EPPING FOREST LODGE No 4263
A Short History
The Warrant of this lodge was granted on the 21st June 1921. At the request of twenty one petitioners, mainly from the UNDINE LODGE No 3394 who were desirous of forming a new lodge in Essex.
Consider the general world situation and Masonic scene previous to the time of the Consecration. The great War had ended in November 1918 and the Nations that had participated were weary and exhausted. More than ten million soldiers had been killed. In 1919 an Especial Grand Lodge was held at the Royal Albert Hall, in celebration of peace. Masonary, like every other institution had suffered a great loss and the time was probably right to strengthen the membership by creating new lodges.
‘ Undine’ our mother lodge was founded by members of a Temperance Friendly Society in 1909. They successfully petitioned Grand Lodge and on Thursday the 23rd June 1921 they consecrated a daughter Lodge to be named Epping Forest. Because of the large number wishing to attend, a dispensation was obtained for the Provincial Grand Master, Colonel The Right Hon. Lord Lambourne to consecrate the Lodge at Freemasons Hall. London.
The early years proved to be industrious and rewarding. The Lodge, despite the problems of shortages and unemployment, survived the General Strike and the Great World Strike triggered by the Wall Street Crash. Dispensation was obtained for several additional meetings. Meetings were held on 5 Saturdays a year. A steady intake of candidates meant that two degrees per meeting could be worked
By 1938 Europe was again in turmoil and it was in this year that the secretary, W. Bro Robert Relton de Relton a Abrabrelton was appointed to Grand Rank. (Acting AGDC) The Lodge did not have another of it’s own Grand Officer, until W.Bro. James E Fretwell received his first Grand Rank PGStB Appointment in 2001, Promoted to PAGDC in 2010
War conditions were bad. A photograph was made of the warrant and the original was deposited with Grand Lodge. The regular meeting dates were adjusted and the ordinary meetings were not resumed until 1944.
A momentous decision was taken in 1946 when a ballot removed by a majority the by-law which prevented intoxicating liquors being allowed at the festive board.
The Lodge has had the privilege of sponsoring two daughter lodges and has qualified as a Hall Stone Lodge, A Founding Lodge, Royal Masonic Hospital, A Patron of the Royal Masonic Hospital, A Patron of the Royal Masonic benevolent Institution and most recently A Double Grand Patron of the Essex “2011 Festival”.
In 1991, after considerable preparatory work by the founding Scribe E, E.Comp. James E. Fretwell, the Deputy Grand Superintendent Consecrated Epping Forest’s own Royal Arch Chapter. E Comp Jim was appointed PAGDC in the RA in 2003, Promoted to PGStB in 2014.