After the last 2 years of missed meetings due to COVID, Epping Forest Lodge were delighted to be celebrating 100 years on Monday 13th June at Loughton.

44 brethren enjoyed a lovely meeting where we received a delegation from Essex Provincial Grand Lodge, including our Provincial Grand Master R.W. Bro Paul Tarrant.

We were delighted to receive the Centenary certificate and an oration from the Provincial Grand Chaplain.

We were then treated to a fantastic 7 course menu that re-created the one from our consecration in 1921. Everyone was delighted with courses including Consumme, Sole, Lamb, Duck and Sorbet, as well Wines to accompany the great food.

During the meeting we also heard a history of the Lodge. It was especially nice to have brethren from our daughter lodge, Stedfast Unity present too, as well as those from fellow Lodges that meet at Loughton.

To be celebrating 100 years of continued meeting is a real milestone and we were all delighted to see so many visitors and members support the meeting. The years following the great war were especially significant for Freemasonry, as men returning from war looked for something to provide companionship and togetherness following those dark times.

We heard how the Lodge began and how it grew to over 65 members with regular “double” initiations to keep up with the flow of new members wishing to join.

Our Lodge historian pulled together some old photos, Lodge furniture and other memorabilia that really brought those formative years to life. They showed how important Freemasonry was to the members, both then and now.

Learn more about our history, or enquire about joining Freemasonry in Loughton. There’s also more about Freemasonry in Essex here.