Lewes Freemasons Hall

                                                                               

Shortly after its formation in 1796, South Saxon Lodge decided to acquire its own Building.  A site containing part of the ruins of the old West Gate and Town wall was purchased and the first Building was erected there in 1797.  The Foundation Stone for this is set in the South wall of the cellar.  A photograph of it is on display.  The building included the ruins of the West Gate and the curvature of its walls is very clear.  This first Building was used for many years but eventually became unusable and the Lodge moved to other venues, including the Castle Barbican. When the Lodge was holding meetings there it flew the “Jolly Roger” Banner which is exhibited on the stairs.  However, it retained its ownership of the existing plot and, in 1868, decided to erect a new Building on the site. The current Building is the result.

The Foundation Stone for the second building was laid in 1868 and is set in the East Wall of the Lower Room near to the entrance to the stairs.  For many years it bore an engraved plate bearing an inscription.  Unfortunately, this was removed and we are currently unaware of its location. A printed version has been placed where it was sited. Note that the dates on these stones are given in both years Anno Domini (A.D.) and Anno Lucis (A.L.).  The latter relates to the researches of Bishop Ussher in the Seventeenth Century who worked out from historical and Biblical records that the World was created on October 23^rd 4004 B.C., often rounded off to 4000 B.C.  Note that the first Foundation Stone uses the “rounded off” date but the second uses the “correct” one.

The existing Building still contains the remains of the old West Gate.  The curved wall of the Bar area shows this and the original walls go down under the floor and this has been exposed, as has the interior of these walls which lead down to the Cellar.  Unfortunately, the cellar area is out of bounds, for reasons of safety, but photographs of it have been mounted on the wall. 

The upper floor contains the Temple and a small outer room where the Tyler or Outer Guard is housed during Masonic meetings.  There are further remains of the West Gate beneath the floor of this Tyler’s room which can be exposed.  The symbolism of items in the Temple can be explained to non-Masonic visitors.  Note that, originally, there were fireplaces in the Temple, on each side, but these were removed many years ago.  During the Second World War, a ladder was permanently placed in the centre of the room, leading up to the roof hatch to facilitate the removal any bombs or shrapnel.  The main problem these days is with pigeons!

A door in the North wall of the Tyler’s area leads to a small paved garden at the end of which is an old pipe kiln.  This gives its name to Pipe Passage which runs alongside the Building and the garden.  When South Saxon Lodge was formed the smoking of clay pipes was common and many Lodges provided their members with them to smoke during their meetings.  Unfortunately, there is no evidence that the kiln was commissioned by the Lodge and it probably pre-dates the first Building.

The remains of the old Lewes Town wall runs along the West of the garden and is continued opposite the front of the Masonic Building running down to the old Chapel.

Each year Lewes holds a Heritage Day and on that day, Lewes Masons open up the Temple for members of the public to take a look around and ask us any questions they may have. We are always happy to do this and demystify what we do and correct any misconceptions..