Kilmarnock Lodges The following has been extracted from the book The History of Kilmarnock published in The St Andrew’s Lodge, No. 12 6, was institut1864. ed in 1771. Its first Right Worshipful Master was Mr Thomas Boston, who appears from “The oldest of our Masonic Lodges is the Kil- the minutes of the lodge to have been fremarnock Kilwinning S t John’s, No. 22. It is quently appointed to that office. The lodge also one of the oldest existing lodges in Ayr- has continued to prosper and to hold regular shire originally holding of Mother Kilwinning. meetings from its formation to the present It was instituted in 1734. The unfortunate time. last Earl of Kilmarnock was one of its originators and was its first Right Worshipful Mas- In 1767 another Lodge was formed in the ter. town and called the St Marnock but it does not now exist. Its last meeting was in 1818. BRETHREN, We return you humble and hearty The first Right Worshipful Master of St Marthanks for the honour you have done us, in nock was William Park of Langlands, surgeon. sending your Worshipful Master and Warden In 1770 that office was held by William, Earl to constitute a lodge here dependent upon of Glencairn. The Rev. Mr Mutrie of the Low yours. We shall always acknowledge our Moth- Church was chaplain and among the honorer Lodge with all due realty and submission in ary members were the Honourable John Cunafter calls and assisting her poor’s box, as far ningham, brother to the Earl of Glencairn, as is due from a grateful daughter to so wor- James Dalrymple, Esq . of Orangefield. shipful and ancient a mother. Meantime we have sent three pounds to your box by your There was, we may add, another Lodge in the Worshipful Master, as an acknowledgment of town, called the St James Nethertonholm, Kilthe favour you have done us, and the duty we marnock, but it has not existed for a number owe you. of years.” KILMARNOCK, Master. Ro PATERSON, Senior Warden. Wm RANKIN, Junior Warden Today St. John Kilwinning No.22, St. Marnock No.109 (reformed) , St. Andrew No.126 and Besides the Earl of Kilmarnock, a number of influential gentlemen were connected with Saint Clement Riccarton Kilwinning Kilmarthe lodge in its early years. Among these were nock No.202 exist in London Road Masonic Sir D avid Cunningham of Corsehill, Thomas Hall, Kilmarnock. Boyd of Pitcon, Alexander Montgomery of Coilsfield, Peter Cunningham of Bourtreehill, Charles Dalrymple of Langlands, Robert Paterson, town- clerk, William Park, surgeon, and James Muir, Master of Arts. The Earl of Errol was Master of the lodge in 1761. Among the members at a later period were William Parker, banker, Thomas Samson, Gavin Turnbull, the poet and John Wilson, the printer of the first edition of Burns’s poems. Burns also was connected with the lodge having been enrolled an honorary member in the autumn of 1786.
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