On this page are items of interest pertaining to Lodge Thistle, which I have found over the years:- This extract is from the history of Lodge Thistle No 127 by Bro Archie Chalmers PM.
Bro. Andrew Brown, Writer in Stewart on, was enrolled as an Honorary Member of Lodge Irvine St. Andrew on 27th December 1781, "As a mark of respect for him as a gentleman and a Brother"
Since Lodge Thistle sponsored the Lodge of Irvine St. Andrew and Bro. Brown was the Master when the Lodge was formed in 1780; this appears to be a friendly gesture in recognition of his role in obtaining their Charter.
The Lodge was present at the Laying of the Foundation Stone of the Parish Church, Beith, in March 1807.
The Lodge was present at the Laying of the Foundation Stone of Irvine Academy on April 22, 1814.
The Lodge was represented at the Laying of the Foundation Stone of the Monument to Robert Burns in Ayr on 25th January 1820.
The Lodge was present at the Laying of the Foundation Stone of the Parish Church, Tarbolton, on the 26th of April, 1820. The Stone was laid by the then R.W.M. of Lodge Thistle, this being the Mother Lodge of the Master Builder, Brother Gate.
Extract from a book entitled "Cunninghame" by George Robertson. 1820. Contained within a Chapter on Masonry:- "Besides the Mother Lodge, Kilwinning, there are the following Lodges at present in the District of Cunninghame; Beith St. John's; Fenwick Moira; Irvine St. Andrews; Kilmarnock St. John's; Kilmarnock St. Andrews; Kilmarnock St. James; Kilmarnock St. Karnack; Largs St. John's; Loudoun New-Mills; Stevenston Thistle and Rose; and Stewarton Thistle Lodge. The whole of these harmonic societies may also be considered as associations for the relief of the sick and indigent. They all have funds appropriated to that purpose, some of which are very considerable. The last one mentioned, Stewarton, has at present a common stock of £512, and the average aliment for the last five years, paid to the sick and indigent members, amounted to £35/10s yearly".
Brethren from Lodge Thistle were present at the Church Service and Address to the King (George IV) by the Masonic Lodges of Ayrshire, held in the Old Church, Ayr, on 31st August 1821.
The Lodge was represented at the Consecration of Lodge DaIry Blair No. 290 on December 20, 1821.
The Lodge was also represented at the Consecration of Lodge Dunlop Caledonian No. 311 on the 4th of August, 1824.
The Lodge was represented at the Laying of the Foundation Stone of the Spire, Assembly Rooms, and other rooms erected by the Magistrates and Council of Ayr on March 28, 1828.
The "Dunlop Caledonian" Lodge invited the Lodge to attend the Laying of the Foundation Stone of Captain Dunlop of Dunlop's House on Tuesday, September 10th, 1833. I cannot confirm that they attended, but they likely did.
The Lodge was in attendance at the Laying of the Foundation Stone of St. Marnock's Church, Kilmarnock, on the 21st of August 1834.
1839. Extract from "History of The John Knox Church, Stewarton" - 'After May 1839, when the Congregation lost the use of the present Congregational Church, a temporary place of Worship was found in the Hall of an Inn, The Mason Lodge - a poor place. But it had to serve:'
The Lodge was present at the Laying of the Foundation Stone of the Monument to Sir James Shaw in Kilmarnock on the 4th of August 1848.
A deputation from the Lodge was present at the 1855 Laying of the Foundation Stone of the Monument to Sir William Wallace at Barnwell, Kilmarnock.
The first record of an actual Lodge Meeting in Stewarton that I have come across was in the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald of 5th January 1857. it reads as follows:-
The brethren of the Thistle Lodge met on the last night of the old year. Our young Flute Band played the R.W. Grand Master to the Mason's Hall where a deputation from St. Andrews Kilmarnock joined their Stewarton fellows of "the Mystic Tie", and spent a few hours in social intercourse. "Hey, The Merry Masons", where have they all gone? Only a few years ago, the Thistle was large and flourishing, but it has dwindled away fearfully of late, and we would suggest to the Office-bearers the propriety of making a strenuous effort either to animate the old root or cut it down. The Officebearers for the ensuing year are James Gillies R.W.M.; Alex Dunlop D.M.; John Smith S.M.; John Allan S.W.; John Holburn J.W.; Robert Nelson Treasurer; James Skeoch Secretary; John Currie Snr. G.S.; John Paton Jnr. G.S; William Smith A.S.; Matthew Young A.S.; John Smith P.M.; and Robert Wylie Tyler.
