St Mary’s Lodge
Lodge Number: 8373
Market Drayton
Address
The Grove Sixth Form Centre
Newcastle Road, Market Drayton TF9 1HF
Meeting Date
Fourth Monday in month
September to April (except December)
Installation Date
September
Lodge Secretary
Contact the Lodge Secretary
Lodge Profile
St Mary's Lodge was founded in 1971, and is one of 36 Masonic lodges in the Province of Shropshire warranted by the United Grand Lodge of England. St Mary's meets at the 6th Form College, The Grove School, Market Drayton. The meetings are held monthly, usually on the fourth Monday of each month from September to April inclusive, excluding December, although an adjustment is sometimes made to account for Easter.
The evening begins at 1800h with a Ceremony followed by other Lodge business. Subsequently, at about 2000h, we have a formal meal called the Festive Board. The evening normally ends by about 2200hr.
Rehearsals for Ceremonies are held normally on the Thursday evening before each meeting, and Brethren who are involved are very much encouraged to attend. New members are included early on, and most follow a well-structured progression which ultimately will lead them to become Worshipful Master of the Lodge for a year. In time, Brethren will be encouraged to visit other Lodges, perhaps join other Orders and/or do other work according to their inclination and abilities.
We have an active Lodge of Instruction which meets once a month at a local pub during the Masonic season.
In addition to Masonic meetings, the Lodge holds social events and informal gatherings, and often supports those held by other lodges and the Province. Partners and friends are often welcomed to these. Money raised by the Lodge is donated to its own charities, to the Shropshire funds and also to the national Masonic charities, which give impressive donations to many worthy causes.
St Mary's membership is drawn from many different backgrounds, welcomes different Faiths and a spread of ages too. It is an important rule, however, that religion and politics should never be discussed at a Masonic meeting. Experienced members are tasked with supporting new Brethren through our Mentoring system.
We enjoy our Freemasonry, and also the friendship and social connections within the lodge. We are always ready to accept new members.