Widnes Masonic Hall was the venue for the centenary celebrations of Victoria Lodge No 4629. It was a well-attended event with 88 brethren in attendance for the festivities. The WM David Jameson opened the lodge in due form and completed all domestic business.
Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies Barry Fitzgerald then entered the lodge and announced to the WM David that the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews stood without and demanded admission. A procession formed outside the door of the lodge the brethren were upstanding to receive the Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies David Boyes, Deputy Provincial Grand Master Frank Umbers, Assistant Provincial Grand Master Andrew Whittle, Mersey Valley Group Chairman David Atkinson and other distinguished brethren and the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews.
David greeted Mark and offered him the gavel, which he accepted and after the salutations were completed Mark proceeded to open Provincial Grand Lodge after placing the respective officers in their places. Mark then requested the Provincial Deputy Grand Chaplain Reverend Matthew McMurray read the dedication for Victoria Lodge centenary.
Matthew proceeded with the dedication saying: “It is always an amazing achievement to celebrate the centenary of a lodge and today it is the turn of Victoria Lodge. For those relatively new to Freemasonry, we never fail to bear in mind that the Craft is not our invention, neither is it a toy. We stand in a long line of men who like we are doing in our time, have sought to grow in virtue and light.
For this lodge that journey began 100 years ago when a certain Dr Samuel McCausland, an Ulsterman by origin, with others gave birth to the idea of forming a new lodge out the Lodge of Fellowship No 3799. Thanks to the determination of those brethren, Victoria Lodge was consecrated on 16 October 1924. In many ways, this was a wonderful time as the world was recovering from the First World War, it was a time of optimism, and perhaps this drove that determination and desire to begin the life of a new lodge.
Our society is in a very different place to where it was 100 years ago, we have lost much of the sense of community and shared identity that was so evident in that time, the experiences of men in the first half of the 20th century led to a very strong sense of belonging. We are very much in need of belonging these days and it is said that we should enjoy our Freemasonry and it is hoped that all assembled here do enjoy it and we should be proud of it, knowing that it leads us into the paths of virtue and science and helping us to achieve many things and grow our potential.” Matthew completed the dedication requesting the brethren be upstanding for the prayer.
Victoria Lodge was born out of the Lodge of Fellowship and initial movement towards establishment of consecration of a new lodge commenced and gained momentum in the years 1922 to 1924. The motivation for a new lodge came from several prominent Widnes Freemasons, and particularly members of the Lodge of Fellowship. The prime motivation for the formation of a new lodge was undoubtedly from Samuel McCausland, a founder member of the Lodge of Fellowship in 1917.
He was originally from Ulster, he arrived in Widnes in the early years of the 20th century and he became a joining member of the Widnes Lodge No 2819 in 1913. A prominent doctor involved in many aspects of the local community, he was well known and highly respected in the town and keen to promote and extend Freemasonry. Subsequently it was formerly proposed in the Lodge of Fellowship that a new lodge should be founded in Widnes. The WM and his wardens signed the petition that set in a series of events which led to the consecration of Victoria Lodge on the 16 October 1924.
Over the years, there has been much speculation of the choice of Victoria as the name of the new lodge. Whilst an image of Queen Victoria is represented on the founder member and past master jewel, it is generally believed the name reflects and area of Widnes that carried that name in the early years of the 20th century. Victoria Lodge now approached its jubilee with some anticipation, the first 50 years had been successful despite trying times that were experienced at frequent intervals. Be it war, unemployment or political instability, the lodge has continued to thrive and a place for men to enjoy convivial gatherings and the future looks bright for the lodge with a measure of confidence.”
Mark Matthews completed the centenary meeting by requesting Mick Southern, the Deputy Provincial Grand Secretary, to read the Centenary Certificate. Once that was completed, Mark presented it to the WM David Jameson along with the Centenary Jewel. Mark then closed Provincial Grand Lodge and returned the gavel to David.
David then presented Mark with several donations for charity which included: £1,000 for Alzheimer’s Society Research, £1,000 to RNLI, £1,000 to Halebank Nursery, £1,000 West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity, £1,000 to Kidney Research Northwest, £1,000 to Widnes Food Bank, £1,000 to Kandersteg 2025 Scouts, £1,000 HEARTS Local Children’s Theatre Group, £1,000 to Zoe’s Place and Widnes Masonic Hall £1,000.
To read the full history of Victoria Lodge over its 100 years, please 
Before the centenary meeting, Mark Matthews presented Steven Nash’s son Robert with an Honorary Centenary Jewel to mark the membership of his father in Beacon Lodge No 5357 and Victoria Lodge.
Following the meeting, there was a well-attended festive board, with 88 diners in attendance. In response to the toast his health, Mark Matthews mentioned recruitment and the need to have social evenings, they could be ladies’ nights, lodge socials or barbecues to encourage people to think about joining our organisation. When somebody has been initiated into Freemasonry, it is important that the Form P is sent to the Provincial Office within 72 hours, also brethren who have been initiated after a period should be encourage in their next step in their Masonic career to join Royal Arch. We also need to get back to basics visiting other lodges and chapters in a group.
Mark announced that on 9 May 2025, it will be Provincial Grand Lodge with a bigger attendance and that the light blues will be invited to attend which was a success at this year’s meeting. He mentioned that West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity is underused and anyone in financial difficulty should contact the office at Huyton. Mark thanked everyone for an enjoyable evening at the centenary celebrations.
