Lodge St. John (Kilwinning) Largs

After its formation, Lodge St. John (Kilwinning) Largs No.173 received a new charter from the Grand Lodge of Scotland, dated 2nd November 1789 by Bro. Francis, 8th Lord Napier as Grand Master Mason. However, the lodge already held a charter from Mother Kilwinning dated 21st December 1767. This was given by the master, Bro. Claud Thomson Esq., and is on display on the west side of the lodge room. This is a fantastic piece of masonic history. It would be interesting to see how many lodges hold a Grand Lodge charter and also a MK0 charter.

In order to join GL, sponsors were required. In Largs’s case, Rutherglen Royal Arch No.116 and Thistle & Rose in Stevenson No.169 acted as sponsors. Originally numbered 232 then after a re-numbering to to defunct lodges still on the roll, it became 171, 174 and finally 173 in1836.

It is believed that the charter meeting of the Lodge took place in a house in Tron Place (below right shows 19th C Tron Place on the left of picture) in 1789. From 1862, the masons of Largs would be based at The Brisbane Arms Hotel (The George), and Mrs Flarty's Freemason Arms was used between 1862 and 1866 for £1 a year.

The Baking Society's Hall was the next venue until 1870, and then Hunter's Hall, possibly the same place as Tron Place. The Victoria Hall inNelson Streetwas used from 1873. The following year, the lodge moved in with the Good Templars which might have been the old Artillery

Hall. In 1875, the new Artillery

Hall in Brisbane Road, at the corner of Seamore Street, was used (see bottom with Seamore on the left).

In 1910, the current Masonic Lodge at the top end of Frazer Street was built. Next month will focus on the new building.

My thanks to the lodge for using its history by Bro. Alan Galt PM.