Vernon Lodge (IC

The Vernon Masonic Lodge, Coleraine was the first “named” Lodge when constituted under warrant No. 123 from the Grand Lodge of Ireland on 8th May 1741 (other Lodges only had warrant numbers). As the first minutes in "No.1 -Vernon Lodge Book -Minutes" relate to 18thJanuary 1750 the early history of the Lodge is not recorded or was recorded in a minute book that no longer exists. Early records of the Lodge are in a fine state of preservation and are still in the possession of Vernon Lodge No. 127, Coleraine.

These old records contain the very earliest references to the Royal Arch Degree, yet discovered, in a Lodge Minute Book and the Lodge worked as well in the Royal Arch, the Knight Templar and Rose Croix Degrees, under the Craft Warrant.

It would also seem likely that Dominick Heyland was the first WM as his is the first entry. Also the Lodge jewels (WM and Wardens) were presented to the Lodge by W.Bro. Heyland in 1747 as they are inscribed as such and the jewels are still worn by the WM and Wardens of Vernon Lodge, No. 127, Coleraine. Plaques relating to the life and death of the Heyland family can be found on the walls of St. Patrick’s Church, Coleraine.

Unfortunately the warrant was returned in 1783 and when the Lodge jewels were used to re-constitute Vernon Lodge, Coleraine the warrant No. 123 was already out and the nearest available was 127 and so Vernon Lodge was reconstituted under warrant No. 127 on 7th November 1857.

An interesting aside is the lodge’s name. Bro. Admiral Edward Vernon was a well known admiral in the British Navy who introduced the ‘black tot’ for each sailor. Bro. George Washington actually served under him so much so that he that impressed he named home Mount Vernon.