by any means intend to relinquish our warrant No. 47”. However, by 1800, members were having difficulty in maintaining payments to both of the Grand Lodges and a decision was taken to return the warrant of the Knights of Malta Lodge to the Ancient Grand Lodge on the 12th August 1800.
It was agreed that in the future, the Beneficent Lodge should be under the Modern constitution only. From 1789, the Beneficent Lodge held its meetings at the New Angel in the Market Place, Macclesfield and moved to the Unicorn Inn, Unicorn Gateway, in the Market Place in 1804. However, it did not survive and it is not known whether it continued to hold meetings in the Unicorn Inn until its warrant was surrendered in 1822. In fact, nothing much is known of the affairs of our Mother Lodge during the 30 years of its existence because none of its minute books has ever survived.
Changes in Name and Number During its history, The Combermere Lodge of Union has undergone four number changes as well as a modification of its title or name.
1. When constituted in 1793 it was known as the Lodge of Union No. 526.
2. In 1813 the two Grand Lodges were united under the Grand Master the Duke of Sussex. This resulted in changes in Lodge numbers and the Lodge of Union became No. 555. In 1832, there was a general review of Lodge numbers and on 17th October 1839, the Lodge of Union became No. 372.
3. From 1846 the Lodge has been known as The Combermere Lodge of Union in honour of Field Marshall the Viscount Combermere who was then the Provincial Grand Master of Cheshire.
4. In 1863 there was another number change resulting in the Lodge adopting its present title of Combermere Lodge of Union, No. 295.
Lodge Meeting Places. The meeting places of the Lodge also changed from time to time usually because of dissatisfaction with facilities, disputes or lack of respect shown towards the brethren.
1793 - 1815 The Childer’s Inn*, Brunswick Street. (Then known as Goose Lane).
1815 - 1817 The Unicorn Inn, Unicorn Gateway, Market Place, Macclesfield.
1817 - 1818 The Hen and Chickens, Derby Street. (Then known as Barn Street).
1818 - 1821 The Golden Lion, Mill Street, Macclesfield.
1821 - 1829 The Unicorn Inn, Unicorn Gateway, Market Place.
1829 - 1857 The Childer’s Inn*, Brunswick Street
1857 - 1930 The Macclesfield Arms Hotel,
1930 - To date. The Masonic Hall, Riseley Street Macclesfield.
* Also known as 'The Flying Childers' and later remamed to 'The Feathers Inn'.
 Click image to Enlarge
In June 1862, members of the Combermere Lodge of Union met to consider a proposal for moving from the Macclesfield Arms. It was proposed and unanimously passed; “That it is very desirable to hold all Masonic meetings unconnected with public house, Inn or Hotel influence wherever it can be accomplished and that a committee be appointed to select suitable premises in the town and to negotiate the rental, lease or purchase of such premises”. This attempt proved unsuccessful, as did several other attempts during the latter part of the 19th Century.
On seventh. February, 1929, a committee formed of the five Lodges then established in Macclesfield - The Lodge of Unity, The Combermere Lodge of Union, The Thomas Lockitt Lodge, The Whiston Lodge, and the Old Castle Lodge, recommended that the house known as ‘Oak Lea’ (or ‘Oakleigh’) in Riseley Street should be purchased to be converted into a Masonic Hall. Notice was given to the Macclesfield Arms Hotel that the Lodges would give up the room used as a Masonic Lodge on 31st. March 1930.
On the evening of Thursday 6th March 1930, the brethren of the Combermere Lodge of Union held their last meeting at the Macclesfield Arms - having met there continuously for 72 years. The meetings for April, May and June were held at the Stanley Hall because the new Masonic Hall and Lodge Room was not ready. The Lodge met for the first time at Riseley Street on Thursday 4th.September 1930.
Provincial Warrant - 1793 The warrant of Constitution for the formation of the Lodge of Union, No. 526 (now the Combermere Lodge of Union, No. 295) was granted at Chester on the 24th June 1793 by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, under the seal of the Provincial Grand Master. 
