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A BRIEF HISTORY OF MITRE LODGE
The Lodge owes its existence, above all, to the zeal and enthusiasm of one man. Arthur Benjamin Hodgson was appointed Headmaster of Archbishop Holgate’s Grammar School, York, in 1937 and remained in post until ill health brought about his retirement in 1959 and an untimely death in 1961.
Affectionately known to staff and pupils alike as ABH, he was justly proud of his school and held strongly to the belief that associations and friendships formed at school and based on a sense of fellowship and common purpose were invaluable in later life, reflected by honesty, sincerity and fair dealing, qualities not unknown to Masons.
In the late 1940s, he set out to assess the strength of support there might be from existing members of the Craft who were past or present masters or Old Boys of the school for the formation of a Lodge for their convenience. Early indications were encouraging and matters were pursued in 1952 culminating in the establishment of a body of founders who took the steps necessary to the formation of the Lodge, under the sponsorship of Albert Victor Lodge, No. 2328 and with the support of other existing Lodges in the city.
The Lodge’s name comes from the prominence that a mitre played in the ethos of the school. The mitre was the school badge and the name of the school magazine and it was the custom of the time to ‘award a mitre’ to a boy for sporting prowess instead of the usual practice of ‘awarding colours’.
Consecration of the Lodge took place in The Assembly Rooms, York on Wednesday, 21 April 1954 when over two hundred Brethren were present and the first Regular meeting was held on Wednesday, 5 May at Duncombe Place, by arrangement with York Lodge No. 236, at which the twenty-eight Founders welcomed twelve Joining Members. Duncombe Place was to be ‘home’ for the next forty-three years.
A steady supply of candidates and good support from existing members ensured that the Lodge developed its own characteristics. One of these was that Brethren should be given the opportunity to take part in the work as soon as they felt ready to do so - a practice happily continued.
In 1973, the Lodge was active in the formation of ’The Friends of Connaught Court’, a body which supports the RMBI residential Home in Fulford. Links have remained strong and Mitre Lodge hold Lodges of Instruction and committee meetings there as well as inviting residents to our regular Lodges.
In 1976, preliminary discussions started with a view to establishing a link with De Drie Kolommen Lodge No.13 (The Three Pillars Lodge) of Rotterdam. These proved successful and marked the beginning of a friendship which continues, with reciprocal weekend visits taking place at two-yearly intervals, using the very convenient Hull - Rotterdam ferry. A Lodge is held on the Saturday afternoon, during which the ladies rest, see the sights or enjoy ‘retail therapy’, with a meal and entertainment on Saturday evening and an excursion and meal on Sunday before departure.
The tide of fortune for the Lodge ebbed somewhat during the next three years. When changes to the structure of education were announced with the school to become co-educational and comprehensive, it was forecast that the flow of potential candidates would be affected. Sadly, this proved to be the case and by the end of 1980, with a static membership and rapidly increasing costs, the viability of the Lodge came into question. Members were faced with the choice of ‘going open’ or of surrendering the Warrant. Happily, they voted in favour of the former.
The first candidate with no school connection was initiated in November 1981 and for the next few years applications to join came with regularity. The importance of our connection with the school was emphasised in 1991 when the Lodge became a member of the Federation of School Lodges.
At the end of 1996, events forced us to look for a new home, which we found at St. Saviourgate, thanks to the kindness and cooperation of Eboracum Lodge No.1611 and Minster Lodge No. 4663. There had been a noticeable slowing down in the rate at which potential candidates appeared and membership was falling. Not that this meant disillusionment or a lack of zeal. Possibly quite the opposite. We raised our contribution to the renovation of the St. William Window in York Minster, started serious discussion over the design of a banner and started to plan for an Open Evening to help to spread the word of what Freemasonry really was about.
The Open Evening in May of 1999 was a total success. Over one hundred visitors were present and we received seven membership applications as a consequence. All were accepted and all have proved themselves to be right and proper persons! The banner was dedicated in November.
Our fiftieth birthday in 2004 was celebrated in some style, with a meeting attended by the R.W. Provincial Grand Master, a visit from our Dutch friends and other appropriate events and activities.
We look forward to continuing to practice those Masonic virtues which have brought us together and kept us together; brotherly love, relief and truth.
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