The Michelham Priory Lodge
This unassuming doorway in the village of Herstmonceux
Leads to the Michelham Priory Lodge room. If you would like to see more about the inside of our Lodge, go to our Virtual Lodge page.
Michelham Priory Lodge was founded in 1928 and celebrated its 50th anniversay in 1978 and is a descendant of the South Saxon Lodge number 311 which was founded in 1796. Click here to see our Masonic family tree, starting with the South Saxon Lodge.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary a booklet was produced listing the founder members and includes a brief history of the first 50 years, which complements the short history of the Lodge by Bro. D.Swift in 1955. (See the continuation at the end of this page). Click here to view a copy of the Golden Jubilee booklet.
The Lodge was originally formed at Church Room, Victoria Road, Hailsham, with the event recorded in the Eastbourne Chronicle newspaper. You can view the paper's report and the later amendment here. Saturday 11 August 1928 and amended, Saturday 22 September 1928 and Saturday 29 September 1928.
In January 1962 the Lodge moved from Hailsham and held their first meeting at the new premises the former Castle Playhouse building on Gardener Street in Herstmonceux.
The Castle Playhouse 1931
Although the building is owned by Michelham Priory Lodge, it has become home to many Lodges and associated orders.
If your Lodge or side order is looking for a new home, then we might have just what you need, please contact the Temple Secretary.
The Lodge now
The following is an edited extract from, “A Short History of Michelham Priory Lodge” written in 1995 by Bro. D.Swift and delivered as a presentation in the Lodge on Thursday the 18th May 1995.
