Chester le Street Masonic Centre is a great venue to hire for parties, weddings, funerals, clubs and all special events.
Station Rd, Chester-le-Street, DH3 3DU
FREEMASONRY
Six lodges meet here. The first met in this town in 1824. If you have ever wondered what goes on behind the door, this page is the honest answer.
THE LOUNGE
DINNING RESERVATIONS
ROOM HIRE
Freemasonry
FREEMASONRY IN CHESTER-LE-STREET
NO SECRET, JUST PRIVATE
Freemasonry has a reputation for being closed off. In practice, the hall on Station Road is one of the most open buildings in Chester-le-Street. The bar is public seven days a week, the function room hosts half the town's birthdays, and the men who meet here are your neighbours, tradesmen, teachers and retirees. This page tells you what the meetings are actually about and what joining would involve.
THE SHORT VERSION
What It Actually Is
Freemasonry is one of the oldest and largest fraternal and charitable organisations in the world. It is not a religion and it is not a political body. It takes no position on either, and both are left outside the door.
What it is, is a group of men who have agreed to hold themselves to a standard. Integrity, kindness, honesty, fairness and tolerance. Those values are taught through a series of ceremonies that borrow their imagery from the medieval stonemasons, using story and symbol to get a man thinking properly about his own character.
From that starting point comes the rest of it. Concern for other people, care for those who have less, and practical help for those who need it.
AT THE HEART OF IT
Three Grand Principles
BROTHERLY LOVE - Every Freemason is expected to show tolerance, respect and kindness towards other people, and to understand that a man's background is his own business.
RELIEF - Freemasons look after their own and they look after everyone else. That means charitable giving, and it means turning up for people in the town when something needs doing.
TRUTH - Members are asked to hold high moral standards and to aim for them in their own lives, not just to admire them in others.
THE QUESTION MOST PEOPLE ARE ASKING
Could I Join?
Probably, yes. There is no requirement to be invited, no requirement to know anybody already inside, and no particular background expected. Our members here range from men in their twenties to men in their eighties, in every trade and profession you can think of.
There are qualifications for membership, and they are simpler than people assume. You need to be a man of good character, you need to believe in a Supreme Being, and you need to come of your own free will rather than because somebody talked you into it. Beyond that, the only real requirement is that you are willing to take it seriously.
Ask us anything you like before you commit to anything. Nobody here is going to push you.
WHO MEETS HERE
Nine Lodges, One Hall
Nine craft lodges meet from our purpose built hall on Station Road, each with its own character, its own meeting nights and its own secretary. Some are long established, some are more recent. If you are thinking about joining, we can point you towards the one that suits you.
SINCE 1824
Freemasonry in Chester-le-Street
The first lodge in the town was Lambton Lodge, consecrated at the Lambton Arms in 1824, when Chester-le-Street had a population of barely two thousand. By 1923 demand was high enough that a second lodge was needed, and five more followed.
Two hundred years of the town's history runs through these lodges, and a fair bit of the town's history was made by the men in them.
Why become a mason?
At the heart of Freemasonry are its three grand principles
Brotherly Love
Encourages Masons to show tolerance, respect, and kindness, promoting harmony and unity regardless of differing backgrounds.
Relief
Represents a duty to practice charity and provide assistance to those in distress, including both members and the broader community.
Truth
Challenges members to seek wisdom, continually strive for self-improvement, and uphold high moral and ethical standards.
Testimonials
"Had my 60th birthday party at the Masonic Hall on 11th May, everyone had a fabulous night. Staff were helpful and friendly, great prices on drinks, fantastic atmosphere. The catering was also amazing! I’d strongly recommend as a venue for a function!"
Gail Foley Scott
contact us
Have a an event in mind? Share your ideas and requirements with us, and our team will get back to you ASAP
Contact the Masonic Centre today
Or call 0191 3034208 after 7pm on weekdays and 4pm on weekends
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