The Consecration of Abbey Lodge No. 945
Abbey Lodge was numbered 1247 when it was consecrated in 1863, but, later that year the United Grand Lodge changed the registration to 945, the number it still holds.
The following is an extract from a contemporary report of Abbey Lodge's consecration.
The consecration of this new lodge took place at Abingdon, on Thursday, April 30th, when eminent brethren of the Craft graced the meeting with their presence, amongst whom were Bros. R. W. J. Mclntyre, G. Registrar, Col. Bowyer, PGM of Oxford, Alderman R. J. Spiers, F. S. A., DPGM Oxford, P. G. S. B; Huyshe, G. Chaplain, Thompson, PPSGW the worshipful Mayor of Oxford, and other eminent brethren, members of Grand Lodge and Grand officers of the province of Berks and Bucks, and. Oxfordshire.
The Roysse Room
Abbey Lodge dined here when meetings were held in the Council Chamber
The consecration ceremony was performed in a most impressive manner by the RW Bro Æneas J. Mclntyre, G. Registrar, acting PGM, and the arrangement of the music, incidental to the consecrative (sic) ceremony, was under the able direction of Bro. Dyson, PPGDC Berks and Bucks, who has made this portion of the ceremony his especial study. He was assisted by Bros. Marriott, Whitehouse, and Lambert, the latter presiding in an able manner as Organist, and by his good and correct taste adding greatly to the effect of the vocal music.
The Oration was delivered in a very impressive manner by Bro. Rev. - Mortimer, Chaplain, as was an able exposition of the principles of Freemasonry.
Bro. Rev. Richard Whitmore Norman was installed by Bro. Spiers, who performed the ceremony in a most admirable manner, during which a very effective chant was sung by the musical brethren, in the chorus of which all the brethren joined. The officers, named in the warrant, Bros. Rev. Richard Whitmore Norman, Warden of St. Peter's College, Radley, PM (460), and PPSGW Oxon, WM, Richard Badcock, Mayor of Abingdon, (425),SW, John Blandy Jenkins, (460), JW, having been severally invested with their collars, and the routine business finished the lodge was closed in ancient form and a parting hymn was beautifully, sung by the musical brethren.
The Abingdon Council Chamber
For many years the home of Abbey Lodge
The brethren then adjourned to the Council Chamber, where a sumptuous banquet was prepared by the worthy host of the Crown and Thistle, Mr. Phillips, and served in his best style. After the banquet grace was sung by Bros. Marriott, Dyson, Whitehouse, and Lambert. Bro. the Rev R. W. Norman then gave in eloquent terms the toast of “The Queen and Craft”, which was drunk with all the honours and followed by the National Anthem— "God save the Queen." The next toast was that of "The Prince and Princess of Wales and the Royal Family," which was drunk with enthusiasm, followed by the song— "God Bless the Prince of Wales,"
The Abbey Lodge Charter
The Abbey Lodge Declaration Book entry for its first Initate
