FREEMASONRY
"a system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols."
Beginnings The Consecration Chronicles 1945-1970 Part 1
Part 2 Chronicles 1971-1995 Chronicles 1995 - Present
After the European conflict of 1914-18 and its subsequent impact upon society the early 1920's saw a rapid revival of masonic interests in Darlington. Between 1920-29 five new lodges were consecrated, where as prior to this between 1761-1910 only three lodges were in existence. This increase in masonic lodges in many ways reflected the parallel expansion of Darlington in terms of its economic and industrial prosperity, its rapidly increasing population, its attractive situation and environment and its cultural and religious heritage.
A further 16 years were to pass before the founders of Darlington Lodge No 6158 organised their petition:
'The 1930's started in depression with industrial strife and ended with the country at war; the 1940's began with the darkk years of world war, followed by the austerity of the post war period as the town tried to return to normality.'
Part of this return to normality for a number of Darlington masons was to petition for a new lodge which would in some small measure reflect their own traditions. The founders of the lodge came from all walks of life - accountancy, engineering, banking, auctioneers, company directors and secretaries, electrical and radio whole salers, artist and sign writer, commercial traveller, chiropodist and schoolmaster. Seventenen of the founders came from existing town lodges - St Oswald No 4260 (5); Hugh de Pudsey No 4490 (4); St Cuthbert No 3417 (3); Commercial Travellers No 5089 (1); and one founder from each of the following lodges - Rose of Raby No 1650; Whitworth No 1932; Tristram No 2415; Vane No 3110; and Corinthian No 5808. The majority of the founders were in their late middle age and belonged to mother lodges which had large memberships and many felt that progress through their lodges would be slow and perhaps for some too late. They were all keen masons and wished to progress and contribute to the development of masonry in the town.
Apart from their bond of friendship through their masonic lodges the founders were also well known to each other through their business and professional lives. There were however two overriding influences which brought these brethren even closer together, their spiritual fellowship through church life and their passion for music. Many of them were active in their local church as elders, chorister, choir master or organist and were strong supporters of the Darlington Operatic Society which continues to date.
The founders were also strongly linked with the Methodist Church and the Temperance Movement and it is undoubtly because of this strong relationship that Darlington Lodge became the first, and to date the only temperance lodge in the town.
The Petition was succesful with a date of warrant issued on August 1st, 1945; and on a cold, bright, but blustery Saturday October 13th; 1945, at the Technical College in Northgate at 3pm Darlington Lodge No 6158 was consecrated.
Beginnings The Consecration Chronicles 1945-1970 Part 1
Part 2 Chronicles 1971-1995 Chronicles 1995 - Present