… and of Freemasonry in Sudbury
Our Hall
Freemasonry has existed in Sudbury since the 18th century. However our tale must begin in 1868 with the Consecration of Stour Valley Lodge. Some eighteen years later a member and local builder Frederick Jennings built our present home, then known as the Freemasons Temperance Hotel, and leased the Temple and anti-room at the annual rent of £24 to the Lodge.
It was not until 1919 that a few farsighted Brethren purchased the freehold for £700. The building however continued as before, a hotel and club with no dining facilities. The Lodge dined around the town, the favourite haunts being the Rose and Crown Hotel (destroyed by fire in 1922) and situated where Winch and Blatch stands today, then moving to the Four Swans Hotel in North Street, again, with its magnificent ornate plastered ceiling, destroyed by fire.
In 1937 the Trustees purchased the adjoining Mount site, a row of Victorian cottages of no architectural merit. It was not until 1967, upon the receipt of the generous legacies of Brothers RW Bell and C Buckney, and the decision to sell the Mount site for development that plans were agreed to rebuild the premises as they are today. In the meantime two new Lodges had been consecrated to accommodate the growing number of candidates, namely Priory in 1924 and Babergh in 1967, as Freemasonry thrived.
Masonic Bodies
Our Hall now hosts the following:
Stour Valley Lodge no. 1224 founded 1868
Priory Lodge no. 4618 founded 1924
Babergh Lodge no 8122 founded 1967
Gainsborough Lodge no. 9332 (A Lodge of Research) founded 1990
Sportsmans Lodge no. 9931 founded 2016
Martyn Chapter no. 1224 founded 1886
Priory Chapter no. 4618 founded 1988
Suthburgh Lodge of Mark Master Masons no. 1210 founded 1957
Suthburgh Lodge of Royal Arc Mariners no. 1210 founded 1975
Martyn Preceptory no. 544 of Knights Templars founded 1987
Simon of Sudbury Chapter Rose Croix no. 247 founded 1924
Society of Rosicrucians in Anglia
Our Temple
The Temple, although extended during its history, has lost none of its Victorian lustre. The organ has seen sterling service since it was presented by a local surgeon, Dr. W. Inglis Mason in 1886. The Loft is adorned by five illuminated stained glass panels. The centre one was presented by the Brethren of Priory Lodge, whilst the remaining four commemorate the Rev. Charles Martyn of Long Melford, Sudbury’s greatest Mason.
The Masters and Wardens chairs have been the subject of many a lecture and debate. Crafted from Spanish mahogany they were purchased from the landlady of the Rose and Crown Hotel in 1874, who held them in security of a debt from the defunct South Suffolk Lodge. Included in the purchase were the two sets of Chippendale chairs used in the Temple. Too much emphasis can not be placed on these beautiful chairs, they are, without doubt, among the finest Masonic furniture in the country.
Later 1917, during a time of conflict and distress, Brother Frank Nott presented the three stunning inlaid tracing boards, the finest in the Province. Then later the splendour of the Temple was further improved by the gift of Brother PS Head who donated the corner cupboard on which are depicted two of the tracing boards.
The Men
The founding Master of Stour Valley, Brother Thomas Holland, was a local builder of repute as was Brother Frederick Jennings who constructed our Hall. Many local worthies frequented our Temple, far too many to mention here. However the Grimwood dynasty, again builders and proprietors of the gas works, must be mentioned along with the Wheeler family, auctioneers, timber merchants and accountants. The Thorogood family, three generations of whom have served Priory Lodge.
Edward Fitzgerald, who as Mayor of Sudbury in 1928 conferred the freedom of the Borough on the American ambassador General Dawes, and of course the greatest of them all, the Reverend Charles Martyn, the most generous benefactor to Long Melford and all the areas fraternal societies, without whom Freemasonry in South Suffolk would have died.
These, and many more always put their civic duty before self, serving in all the towns offices, including many mayors. Their commitment to charity as it is today, cannot be questioned and without their historic generosity many of our local institutions and societies would have declined.
Two past masters of Stour Valley Lodge Lt. Colonels Charles Tippett and William Armes made the supreme sacrifice in 1915 at Suvla Bay and their portraits still today adorn our committee room.
Management
The deeds of the building are held by the Trustees but the executive body is the Hall Management Committee comprising of Brethren of all the Masonic bodies that meet here. The day to day management, bookings, maintenance, bar etc. is the responsibility of the resident manager, who reports to the Hall secretary.
Our Place in the Community
For generations our Hall has been used by local families for weddings, parties and wakes. The towns clubs, companies and organisations host conferences, meetings, Christmas parties and dinners. Our fraternity has, quietly, been at the forefront of local charity for over one hundred and forty years, not only financially, but also by offering our historic Hall to support those other charitable bodies who support our community.
So welcome to our home. Our Temple, two bars and magnificent dining hall stand today as a humble monument to those men and women who have through the generations achieved so much to preserve the historic fabric of our town.