The name
Chantry is taken from The Chantry of Milton one of the oldest buildings in Gravesend.
After
the end of World War II, there were many Master Masons coming home on demobilisation and who found their chances of advancing
in their Masonic Careers were blocked by men who for one reason or another had been away during the war period. This situation
was made worse by the numbers who wished to join the craft. The only way to relieve the situation was to form new lodges and
several Gravesend lodges each sponsored a new lodge. One of these was Chantry, the founders of which
mainly came from Beamish Lodge No. 3869. Looking at the list of founders one sees two whom were already Masters of other lodges
and many more were members of more than one lodge especially the older and more senior members. Such was their keenness and
desire to help the younger members of the craft.
The prime
movers for the formation of the new lodge appear to have been Bro. John Curtis and Bro. Jim Hearnden who approached W. Bro.
Bill Sage for help. He sought advice from W. Bro. Leslie Martin who held the rank of PprGReg. He had also been involved in
the formation of an Old Boys Lodge in another province before the war.
During
the discussion to work out the details and when the lodge should meet, it was suggested that the brethren should not dine after the meeting (except on installation night) but merely have sandwiches. It was then agreed to dine
when there was an initiate and also it should
be a teetotaller lodge ! Luckily sanity prevailed before
any of these ideas were set in tablets of stone !
Thanks to the hard work of the founder Secretary
W. Bro. Leonard Saynor, ably assisted in these matters by W. Bro. Leslie Martin the Lodge was duly consecrated on the 29th July 1947 in the Old Town Hall at Gravesend by the Provincial Grand Master the late Lord Cornwallis. This involved
moving all the lodge furniture from the Masonic Hall to the Town Hall. Prior to the meeting the founders had entertained their
guests and the Provincial Executives to luncheon at The Masonic Hall.
It is
of interest to note that the lodge warrant is rather unique as it was not signed by the Grand Master, The Earl of Harwood,
who had unfortunately died during this period, but has been signed by Brig. General William. H. V. Darell Asstistant Grand
Master.
The first regular meeting of the lodge was held on the 22nd October 1947 when the first two candidates Bro. A. Martin and Bro. A. Steadman were
initiated. This is the only time the lodge held an ordinary meeting in October as that meeting is fixed as the installation
meeting.
At the installation meeting 26th October 1949 the lodge banner which had been hand made by Mrs J. Curtis was presented to the lodge by her husband
and founder Bro. Curtis and dedicated by the Provincial Chaplain W. Bro. The Reverend H. Harwood. The banner depicts the Chantry
of Gravesend, one of the oldest buildings in the town. A look at the banner and a look at the existing roof of this building
will give an idea of the painstaking accuracy or the work put in by Mrs J. Curtis.
Also at this meeting W. Bro. L. C. Martin presented the lodge with The Volume of The Sacred Law, which is still used
at every meeting. This gift was received on behalf of the lodge by the Provincial Grand Secretary. Another gift to the lodge
were the working tools and these were made and presented to the lodge by W. Bro.
G. E. Smith, a founder and these working tools have been used continuously since their presentation. He also made a kneeling
stool with the lodge name carved on the hand rest. Unfortunately this stool was found to be too heavy and has fallen into
disuse.
In July
1972 the members of the lodge and their ladies dined together at the Masonic Hall to celebrate the 25th Anniversary
of the consecration of the lodge and at the dinner the then Master, W. Bro. H.
G. Stratford, presented the silver goblet to the lodge for the use of the Master at the festive board. Since then the Wardens
of the lodge have been presented with toasting goblets.
In November
1997 the members of the lodge and their ladies dined at the Masonic Hall to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the
consecration of the lodge and at the dinner the members and their guests were presented with a firing glass to mark the occasion.
At the same meeting the Provincial Grand Master the Right Worshipful Bro John Bonomy presented 50year Certificates to W.Bro’s
Tony Martin, PPSGW and Bert Steadman, PPDGR
The Officers
and members of the Lodge down the years have strived to maintain the objectives set by the founders but as the Fraternity
competes with the demand for the time of the modern candidate, the definition of a ‘Happy Lodge’ spreads beyond
the excellence in which it undertakes the ritual to include the Social calendar and the involvement of Ladies in Lodge activities
where possible.
The mix of family, Lodge and work is a key ingredient
in achieving the next 25 years and the ability to maintain the Lodge traditions and reputation within the Order
To finish
we must make comment on The Lodge of Instruction which has with success instructed
Master Masons committed to the ritual and guided them through to the higher Offices of the lodge. The Lodge of Instruction
has always been a happy Lodge of Instruction with keenness and competition with the members has always prevailed, although
there are weekly meetings of The Lodge of Instruction through the lodge season, these meetings continue regularly throughout the summer recess period in various members houses. The success of the Lodge of Instruction
must go first to those members who have supported by attending in large numbers and Past Masters who have given and still
give their time and patience to instruct the younger members.
NON NOBIS SOLUM
( not merely for ourselves
)
