Brief history Freemasonry in Bradford!

November 1883:   

• Several Masons from the Bradford district, all from Regular Lodges in the area, held a meeting in the Imperial Hotel, Bradford and resolved to found a new lodge and this new lodge should be teetotal. 
• “The question of forming a masonic lodge on temperance principles was discussed, there appears to be no difference of opinion as to the desirability of carrying out the idea
• Following further meetings over a few years, it was agreed that an application be made to Lodge of Hope No.302 (the senior lodge in Bradford), for permission to petition to form a new lodge.
• This application was successful – it should be noted however, that the "PGM", at that time (PGM - Provincial Grand Master, is the head of the Provincial or Regional Grand Lodge) RW. Bro. T W Tew, refused to support the petition until he had received written consent from every Lodge in the Bradford district. Many conversation, discussions and letters later (mostly regarding the name of the new lodge – more information on this will follows in another article), approval was granted to form a new temperance lodge.

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September 1889:  

• Lodge Acacia No.2321 was consecrated at The Masonic Hall, Darley Street, Bradford – with the PGM preforming the ceremony. W.Bro Alfred Stephenson, a Past Master of the Prince of Wales Lodge No. 1648 was installed as the first Master of Lodge Acacia. 
• The ceremony having been successfully completed, the Brethren dined on:

Filleted Sole & White Sauce

Roast Beef

Roast Lamb

Roasted & Boiled Ham, Tongue & Pigeon Pie

Grouse & Partridge

Tea & Coffee

• Records show that a motion was submitted (at one of the early meeting of the Lodge), to introduce the sale of intoxicating liquors – but this was defeated. But we know that this motion was reintroduced successfully a short time later
  • the Brethren obviously missing ‘refreshment’ following their labours in the Lodge.
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September 1892:  

• The Lodge changed its meeting from the Second to the First Thursday of the month.

May 1899:  

• A special Lodge of Emergency was held. The Deputy PGM, W.Bro Richard Wilson unfurled the new Banner of the Lodge (he was subsequently elected as an honorary member).

February 1907:  

• The first Daughter Lodge christened “Ionic Lodge” was consecrated at The Masonic Hall, Rawson Square, Bradford – the ceremony being conducted by W.Bro Richard Wilson, Deputy PGM. 

January 1908:  

• Acacia moved from the halls in Darley Street to the Freemasons Hall, Westgate, Bradford.

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May 1911:  

• Worshipful Master, Bro Robert S Town receives a presentation from the Deputy PGM, qualifying him as a Life Governor of the West Yorkshire Benevolent and Educational Committee – The brethren of the Lodge having subscribed the sum of 100 guineas for this.

September 1920:  

• A second Daughter Lodge, "Doric Lodge" was consecrated by R,W.Bro Sir W P Raynor, PGM. Doric also meeting at the Freemasons Hall, Westgate.

1928:  

• Sees the completion of the Connaught Rooms on Manningham Lane, Bradford, on the 4th October the Lodge moves to these new buildings – which would remain it’s home for many long years.

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1939:    

• Golden Jubilee celebrations had to be curtailed due to the outbreak of war. 
• During the war, the Lodge did continue to meet on a regular basis, albeit with reduced numbers (as many members were absent serving with the Armed forces, the Home Guard, the National Fire Service, the Special Constabulary & Civil Defence organisation). 
• Bradford was not high on the Luftwaffe target list, but thankfully the bombings that did occur left the Connaught Rooms unscathed – records show that the Lodge was able to meet throughout this period. 
• The annual subscriptions were reduced to 1 guinea for those serving in H.M. Forces. 
• After the war when food shortages and rationing were still prevalent, the Festive Boards obviously were scaled back considerably. It is interesting to note that during this period, the Lodge (and its members), received food parcels from overseas – from Lodges bearing the Acacia name – notably, Acacia No. 22 of Vancouver and Acacia No. 209 in New Zealand. These parcels were very well received, giving an undoubted lift to the after-lodge festivities – not only for their contents, but also for the Brotherly friendship of the thoughtful masons (and their families) that had sent them.

1950’s:   

• The 50’s saw the Lodge receive many visitors from overseas lodges bearing the Acacia name: Acacia Lodge No.33 of Montana, Acacia No. 276 in Australia, to name but two. Lodge subscriptions were increased to 7 guineas (1951) and then to 8 guineas in 1954.

1972:    

• W.Bro Ross Hawkes, a Grand Officer of the Grand Lodge of New York attended the Installation meeting of the Lodge, presenting the Master with a specially inscribed gavel – which is still used by the Master today. 

1986:  

• It was reported that W.Bro Bairstow (ex-member of the Lodge) had been installed as Worshipful Master of St Augustine Civic Lodge No.4, in Christchurch, New Zealand.

September 1989: 

• W.Bro Birkenshaw, Master of the Lodge welcomed the brethren and visitors to the Centenary Celebration of the Lodge.

The Founders of the Lodge

• Alfred Stephenson, PPGDC, Prince of Wales Lodge, No. 1648
• Samual Albert Auty, Airedale Lodge, No. 387
• Joseph Wilson, Eccleshill Lodge No. 1034
• John Ramsden Riley, PPGDC, Eccleshill Lodge No. 1034 & Quator Coronati Lodge No. 2076
• Samuel Arthur Bailey, Prince of Wales Lodge, No. 1648
• Edward Pearson Peterson, Pentalpha Lodge No. 974
• John Thomas Last, Airedale Lodge No. 387
• Thomas Wainman Holmes, PPGOrg, Pentalpha Lodge No. 974
• John Haigh, Integrity Lodge No. 380
• John Swaine Swithenbank, Prince of Wales Lodge, No. 1648
• George Althorpe, PPGP, Shakespeare Lodge No. 1018
• John Robert Welsman, PGDC, Harmony Lodge No. 600 & Morecambe Lodge No. 1561
• Samuel Robinson, PSec, Eccleshill Lodge No. 1034
• William Parkinson, Eccleshill Lodge No. 1034
• John Niven, Friendship Lodge No. 750
• Arthur Holmes, Baildon Lodge No. 1545 & Olicana Lodge No. 1522
• Alfred James Boyle, Scientific Lodge No. 439
• Thomas Jowett, Prince of Wales Lodge No. 1648
• Herbert William White, Prince of Wales Lodge No. 1648
• John Thornton, Scientific Lodge No. 439