The following Installation Meeting report informs us that after the Installation of the R.V.M. and Office-bearers, "the Brethren, at about half-past nine, for the first time in some years, proceeded to perambulate the principal streets of the Town in Masonic costume, accompanied by The Stewarton Instrumental Band."
This custom of parading the streets continued until the early 1900's
The Lodge was represented at the Inauguration of the Monument to General Neill in Ayr on October 13, 1859.
8th March, 1860. A number of the brethren of Lodge Thistle met in the Commercial Inn and entertained Bro. James Gillies, Esq., Builder, to a supper and presentation. Bro. John Caskie, Esq., Surgeon occupying the Chair, presented Bro. Gillies with a silver snuff box for himself and a gold brooch for his wife. The inscription on the snuff box is:- "Presented to James Gillies, Esq., R.W.M. of The Thistle Lodge of Stewarton, by the Brethren, and a few friends, as a mark of respect."
A deputation from the Lodge attended the Laying of the Foundation Stone of the Monument to Sir William Wallace at Abbey Craig, Stirling, on Monday, June 24th, 1861.
The Inauguration of the Monument to Honour Archibald, 13th Earl of Eglinton, at Ayr on 21 October 1865 was witnessed by Brethren from the Lodge.
December, 1866. The Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald contains this report:- "Stewarton - This has been a very busy week amongst our Freemasons. The goat must have sore legs, as it has had a very hard work this week, as also the worthy old groom, who can only turn it out to give a fast and sure ride from the region of darkness to the land of the blessed light. We are sure that he has the best wishes of all true Masons, and may he live to enter many members to the Stewarton St. John's Lodge."
1st March, 1867. The Bye-Laws of Lodge "Thistle", Stewarton, was approved by the Grand Committee of Grand Lodge.
Was this the first set of Bye-Laws of the Lodge?
25th July, 1867. R.W.M. John Paton and 8 Lodge Thistle No.127 members were present at the Funeral of Sir Archibald Alison, Bart., Past Provincial Grand Master of Glasgow.
21st May, 1868. The Lodge was present at the Centenary of Lodge St. Marnock, Kilmarnock, No.109.
The Laying of the Foundation Stone of the Lainshaw Viaduct at Stewarton on the 3rd of August, 1868.
April 17th, 1869. Bro. John Currie, Bonnet Maker, was afforded a Masonic Funeral by the Brethren of Lodge Thistle. Bro. Currie had been, for many years, the Treasurer of the Lodge. The Brethren, who all wore white gloves, walked in front of the coffin.
This is the first occasion I have found of a Masonic Funeral being conducted in Stewarton.
The Lodge was represented at the Laying of the Foundation stone of the Paisley Free Library and Museum on April 27, 1869.
29th May. 1871, the Lodge Celebrated its Centenary.
The lodge's brethren were present at the Laying of the Foundation Stone of the West Kilbride Parish Church on August 10, 1872.
1st December, 1872. Bro. James Chalmers, Ironmonger, was Installed as R.W.M. of Lodge Thistle No. 127.
Bro. Chalmers was the brother of my great-grandfather John Chalmers, who was also a member of the Lodge.
The Lodge was represented at the Laying of the Memorial Stone of the New Public School in Kilwinning on September 25, 1875.
Brethren from the Lodge were present at the Laying of the Memorial Stone of the New Academy in Kilmarnock on November 20, 1875.
3rd January, 1876. Stewarton. This evening a meeting of brethren from various Lodges here convened to hear charges against a brother from Stewarton of his having communicated the Secrets of Freemasonry to parties outside the Temple; Several witnesses appeared, but the charges were not made good. The outsiders say they did not get the Mysteries of the Craft from the Brother charged but from a book bought from a local bookseller. This is a cheap way of getting a ride on the goat!
A deputation from Lodge Thistle was present at the Laying of the Foundation Stone of the New Post Office in Glasgow in October 1876.
