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The history of palladian lodge

Palladian Lodge, the oldest surviving lodge within the Province of Herefordshire, takes its name from the famous 16th Century Italian architect, Andrea Palladio. When the Warrant for the Lodge was issued, on 12th October 1762, it was initially numbered 290. That number was changed to 196 in 1813 and again to 141 in 1832. Its current number, 120, was subsequently issued in 1863.

The Lodge was consecrated at a meeting held at the White Hart Inn, Hereford, under the direction of its 16 Founder Members, with William Underwood being elected to serve as the first Worshipful Master.

In the days before Provincial Grand Lodge was formed and until the first Deputy Provincial Grand Master was appointed, Palladian Lodge played an important part in the development of Masonry in Herefordshire. Indeed an early Lodge minute book incorporates those of the Provincial Grand Lodge, which was consecrated at the Bowling Green Inn, Bewell Street, Hereford on the 12th August 1791.

Bro. Samuel Sebastian Wesley, organist of Hereford Cathedral and Grandson of the famous Christian evangelist, Charles Wesley, was a member of the Lodge, as was W.Bro. Sir Percy Hull, another Hereford Cathedral organist and close friend of Sir Edward Elgar. An earlier subscribing member, being admitted in April 1815, was His Grace, the Duke of Norfolk, who, unfortunately, was to remain a member for only a few months before he died.

During its lifetime, Palladian Lodge has met at various locations within the City of Hereford but since October 1929, apart from around the time of the Second World War, it has met at the Masonic Hall, Kyrle Street, Hereford. It continues to prosper, celebrating the 250th anniversary of its consecration in October 2012.

Grateful acknowledgement to W.Bro. Alwyn Williams, P.J.G.D., for permission to use extracts from his book, “A History of Craft Freemasonry in Herefordshire 1727 – 2000”.