History of Lodge St Margaret No 548

By Bro Derek Milne
Past Master Lodge St Margaret No 548
Past Master Lodge Pioneer No 1305
Past Provincial Grand Chaplain
Honorary Grand Director of Ceremonies

11 May 2024
On the occasion of the Lodge’s Sesquicentennial Rededication Ceremony

Right Worshipful Master, Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason, Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Distinguished Brethren, Brethren All.

Lodge St Margaret No 548 lies at the heart of the former Royal Burgh of Queensferry and since it was chartered on 2nd February 1874 it has practised Freemasonry in these very premises for 150 years.

The Early Origins (17th – 19th Century)

A wonderful, inspiring thought and more than imagination can take us back to the true source of our Masonic Stream in Queensferry. Back before the Jacobite Rebellion, before the Battle of Culloden and the Darien Disaster—back to the Reign of Charles the First, back to Scotland in the mid-17th century when timbers were felled and stones quarried and prepared from the Ferry Glen just 250 metres to the east of the Lodge premises.

These stones and timbers were used by masons in 1633 to build the Parish Church, visible out of the windows along the north side of the Lodge Room, followed by the construction of the Burgh school classroom and school master’s house, which are now the current Lodge premises.

Today it is encouraging to think back over nearly 400 years when these masons would be part of the Incorporated Guild of Stonemasons, holding a Royal Charter and allowing them to work exclusively in this former Royal Burgh. No doubt these craftsmen would have established a Lodge of Operative Masons in Queensferry, where unpaid Apprentices were taught basic masonry skills and as these skills improved they became paid Journeymen and finally Master Masons.

These Operative Lodges of the 17th century gradually transitioned to Free and Accepted or Speculative Lodges and Freemasonry, as we know it, and it was into this background that the Grand Lodge of Scotland was formed in 1736 to guide and govern these Lodges in Scotland.

The Charters

• 1820: Queensferry had its first lodge, St Margaret’s Lodge No 288. However, it only lasted for 20 years and we have no records to tell us why it went dormant. The loss of this Masonic Lodge was sadly missed in Queensferry.
• 2nd February 1874: 34 years later, the Grand Lodge of Scotland granted a charter to Lodge St Margaret No 548, the sponsor lodges being Lodge Ancient Brazen No 17 and Lodge Kirknewton & Ratho No 85.

The consecration of the Lodge on 7th May 1874 by the Grand Lodge of Scotland was held in the hired School Room, the current Lodge Temple. It is recorded that Grand Secretary Bro Laurie strongly advised the Lodge to reduce the price of the ticket from 7/6d to 4/-. Fortunately this year we have received no such advice from Grand Secretary Bro Semple.

On 25th December 1874 the Lodge purchased the School Room and School Master’s house for £200.

The World Wars & Mid-20th Century

During the late 19th and early 20th century Lodge St Margaret was very active in the masonic traditions of participating in the laying of foundation stones at many construction projects including Bo’ness Docks, Broxburn Parish Church and the Masonic Temples for the Douglas Lodge No 409 in Bo’ness and Lodge Zetland No 391 in Grangemouth.

The Great War (WWI)

During the early part of the Great War the Lodge premises were commandeered by the Black Watch Regiment as a billet paying £3 per week in rent. At the conclusion of the occupation the Burgh Sanitary Inspector was involved in cleaning and disinfecting the Lodge premises.

At the regular Lodge meeting on Tuesday 12th November 1918, the day after the Armistice Signing in France, the Master referred in appropriate terms to the cessation of hostilities after 4 years. He intimated that 60 Lodge Brethren had been actively involved in the conflict and sadly six paid the supreme sacrifice.

Interwar & WWII Modernization

• 1927: The Lodge installed electric lighting and 5 sockets costing £34.
• 1930: Purchased the current east section (which was the Burgh Library) along with a parcel of land to the east of the building for £50 from Queensferry Burgh Council at a Public Auction.
• 1937: Installed gas central heating comprising 6 radiators at an annual rental of 13 shillings (65p) each.
• 1939: At the start of the Second World War the Lodge building was occupied by the Royal Air Force. When the Lodge re-occupied its premises, damage amounting to a repair bill of £106 – 9/- was discovered.

The Post-War Boom

The late 40s and 50s were halcyon days for Freemasonry. In 1946, forty men were initiated by Lodge St Margaret—obviously men looking to the Lodge for companionship following a period of global unrest.

Renovations & The Centenary (1963 – 2001)

The 2001 Fire

Sadly, on the 14th June 2001, a devastating fire caused extensive damage to the building. Fortunately, most of the Masonic artefacts were saved, apart from the portrait of Bro Alex Fraser. The repairs took 6 months and during this time the Lodge met at its near neighbours Kirkliston Maitland 482.

Global Connections & Community Charity

In early 2020, and in preparation for the Lodge’s Sesquicentennial Celebrations, the Brethren started to refurbish the Lodge temple. Due to the COVID pandemic and a shortage of building materials, this was completed in September 2022.

Freemasonry is a worldwide organisation and over the years Lodge St Margaret has visited Lodges in:

• England, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Denmark, Kenya, Florida, the Far East, South Africa, and the Caribbean.

Similarly, 548 has welcomed visitors from:

• England, Ireland, Germany, Finland, Denmark, USA, India, and the Far East.

A Legacy of Charity

One of the principle tenets of Freemasonry is charity. Over the years Brethren, their widows, members of the community and good cause organisations have all benefitted from Lodge St Margaret donations.

• 1887: The first record of a donation was out of the Master’s Relief Fund, where a visiting Brother from Lodge Royal Arch Cambuslang No 114 was given 2/- (10p)—the equivalent of £35 today.
• Since 2005: At an annual memorial fundraising dinner, the Lodge has raised nearly £70,000. Around £35,000 has gone to the Ferry Fair Children’s Festival and the rest to local organisations.
• This Year (2024): The Lodge has identified over 20 Queensferry organisations including bands, choirs, churches, youth groups and local good causes that will receive a cash donation to mark Lodge St Margaret’s 150 years in the community.

Conclusion

Brethren, Freemasonry’s enduring influence will continue, leaving indelible footprints upon the sands of time. Today, while we celebrate 150 years of Freemasonry in Queensferry, we also remember those Brethren known and unknown whose memorial is not in stone or mortar but is writ into the incomplete and continuing story of Lodge St Margaret No 548.

Thank you Brethren.