Maple Street, Freemasons Hall

Shown on Ordnance Survey second edition. This is the oldest purpose-built Masonic Hall in Northumberland and is still in use by active masonic orders. The foundation stone was laid on 11 October 1870 by W. Bro. George Thompson Prov. S.G.W. (St. Peter's Lodge No. 481) Chairman of the Temple Company. A time capsule bottle was placed in the cavity of the foundation stone. The bottle contained one each of the coins minted during Queen Victoria's reign, newspapers and journals. The hall was dedicated on 23rd May 1872 in front of 200 Masons, by W. Bro. M.J. Cockroft Dep. Prov. G.M. for Northumberland, assisted by Lord James Murray (representative of the Grand Lodge of Scotland at United Grand Lodge, England), due to unavailability of the Provincial Grand Master The Right Honourable Earl Percy. The Masonic Temple closed in 1895. The building became a tea room and dance hall but re-opened as a Freemason's Hall at the turn of the 20th century. The temple is 46 feet long, 24 feet wide and 35 feet high. Original furniture survives in the East, the Warden's chairs, the Deacon's chairs and the Kneeling Stool in the West. Restoration work since the 1980s has included a new roof, replacement timbers in the north-west corner of the building, remedial work on the Festive Room floor and winding staircase, a new central heating system, renovation of the bar area, re-pointing and sealing of the whole building. On the east wall there is a carved arcade of wooden tracery. The screen is divided into stalls beneath which are placed carved chairs. The screen includes four lancet windows with stained glass depicting Masonic symbols and emblems. In the centre is the 'All Seeing Eye'. The top row of symbols are the Terrestial Globe, sun, moon and stars and celestial globe. The second row shows the Bible (representing truth), Justice with Scales, the Dove of Peace and a Beehive (representing industry). The third row shows Hiram Abiff (with plan), Solomon (with Temple model), Hiram of Tyre (with a sceptre) and Moses (with ten commandments). The fourth row shows an eagle (representing faith), an anchor (representing hope), a heart (representing charity) and clasped hands (representing brotherly love). The Temple is now the meeting place for Twelve Craft Lodges - St. Peter's (No. 481), Percy (1427), St. John's (1712), Delaval (2568), Eldon (3187), Lodge of Northumbria Insurance & Banking (3886), Achilles (4078), Pons Aelii (4523), St. Thomas (5420), Defendit (6049), Tynecastle (6317), Lodge of Sportsmen (9823). Five Royal Arch Chapters - St. Peter's (481), Percy (1427), Carville (2497), Duke of Connaught (3892), Defendit (6049). One Mark Lodge - Thomas Purvis (702). Red Cross of Constantine - Royal Kent Conclave (152). S.R.I.A: Newcastle College. The Order of Women Freemasons: Two Craft Lodges: Santuary (14) and Contemplation (59). The Masonic Hall is usually open for Heritage Open Days.