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Stockport Masonic Guildhall

Stockport Masonic Guildhall was originally a Wesleyan Sunday and Day Methodist School built in 1868, known as the Brentnall Street Schools. The site was purchased by the Freemasons of Cheshire in 1931 and converted for their use, eventually opening in 1932. Located on the edge of Stockport town Centre, Greater Manchester, the building still remains on the outside in its original form and structure, with added extensions to the rear. The building is still used for Masonic purposes but is also available for community use. The Masonic Guildhall is today predominately used for Community based events, with the Girl Guides, Scouts and many Charities making use of the facilities provided. Charities recently supported by the Masonic Guildhall include Stockport Against Abuse, Christies, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Christies, The Parkinson’s Society and many others.

HISTORY

Originally, there were plans for a Masonic Temple to be constructed on the A6 at junction with Kennerley Road, Davenport. However, this project was abandoned when the Brentnall Street Schools were bought. In 1932, a company was formed - The Stockport Masonic Guildhall Limited – and Masons were invited to become shareholders. The scheme was taken up with enthusiasm, with the result that the buildings were adapted internally for the purpose of practicing Freemasonry. Regular Freemasonry in Stockport has existed since the year 1765, and at no time before 1932 had there been a common home to which Masons could welcome the Provincial Grand Master.

The Chairman of the Guildhall at its opening was Mr. Joshua Preston JP, who had been Lord Mayor of Stockport in 1927. The Guildhall was dedicated in 1932, for Masonic use, by the Provincial Grand Master Right Worshipful Brother Cuthbert Leicester Warren.

LANDMARK WINDOW

Located on the front elevation of the building is a magnificent Stained Glass Window depicting many of the symbols of Freemasonry. Beneath the window in the interior of the building is a plaque which records that the window was funded and donated by “A Committee of Ladies, representing the Lodges in the Stockport Division”

A number of suites within the building are named after prominent Freemasons. The Ian Dixon Suite, named after Ian Neville Dixon who was an Assistant Provincial Grand Master, is now a small meeting room and museum. The Harry Horn Suite is named after a club Chairman Harry Horn who died in 1964. Horn was the proprietor of a Car dealership in the town which still exists today. The Driscoll Suite is named after a stalwart Chairman of the Guildhall who for many years undertook repairs and maintenance of the building. The Davis suite is named after Eric Davis, a former lecturer in business studies at Stockport College.

WORLD WAR II

During World War II the building was used by a number of organizations with the Freemasons re-locating to the upper floor. Two of these groups were the RAF who used the building as a base of operations linked to Bomber Command and Evacuees from Guernsey, many of whom were no older than 5 of 6 years of age.

A recent research project records “The evacuees arrived at Stockport railway station at 5am on a wet morning, and were taken to the Masonic Guildhall where they remained for around two weeks”. During their stay they slept in the Ballroom on camp beds where the Guildhall staff supported by WRVS and other volunteers fed the children. On a recent visit to Stockport, by the now much older evacuees, together with the Bailiff of Guernsey himself a Freemason, several recalled the care and kindness shown to them whilst they resided in the Guildhall, each awaiting their respective allocation to, hopefully, temporary foster carers. Others recalled the “hot mugs of tea and butter covered slices of toast” they received from the staff.

POINTS OF INTEREST

Early Lodges which meet at the Guildhall include: The Lodge of St. John No.104 founded in 1806

The Lodge of Peace No.322 founded in 1806

The Lodge of Concord No.323 founded in 1806

The Lodge of Benevolence No.336 founded in 1806

Some 29 Lodges, Chapters and other Masonic Orders meet in the building today.

FAMOUS STOCKPORT FREEMASONS

Wilfred Wood VC Lodge of St.John No.104

Fred Perry

Peers

Lord de Tabley

Earl Egerton of Tatton

Lord Gregson of Stockport 4391

3rd Lord Egerton ( see also M.P.’S)

M.P.’S

George Cornwall Legh

Sir Henry Fildes 4246 4391

Idris Owen 5497

Alan de Tatton Egerton (3rd Lord Egerton)

Clergy

G.Fisher Bishop, later Archbishop

Crick Bishop of Chester

C.W.S.Stanhope

Canon Hylton-Foster Chester Cathedral

Judges

Judge T.B.Leigh 4391

Judge C.T.B.Leigh 6329

William Goldthorpe Chairman of Quarter Sessions Lodge of Peace No.322

Judge J.D.Seys-Llewellin 425

Knights

Sir Douglas Clarke – Brewer 2368

Sir Enoch Hill 5497 – Halifax Building Soc

Sir H.M.Mainwaring

Sir Alan Sykes Old Stopfordians Lodge No.6255

Sir Arthur MacDonald

Sir William Proctor-Smith

Men of Valour

W.Wood V.C. 4246

F.Naden DSO + BAR +2 bars etc Lodge of Peace No.322

Sportsmen

E.Evans 89 England RUFC Captain

Bert Trumann 7359 m/cr City

N.S.Marshall 5060 Sunderland & M/cr City Meridian Lodge No.5060

T.Porteous Mr Stockport County

L.Hulse 5117 Athlete

Businessmen

Walter Knight 4391 6255 World President Interflora

Samuel Oldknow (old 83) Built Marple

George Feran 323 Buils St.Georges’s Stockport Brewer

Policemen

W.Jones 104 C.C. Stockport

E.Brindley 323 C.C Stockport

W.Rees 4391 C.C. Stockport

A.M.McIntosh & 4391 A.C.C. Cheshire

ROLL OF HONOUR

Masonic Roll of Honour 1914 – 1918

The following Stockport Brethren fell in the service of their King & Country during the Great War 1914-1918

Lodge of St.John No.104 Wood VC,

Alfred Driver

Stockport Lodge No. 3656 Casson, Thomas M.C. 2nd Lieut.