About Freemasonry
Freemasonry is one of the oldest social and charitable organisations in the world. Its roots lie in the traditions of the medieval stonemasons who built our cathedrals and castles. Centuries ago these skilled craftsmen used handheld tools to turn rock into useful and purposefully shaped building stone, and using rudimentary geometry they built structures which epitomised both strength and beauty. Today Freemasonry takes analogies of the ancient craftsman's tools and practices, and teaches both Men and Women to shape their own lives to have more use and purpose in society and through the values of; Integrity, Friendship, Respect and Charity, to create a stronger and more beautiful society in which to live.
Organised freemasonry is over three hundred years old and began when, on 24 June 1717, freemasons from four London lodges met to form the world’s first Grand Lodge. Today we have a thriving community of approximately 175,000 members throughout England and Wales, as well as Districts overseas. The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) is the governing body for freemasonry in England and Wales and is headquartered in Freemasons’ Hall, London. Membership is open to people from all backgrounds and our aim is to empower members to be the best they can be.
So why would you choose to become a Freemason?
First and foremost, because it's fun, a lot of fun! From the Universities Scheme and New and Young Masons Clubs, to special interest Lodges, Freemasonry gives members many opportunities to make a wide circle of friends for life. Finding bonds with people who share common interests and meeting people from all different backgrounds are just some of the ways Freemasonry can help cultivate lasting friendships. Freemasonry provides the common foundation for friendships between members, many of which will last a lifetime
Next, because to you want to develop yourself as a person. Freemasonry is all about building character and supporting members as individuals. It’s these foundations that allow members to develop themselves, from increased self-confidence to transferable skills such as public speaking.
Finally because you want to make a positive contribution to society. Whether taking part in social events or fundraising, charity is at the very heart of Freemasonry. Our members make valuable contributions to deserving causes and it’s because of this we’re recognised as one of the largest charitable givers in the country, contributing £51.1m to deserving causes in 2020.
Watch these videos to learn more about freemasonry and understand what it means to be a freemason:
Organised freemasonry is over three hundred years old and began when, on 24 June 1717, freemasons from four London lodges met to form the world’s first Grand Lodge. Today we have a thriving community of approximately 175,000 members throughout England and Wales, as well as Districts overseas. The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) is the governing body for freemasonry in England and Wales and is headquartered in Freemasons’ Hall, London. Membership is open to people from all backgrounds and our aim is to empower members to be the best they can be.
So why would you choose to become a Freemason?
First and foremost, because it's fun, a lot of fun! From the Universities Scheme and New and Young Masons Clubs, to special interest Lodges, Freemasonry gives members many opportunities to make a wide circle of friends for life. Finding bonds with people who share common interests and meeting people from all different backgrounds are just some of the ways Freemasonry can help cultivate lasting friendships. Freemasonry provides the common foundation for friendships between members, many of which will last a lifetime
Next, because to you want to develop yourself as a person. Freemasonry is all about building character and supporting members as individuals. It’s these foundations that allow members to develop themselves, from increased self-confidence to transferable skills such as public speaking.
Finally because you want to make a positive contribution to society. Whether taking part in social events or fundraising, charity is at the very heart of Freemasonry. Our members make valuable contributions to deserving causes and it’s because of this we’re recognised as one of the largest charitable givers in the country, contributing £51.1m to deserving causes in 2020.
Watch these videos to learn more about freemasonry and understand what it means to be a freemason:
Video: Discover Freemasonry.
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Video: What's it all about? - What it means to be a Freemason.
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THE story of Our lodge
The Lodge of Unanimity and Sincerity has been closely associated with the town of Taunton for over two centuries though it was initially founded in Ilminster in 1781. The Lodge was formally constituted in 1788 as the Lodge of Unanimity and numbered 524. Our lodge minutes give details of a “special lodge” which was held at the George Inn in Ilminster in 1797, when it was unanimously agreed to move the Lodge to the London Inn which later became the County Hotel, in Taunton. Following several number changes it finally became 261 in 1863.
Being the oldest Lodge in Taunton means that one thing we’re not short of is history and tradition and our Lodge minutes and records tell a great number of stories. The minutes of June 1798 are the first to record fraternal visiting (receiving visitors from other lodges) from; the Lodge of Perpetual Friendship in Bridgwater and the Rural Philanthropic Lodge in Huntspill. Visiting is an important part of Freemasonry and to this day the Lodge of Unanimity and Sincerity still attracts a great number of visitors to all of their meetings.
Our records also show that one frequent visitor to Unanimity and Sincerity was a Bro. Dr. Crucifix PGD, who subsequently became an Honorary Member of the Lodge. In 1842, along with Prince Augustus Frederick, the Duke of Sussex, Bro. Crucifix was one of the founders of what became known as the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution (RMBI) which still to this day provides residential care for over 1,000 people across England and Wales, while also providing non-residential support services to many more. Another prominent member of our Lodge was Bro. Hiram Hallett who provided a great service to Somerset Freemasonry through his extensive research into the history of Freemasonry. He published countless papers and articles of both great interest and importance. Later he became a member, and subsequently the Master, of the illustrious Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, the world’s premier research lodge.