This was “to authorise and empower Brother Thomas Hibel, to be Master, Brother George Rowson, to be Senior Warden, Brother Pyott to be Junior Warden, to form and hold a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons at the house of Edward Wynne known by the name of ‘The Childers' in Macclesfield upon the first Thursday in every calendar month”. No doubt, this was meant to be a temporary warrant until one would be issued by The Grand Lodge in London.
However, it appears that no such warrant was ever issued. This has, in the past, caused some concern regarding the actual legality of the Lodge. Communications with Grand Lodge on the matter took place in 1871 and again in 1962, but no evidence of a Grand Lodge Warrant being issued was ever found.
In order to allay any future concern, The Grand Lodge issued a directive, which stated that when any explanation of the warrant is given in the Lodge, we of the Combermere Lodge of Union, No. 295 may have the unique distinction of using the following formula. “This is our Charter or Warrant issued by the Provincial Grand Master of Cheshire in 1793, also our centenary and bi-centenary warrants issued by the United Grand Lodge of England in 1893 and 1993 respectively”.
The 150th. Anniversary of the Lodge was celebrated on 24th. June 1943 under the Mastership of James Wilson who later presented a Past Masters Jewel to the Lodge to be worn by each succeeding Immediate Past Master, whilst holding that Office.
On the 24th June 1993, the bi-centenary of the Lodge, together with the 276th. Anniversary of continuous Masonic activity in Macclesfield were celebrated with Brother Neville Poyser in the Chair.
The M.W. Pro Grand Master the Rt. Hon. Lord Farnham and the R.W. Provincial Grand Master for Cheshire, the Rev. Canon W. Stanley Walker were present and as a memento of the occasion each received a suitably engraved silver ‘Armada’ dish. Brother T. R. R. Richards, later to become the Provincial Grand Master for Cheshire, presented, on behalf of all Macclesfield Masons, an original copy of a book entitled ‘Cheshire Churches’ which was written by his late father, Raymond Richards.
The Lodge Bible The Combermere Lodge of Union Bible (known amongst Masons as 'The Version of The Sacred Law') has been in continuous use at our meetings since its presentation by Brother Thomas Pyott in 1793. Traditionally, it is taken home by each Master during the summer recess and the leaves turned in order to assist in its preservation. This volume is now in excellent condition following its renovation in 1994 by Brother. D. N. Wild, and Brother J. I. Munro, in memory of their respective fathers Brother W.A. Wild, and Brother D. J. Munro, both of whom were Past Masters of the Lodge.
Festivals of St. John For almost thirty years following its constitution in 1793 the Worshipful Masters of the Combermere Lodge of Union held office until the next St. John’s Day, of which there are two during the course of a year, popularly known as St. John in summer and St. John in winter. This meant that each Master held office for only six months. However, in 1821 this practice was discontinued and Masters have since all held office for the full year following their installation in January.
Cheshire is the oldest Masonic Province in England
The Combermere Lodge of Union No. 295 is the three oldest lodges in Cheshire. 
These senior Lodges are-
1. Unanimity Lodge No. 287 - Stockport. Constituted, 12th. July 1792.
2. Kings Friend Lodge No. 293 - Nantwich. Constituted, 14th. March 1793.
3. Combermere Lodge of Union No. 295 -Constituted, 24th. June 1793.
As one of these Senior Lodges the Master of The Combermere Lodge of Union has the privilege of forming the escort, along with the other Senior Masters of Cheshire, on the installation of a Provincial Grand Master of Cheshire.
Noteworthy Celebrations In April 1892, the brethren of Combermere Lodge of Union began their preparations for the Centenary Festival to be held on 5 Jan 1893. The 250th Anniversary of the Masonic Province of Cheshire was celebrated on 14th September 1975 at Gawsworth Church.
Masonic Openness Unlike today, the Masters and brethren of the Combermere Lodge of Union in the past undertook very prominent public roles, e.g.:-
1823 Laying the foundation stone of the New Town Hall.
1838 Laying the cornerstone of Trinity Church, Hurdsfield.
1849 A dispensation was received from Lord Combermere the Provincial Grand Master - “to form a procession in Masonic form and clothing for the purpose of laying the foundation stone of the Public Baths and Wash Houses”.
1897 Installation of the Master of the Combermere Lodge of Union was held at the Town Hall.
1932 A letter was received from His Worship the Mayor of Macclesfield thanking the brethren of the Lodge for attending the procession to St. Michael’s Church on Armistice Day.
