The Provincial Grand Lodge of the Isle of Man hosted an open day on 31 August 2024, showcasing its rich history and flagship Masonic Hall located in the Island’s capital, Douglas.
Freemasonry in the Isle of Man traces its history back to 1765 when the first Lodge met in Douglas under the Grand Lodge of Ireland.
Athole Lodge was the first Manx Lodge to meet under the United Grand Lodge of England in 1885, with the Provincial Grand Lodge of the Isle of Man later inaugurated in 1886.
Freemasons’ Hall Douglas was then acquired in 1923 and consecrated in 1925 when it was opened by Deemster Frederic Malcolm La Mothe. The landmark building was originally commissioned by Thomas Harrison in the early 1900s, who was an eminent member of the House of Keys (the lower branch of the Island’s parliament). It subsequently served as a girl’s boarding school as well as a nursing home before becoming the home of Freemasonry in the Isle of Man. In addition, the building is now open for weddings and corporate and charitable events.
Women’s Freemasonry in the Isle of Man traces its roots back to 1938, and in 2021 Provincial Grand Lodge was delighted to welcome The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons in sharing the facilities at Freemasons’ Hall Douglas, where they continue to hold their Lodge meetings and festive board.
This united approach was integral at the open day, with members from the men’s and women’s Lodges represented in full force. In addition, leading figures of the Royal Arch and Mark Master Masons were in attendance, sporting full regalia for the public’s enjoyment, with a busy team of Light Blue’s welcoming and guiding visitors through the building.
The Island’s recently formed chapter of the Widow’s Sons, which gained its charter in February 2024, was also strongly represented, with various members opting for leathers over aprons and a hoard of motorcycles adorning the entrance to the Hall – a fitting touch for the Isle of Man, being the home of the TT Races!
Having passed through the splendour of regalia and architecture, the public was welcomed to explore the several Lodge rooms, laid out with ceremonial and historical items, including a display of the meticulously curated Manx Masonic Museum, containing unique artefacts associated with many of the local Lodges, as well as Manx Masonry’s wider reach across the globe.
The success of the day has been tangible and has built on the Isle of Man’s long-standing ‘united’ approach. Tangible, of course, are the significant firm expressions of interest resulting from the event; however, what is more, telling is the positive publicity leading up to the open day together with a collection of subsequent communications evidencing that the perception of Freemasonry had been changed for the better.
The Isle of Man has found overwhelming public support in this approach whilst garnering regular and increasing interest and has continued to work proactively in representing Freemasonry in the community in strong partnership with Women’s Freemasonry. At the same time, the Isle of Man has aimed to celebrate its diversity, especially being a proudly multi-generational organisation.
Whilst many Brethren wish to deepen their Masonic knowledge, for example, through the Royal Arch, the Isle of Man has found equal value in developing existing social interests through the Light Blue’s and Widow’s Sons. These serve not only our existing membership but also create an organisation with a wider and more enduring appeal.
Many years ago, anecdotal evidence suggests that the staircase leading to the Lodge rooms in Freemasons’ Hall Douglas was cordoned off to ‘non-Masons’. Today, we find the irony in this approach, with openness and inclusion forming the foundation of our flourishing Craft.
