FREEMASONRY IN BANGOR

THE ORIGINS OUR TOWN The ancient settlement of Bangor in County Down, Northern Ireland, began as a monastic community. The community attracted people with various skills and knowledge and must have included stonemasons. Located by the sea, and surrounded by fertile land, it developed as a centre of learning and trade. Viking, English, Scots and Irish occupation, influenced the evolution of the town. Eventually, it became popular as a Victorian holiday resort, and expanded rapidly with the arrival of the Belfast and County Down Railway. Bangor is now a large dormitory town for commuters from Belfast. It has a popular boating marina, and supports a number of light engineering and service industries. THE FIRST SIGNS OF FREEMASONRY 1626 The oldest evidence of Masonic Symbols in the Bangor area is on a grave slab located just within the doorway of Bangor Abbey. The slab is crudely engraved around the outer edge with the words “Heir lyeth William Stennors Stonemason deceased 27 March 1626 and his wife Efon Watson” and in its centre is a shield which contains the Maul, the Square and the Compasses. It is assumed that he worked on the church building and he is also credited with the construction of the Watch Tower that still stands in Quay Street in the town, and which image appears on the enamel of Past Master Jewels of Bangor Union Masonic Lodge No. 746. (see side panels) THE EARLY DAYS 1791 The extant Grand Lodge Register shows that Warrant 746 was raised for Jas Scott, David Mahon and Andrew Wilson to form a lodge at Ballynure, Co. Antrim, but for some unstated reason it was not issued. The lack of record leaves us to speculate whether the political and religious turmoil of those years in Ireland had any influence on this outcome. 1806 We are fortunate to be in possession of the Minute Books, Account Books and Membership Roll, from the beginnings of a Masonic Lodge in Bangor. It operated irregularly when first constituted by members of Lodge No. 447 Newtownards and Lodge No. 675 Donaghadee. At that time there existed a rival constitution to Grand Lodge of Ireland. THE OFFICIAL BEGINNING 1811 Masters of Masonic Lodges 130 Comber, 180 Killeagh, 375 Ballygowan, 376 Ballywillan, 425 Saintfield, 746 Bangor, 792 Killyleagh, and 985 Greenhill, met in the Lodge Room of 133 Comber, when they resolved “to declare their strict loyalty, warm attachment and proper allegiance to the ancient establishment, the Grand Lodge of Ireland”. The front page of the first Account Book is notated “Warrant 746 was issued to Moses Jameson, John Whitty and George Lunn to hold a Lodge in Bangor, County Down on 9th November 1811, in lieu of Seton warrant” 1806 – 1816 We are unsure where our predecessors held their first meetings, but the accounts would indicate it was in a Tavern, or Inn, near the Quay. In 1816 records show that they met in Bro. Samuel Edgar’s, and in 1838 at Mr Hugh Campbell’s on the Quay, 1844 at Hugh Ferguson’s on the Quay, 1846 at David Barr’s, and in 1850 at the Royal Hotel which was then owned by Bro. Henry McFall. THE LEAN YEARS 1851 – 1859 The records contain little owing to poor attendance of members but the work of electing officers every six months was not neglected. These were hard times for the population throughout Ireland, and lean years were to follow for Lodge 746. 1860 At about this time the Treasurer was expelled by Grand Lodge. He refused to hand over the Warrant and other working tools. Lodge 746 was suspended by order of Grand Lodge on 2nd August 1860 but a dispensation was granted until the original document could be recovered. A GREAT REVIVAL 1870 It is uncertain how or when it was recovered, but Bro. Bowman informed Bro. R H Finlay, during a historical research, that he took over the Warrant from Bro. McFall and resuscitated the Lodge with the assistance of some Brethren from Belfast – thereby retaining custody of the Warrant. 1875 Warrant was restored and Lodge opened in due form on 27th May in the Market House, Bangor. A number of Past Masters officiated to install Bro. James Bowman as Worshipful Master. Lodge 746 was soon to become one of the largest and most prosperous in the North of Ireland. 1881 By influence of Bro. Lord Clanmorris, ground in Hamilton Road is acquired from Mr R E Ward at a nominal rent for the purpose of building a Masonic Hall. A NEW TEMPLE 1882 The laying of the foundation stone was a grand occasion reported in the Belfast Newsletter on 5th August 1882 - “The people of Bangor and an immense concourse of visitors witnessed today what may be described as the most imposing demonstration ever witnessed in this ancient seaside town…….It was estimated that about 6000 persons poured into the town by cars, boats and trains.” The most competitive tender for the building of the Masonic Hall was from McLaughlin & Harvey, their quotation for the whole extent of work being £1086.00. 1883 August 25th – Twelve months later the Northern Whig and Belfast Newsletter reported the opening and Dedication of the Hall. The architecture of the new Masonic Hall is described, and Lodge 746 is complimented for its vigour and advancement in the previous years. “The town was crowded at four o’clock and all wended their way towards the demesne of Mr R E Ward DL where the procession formed up in front of Bangor Castle in the following order: Tyler with drawn sword (J Pettigrew 746), Brethren of Symbolic Lodges according to seniority in pairs, Mark Master Masons, Royal Arch Masons, Prince Masons, and Inner Guard with drawn sword (Dr Higginson 746). After the ceremony some 350 guests were entertained to a luncheon in a spacious tent in the Castle grounds. The toasts then followed and the band played ‘God Bless the Prince of Wales’.” 1894 At about this time Bangor Masonic Lodge 746 adopted the word “Union” into its title. 1900 A letter of sympathy is sent to the Marquis and Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava on the lamentable but heroic death of the Earl of Ava at Ladysmith.