Within our Lodge we have many items of historical importance. In 1807 a member called William Dight, was paid £9 for painting three “floor cloths” or tracing boards. Each of these showed a number of masonic symbols which illustrate the teachings of each of the three degrees and would have been revealed to a candidate as he passed through each degree. These tracing boards have since been framed in order to prevent damage and are mounted on the North wall of the Lodge and are still used by Unanimity and Sincerity to this day in their ceremonies. On the first degree tracing board there are two tripods suspending the rough and smooth ashlars. These are beautifully painted copies of the actual ashlars which again are still used by us in today’s ceremonies. Within the hallway of the Lodge is a painting of W. Bro. Thomas Jacobs who was both a brewer and a landlord of a pub on Mary Street (now Selwood’s Antiques) who was initiated into the Lodge of Unanimity and Sincerity in 1797 and later became Master of the Lodge on 9 occasions. The painting shows him sitting on a most remarkable chair which can be seen in the Lodge today and is still used by our Immediate Past Master when the Lodge is in session.
In 1878 the Lodge purchased a former Catholic chapel on The Crescent which today is the Taunton Masonic Hall. The new premises were dedicated in 1879 following a service in St Mary’s Church attended by brethren wearing full masonic regalia. Shortly after this in 1881, a unique Lodge tradition was established in the appointment of a Brother as “Chaplain” who then progressed through the Warden’s chairs before becoming the Master of the Lodge. Another difference between the Lodge of Unanimity and Sincerity and other lodges is our ritual. As with other older lodges the working has undergone many changes, and although changes have been necessary in terms of signs and the positioning of Officers within the Lodge there are still several areas where our the ceremonies differ from that of other lodges who use more modern workings. You're guaranteed to see something at Unanimity and Sincerity that you've never seen before.
Being the oldest Lodge in Taunton means that one thing we’re not short of is history and tradition and our Lodge minutes and records tell a great number of stories. The minutes of June 1798 are the first to record fraternal visiting (receiving visitors from other lodges) from; the Lodge of Perpetual Friendship in Bridgwater and the Rural Philanthropic Lodge in Huntspill. Visiting is an important part of Freemasonry and to this day the Lodge of Unanimity and Sincerity still attracts a great number of visitors to all of their meetings.
Our records also show that one frequent visitor to Unanimity and Sincerity was a Bro. Dr. Crucifix PGD, who subsequently became an Honorary Member of the Lodge. In 1842, along with Prince Augustus Frederick, the Duke of Sussex, Bro. Crucifix was one of the founders of what became known as the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution (RMBI) which still to this day provides residential care for over 1,000 people across England and Wales, while also providing non-residential support services to many more. Another prominent member of our Lodge was Bro. Hiram Hallett who provided a great service to Somerset Freemasonry through his extensive research into the history of Freemasonry. He published countless papers and articles of both great interest and importance. Later he became a member, and subsequently the Master, of the illustrious Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, the world’s premier research lodge.
Within our Lodge we have many items of historical importance. In 1807 a member called William Dight, was paid £9 for painting three “floor cloths” or tracing boards. Each of these showed a number of masonic symbols which illustrate the teachings of each of the three degrees and would have been revealed to a candidate as he passed through each degree. These tracing boards have since been framed in order to prevent damage and are mounted on the North wall of the Lodge and are still used by Unanimity and Sincerity to this day in their ceremonies. On the first degree tracing board there are two tripods suspending the rough and smooth ashlars. These are beautifully painted copies of the actual ashlars which again are still used by us in today’s ceremonies. Within the hallway of the Lodge is a painting of W. Bro. Thomas Jacobs who was both a brewer and a landlord of a pub on Mary Street (now Selwood’s Antiques) who was initiated into the Lodge of Unanimity and Sincerity in 1797 and later became Master of the Lodge on 9 occasions. The painting shows him sitting on a most remarkable chair which can be seen in the Lodge today and is still used by our Immediate Past Master when the Lodge is in session.
In 1878 the Lodge purchased a former Catholic chapel on The Crescent which today is the Taunton Masonic Hall. The new premises were dedicated in 1879 following a service in St Mary’s Church attended by brethren wearing full masonic regalia. Shortly after this in 1881, a unique Lodge tradition was established in the appointment of a Brother as “Chaplain” who then progressed through the Warden’s chairs before becoming the Master of the Lodge. Another difference between the Lodge of Unanimity and Sincerity and other lodges is our ritual. As with other older lodges the working has undergone many changes, and although changes have been necessary in terms of signs and the positioning of Officers within the Lodge there are still several areas where our the ceremonies differ from that of other lodges who use more modern workings. You're guaranteed to see something at Unanimity and Sincerity that you've never seen before.
lodge of unanimity and sincerity NO. 261
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