Open Day Saturday 8th June
Nyanza Masonic Lodge was instituted in Ilminster in October 1867 at 14 Berryman’s Lane, now a Grade II Listed Building, after a Freemasons’ Lodge had been instituted in Ilminster in 1788 but moved to Taunton in 1797
Freemasonry is a charitable organisation made up of a group of ordinary men who value friendship, truth and honour.
It has Lodges throughout the World and in England we are governed by the United Grand Lodge of England. There is also the Somerset Provincial Grand Lodge, which overseas all the Lodges in Somerset including Nyanza Masonic Lodge
Freemasonry contributes funds to many needy organisations such as Hospices, Air Ambulances, lifeboats and many more as well to needy people. Recently funds have been given to help people, organisations etc during Covid
Most recently Somerset Lodges have contributed £25,000 to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme to help disadvantaged young people to take part in the scheme.
Feel free to visit our web page Ilminster-Freemasons.org
The History of Nyanza Masonic Lodge
Nyanza Lodge No 1197 was named Nyanza after the Lake Victoria Nyanza in Africa in honour of the local explorer, Captain John Hanning Speke, who had discovered the source of the River Nile some years before although it would appear that neither he nor any members of his family had any connection otherwise with the Lodge
The Lodge of Unanimity No. 524 was instituted at Ilminster in 1788 but owing to lack of support was moved to Taunton on 18th September 1797, with 16 members
In October 1867, Nyanza Masonic Lodge was instituted and met in the Commercial School Rooms (our present premises) for just over a year. The Dispensation was dated 24th December 1867 and the first meeting held on Friday 27th December at 9 a.m. when five candidates were proposed for Initiation and four masons as joining members. On 6th January 1868 the five were initiated and the four joining members approved and admitted
The Consecration and Installation of the first Worshipful Master, John Knott, was on Friday, 10th January 1868. The brethren attended a banquet at 3 p.m. in their Masonic clothing, at the Crown Inn. We are told that all ended in harmony and goodwill
| Information Panel | |
| Event Name: | Nyanza Masonic Lodge – Open Day |
| When: | Saturday 8th June |
| Time: | 10am to 3pm |
| How Much: | Free to visit |
| Where: | 14 Berrymans Lane, Ilminster |
| Contact | |
| Email: | [email protected] |
 |
|