There were also many instances of Masonic funerals, one of the last recorded being that of Brother Henry Kelly, in 1949.
Regular Masonic Church services were held, sometimes in full Masonic clothing.
Daughter Lodges
The Thomas Lockitt Lodge No 3371 is one of the two existing 'Daughter Lodges' of the Combermere Lodge of Union but there was an earlier daughter Lodge - The True Friendship and Christian Charity Lodge, No. 411 founded in 1805. It met at the White Horse in Longnor, near Leek in Staffordshire. This Lodge was founded because of the difficulty experienced by the brethren in travelling the 16 ‘difficult’ miles between Longnor, and Macclesfield. It is somewhat curious that the brethren of the Longnor Lodge should, in 1815, instruct the brethren of their Mother Lodge in the new workings which were introduced as a consequence of the creation of the United Grand Lodge of England in 1813. It is believed that True Friendship and Christian Charity Lodge, No. 411 continued to meet at Longnor until 1841.
The Thomas Lockitt Lodge No. 3371 was consecrated on the 15th May 1909 and is one of two surviving Daughter Lodges. It was unanimously agreed that Brother Thomas Lockitt should be appointed Master for that year. This he fulfilled and sadly later died two years later, on 25th June 1911. He lived respected and died regretted.
 Thomas Lockitt was was a Pharmacist who had a chemist shop at 34 The Market Place, Macclesfield. It was most likely that he lived above his shop for many years. Records from a local 'Seeds Directory' dating 1910, show that he moved from Market Place to a house called 'Homelea' on Victoria Road, where he lived until his death in 1911.
Lockitt was one of Queen Victoria's Justices of the Peace and an eminent Macclesfield Mason. He was initiated into the Combermere Lodge of Union in 1859 and served as Worshipful Master three times - first in 1863 then 1872 and again in 1893. The Thomas Lockitt Lodge was founded to enable the numerous brethren to progress through the various offices in a shorter time than would otherwise have been possible in either of the two Macclesfield lodges, which then existed.
In the year 1912, several of the members of The Combermere, thought the time opportune for creating another Daughter Lodge in the town of Macclesfield. As with the formation of The Thomas Lockitt Lodge, three years earlier, it was decided to honour another worthy Brother from Combermere, who had then completed forty-eight years as a Freemason, namely Wor. Brother William Whiston. Twenty two of the thirty four Founders of the Whiston Lodge were Brethren of Combermere.
Each of the Masters of the Whiston Lodge, up to the year 1924, claimed that The Combermere Lodge of Union was his 'Mother Lodge, i.e. the first twelve Masters of The Whiston Lodge came from Combermere.
The Transfer of the Lodge of Unity to Macclesfield - 1844.
The closure of our Mother Lodge, The Beneficent Lodge, No. 454 in 1822 meant that until 1844, the Combermere Lodge of Union (then No. 372) was the only remaining Lodge in Macclesfield. In 1844, at the invitation of the brethren of the Combermere Lodge of Union, the Lodge of Unity (then No. 533) transferred to Macclesfield from Salford where it had met at the Freemason’s Tavern.
This was done with the approval of Grand Lodge. The probable reason for the move was that the membership of the Combermere Lodge of Union had become too large.
The Lodge of Unity held its meetings at the Macclesfield Arms Hotel. The first meeting of this our sister Lodge took place in November 1844 under the Mastership of Brother John Smith, a member and Past Master of The Combermere Lodge of Union.
The Lodge of Unity is the oldest Lodge in Macclesfield and enjoys a friendly rivalry with its sister Lodge; The Combermere Lodge of Union, which although younger, has held its meetings exclusively in Macclesfield since its formation in 1793 and is justly known as 'Macclesfield's Oldest Lodge'.
In 1864, Lord Combermere, a leading Cheshire Freemason, was installed as the Provincial Grand Master of Cheshire. It is hoped that the good works he began will continue to be perpetuated throughout the years by the members of this ancient and honourable lodge, which bears his illustrious name.
A Combermere Lodge of Union business paper dated May 28th 1896
Please click on the images below to enlarge
      
|