The Lodge was in attendance at the Laying of the Memorial Stone of the Burn's Monument in Kay Park, Kilmarnock, on the 14th of September 1878.
Members of Lodge Thistle witnessed the unveiling of Burn's Statue in Kay Park, Kilmarnock, on August 9, 1879.
31st January, 1882. Members of St. John's Thistle Lodge, Stewarton, No.127. met this evening in the Masonic Hall, Bro. Andrew Turnbull, R.W.M. presiding. After a supper, the D.M., Bro. Thomas Turnbull made a presentation on behalf of the Lodge to Bro. Alexander Pollock, P.M., who was leaving to reside in Kilmarnock. The "handsome timepiece was suitably inscribed:- Presented to Brother Alexander Pollock by the Freemason Thistle Lodge, Stewarton, No.127 as a token of respect, January 31st, 1882."
The Lodge was present at the Laying of the Foundation Stone of the Established Church in Langside, East Renfrewshire, on October 3, 1885.
The Brethren of Lodge Thistle were present at the Laying of the Foundation Stone of the Spiers School, Beith, in September 1887.
The Lodge was represented at the Laying of the Foundation Stone of the New Lodge of Mother Kilwinning on September 17, 1892.
The Lodge was also present at the Consecration of the New Lodge of Mother Kilwinning on September 30, 1893.
27th December, 1894. Brother Alexander Pollock, P.M., had just served the Lodge for another two years as R.W.M. The Brethren of the Lodge presented him with a Past Masters Jewel in appreciation of how he had served the Lodge over the past years. The Jewel, which had been made by Bro. John Cassells, the Jeweller, bore the inscription:- "To Brother Alexander Pollock from the Brethren of Stewarton St. John's Thistle No.127 27th December 1894."
The Lodge attended the unveiling of the Burn's Statue in Irvine on July 18, 1896.
The Brethren of the Lodge were present at the Laying of the Foundation Stone of the National Burns Memorial and Cottage Homes in Mauchline on the 23rd of July, 1896.
The Laying of the Memorial Stone of the New Masonic Temple of Lodge Thistle and Rose, No.169, Stevenston, on 26th March 1898, was witnessed by brethren from Lodge Thistle.
The Lodge was present at the Consecration of the New Masonic Halls, John Finnie Street, Kilmarnock, on the 26th of October 1899. Bro conducted the Consecration Ceremony. William Mure of Caldwell, R. W. Depute P.G.M. of Ayrshire. (I.P.M. of Lodge Thistle No.127)
It is sad to note that from my research, I have noticed a marked absence of Masonic Lodges being invited to carry out the Ceremonies of Laying the Foundation or Memorial Stones of Public Buildings and/or Churches after the turn of the century. Whatever the reasons were, it was a great loss to the Craft and a Tradition which will not be revived except on the occasion of a Lew Lodge Temple or some other Masonic celebration. I will remember for a long time the occasion of the Grand Master Mason Bro. Sir James W. Mackay attended Lodge Livingstone No. 599 to Lay the Foundation Stone of their New Temple on Saturday 4th, April. 1981. Almost a year later, Sir James Consecrated the New Temple on Saturday, 3rd April. If the joy and gladness of these two days were anything compared to the processions that took place in the 1800's, they would indeed be impressive and leave lasting memories for all who witnessed them. It is also a poor reflection on the modern day that such events are given very little, if any, mention in the local or national press.
It is now known, from my research, that the Ceremony of Laying the Foundation Stone of the Lainshaw Viaduct in 1868 was conducted by the Freemasons - with Lodge Thistle No.127 playing a leading part. I wonder if the Lodge was involved in any other such ceremonies in the Town? One I would like to think the Lodge was at was the Laying of the Foundation Stone or Memorial Stone of the Old Bridge, which crossed the Annick at Kirkford. The stone reads ANNO DOMINI MDCCLXXV, which means 1775 A.D. As the Lodge was in its infancy then and would no doubt be full of enthusiasm I feel that they would have made sure that they played their part. Perhaps this may be proved or otherwise in the future.
The lodge continues to play a very important roll in Stewarton and within freemasonry in Ayrshire and beyond.
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