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Somerset Lodges
Unanimity & Sincerity Lodge No. 261
warranted 1788
Regular meetings: the third Wednesday at 18.30hrs: Feb, Mar, Apr, May,
Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.
Installation meeting: the third Wednesday at 16.30hrs: Jan.
Contact the Lodge Secretary:
Guy Adams
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Meeting at
The Masonic Hall
The Crescent
Taunton
TA1 4EB
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The Lodge of Unanimity & Sincerity No. 261 traces its origins back to 1788 when
it was constituted and then moved to Ilminster in 1793. It met at The George Inn
in North Street. The ancient Minute Book with a date of 10th November 1797 lists
one William Slatter as the first 'Right Worshipful Master'. At that Meeting, a
motion was unanimously agreed for the removal of the Lodge to Taunton where it
would meet at 'The London Inn' (formerly The County Hotel and now Marks and
Spencer) and continued to meet there for a great number of years.
In
1834 the Lodge moved to "Sweet's Hotel" later to become "Clarkes Hotel" where it
continued until 1878. However negotiations were already in hand to acquire
premises in The Crescent which had previously been built as a Roman Catholic
Chapel.
In 1878 a Limited Company was formed and shares, which were available only to
Members of the Lodge, were issued. The dedication of the 'new' premises was
carried out by the Provincial Grand Master on 13 January 1897.
Also in 1879 the symbol of the Cherub & Crown (as in the arms of the Borough)
was to appear for the first time on the Lodge Summons.
The Lodge continues to meet at The Crescent, Taunton. In 1919, the Trustees were
able to acquire the property next door and in the years that followed many
improvements were carried out including central heating and the provision of a
Dining Room.
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