The Origins
The origins of the "Lodge of Stedfast Unity" began in 1984 due to the inspiration born by a number of London Masons moving to within the north-west region of Essex. Having settled in this area, they discovered an opportunity to form a new Masonic Lodge in a part of the County with a rapidly expanding population.
It was the wish of the Founders that the name of the proposed Lodge would be the "Lodge of Stedfast Unity". This being a natural progression of the strong fraternal bond developed over the previous decade amongst the proposed Founders. It also marked the close association formed with 'Marine Lodge" No. 232 in the Province of Somerset.
Hence, the design of the Badge is based around an anchor, symbolising steadfastness surrounded by a chain and superimposed by a handgrip, which both symbolise unity. The whole rests on a squared pavement, reminding the Founders of the friendship developed through Freemasonry.
History
1984 - The Petition
The Founders then had to determine a suitable meeting place for the proposed Lodge. It was soon established that the Lodge would be welcomed at Freemasons' Hall in Saffron Walden (follow this link to read more about the history of Freemasonry in Saffron Walden).
At the regular Meeting of "Epping Forest Lodge" No. 4263 on 9th June 1984, it was Proposed and Ageed that they would be honoured to be the Sponsoring Lodge. They also proposed to present the "Lodge of Stedfast Unity" with the Master's and Wardens' Gavels.
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As a result, on 11th June 1984, the Founders presented a petition to the Provincial Grand Secretary for a new Lodge to be formed and named the "Lodge of Stedfast Unity". Confirmation that the petition had been
favourably received by the Provincial Grand Master was received in October of that year.
1985 - The Consecration
The Lodge was duly Consecrated on 29th January 1985 at Freemasons' Hall, Saffron Walden by the Provincial Grand Master, Rt. W. Bro. F. W. R. Leistikow, M.A. He was assisted by V. W. Bro. G.Y Jerman, LL.B.,
PGSwdB, Deputy Provincial Grand Master, W. Bro. R.E. Evans, PSGD and W. Bro. F. A. Thornback, PAGDC, Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, together with other distinguished Members of the Provincial Team.
On that day, the Lodge was Opened by the following Members of “Epping Forest Lodge" No. 4263:-
Acting as Worshipful Master - W. Bro. D. R. Clark
Acting as Senior Warden - Bro. T. J. Saunders
Acting as Junior Warden - Bro. S. J. Higgins
Acting as Inner Guard - Bro. W. Taylor
Acting as Immediate Past Master W. Bro. E. A. Roberts
The excellence of their work set the scene and standard for what was to prove a Memorable Consecration Meeting and a day to remember.
The Oration was delivered by the Revd. Derek Mottershead, Prov. Dep. Gd. Chaplain, PGStwd.
Ritual
The Founders decided to adopt "Taylors Ritual" for their work in the Lodge. However, initially and along the way, they also laid-down, permissive variations to be worked during each Ceremony.
Initially the variations include the "Long Working of the Aprons" in all three Degrees, together with the Charges after Initiation, Passing and Raising and the Long Closing after each Lodge Meeting. There is also the specific variation during the "Inner Working", when the Master is Installed into the Chair of the Lodge and 'The Chain to the Initiate" at the Festive Board after each Initiation Ceremony.
Over the years some of these have changed and we now rarely do the "Long Working of the Aprons". We do share the workload for ritual broadly across the Lodge which can result in using some other variations or longer forms of the Charge or extended instruction on the Tracing Boards.
Growing and changing
The Lodge started with 13 Founder members. In January 2023 it had 20 subscribing members and 11 honorary members, and had initiated a total of 51 Freemasons, and received 49 Joining members since its founding.
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At the regular Meeting of the Lodge on 1st December 1992, "The Book of Remembrance" was formerly Opened and Dedicated by W. Bro. Revd.
Conway-Lee, PSGD, Assistant Provincial Grand Master. "The Book of Remembrance" was presented to the Lodge by W. Bro. Veerman in memory of his late father-in-law, W. Bro. Billitt, a former Almoner of the Lodge. The beautifully written entries and illuminations in the Book are the work of W. Bro. Vinter who is highly skilled in the art of calligraphy.
In 1987 the Lodge sponsored the formation of the "Chapter of Stedfast Unity" No. 9128 which was Consecrated on 2nd November 1987. The Lodge has also had the honour of becoming the Sponsoring Lodge for "Chypping Walden Lodge" No. 9617 on 25th September 1996 and Lux Solis Lodge No. 9781 on 22nd October 2004. .
Charity
Over the years the Lodge has raised consider funds for specific charitable causes, as well as contributing to the Masonic Charitable Foundation.
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The Lodge is a Grand Patron of the Essex Provincial Charity Fund
Gold Award Province of Essex 2000 Festival, Patron of the Chelmsford Cathedral Appeal, Patron to Hamilton Court, Grand Patron Award Province of Essex 2011 Festival, Vice Patron Award Province of Essex 2022 Festival. In addition the Lodge donated a Greenhouse to the residents of the RMBI Home at Bury St Edmunds and also donated an Antique Mirror to The Prince Michael, Duke of Kent RMBI Home at Stisted Hall.
Lodge Geneology
The Lodge of Stedfast Unity was sponsored by Epping Forest Lodge No. 4263, itself consecrated in 1921 when it was sponsored by Undine Lodge No. 3394.
Tracing this back further:
Undine Lodge was sponsored by Bagshaw Lodge No. 1457.
Bagshaw Lodge was sponsored by Chigwell Lodge No. 453 in 1873.
Chigwell Lodge was sponsored by Old Dundee Lodge No. 18 in 1836.
Old Dundee Lodge was consecrated in 1723.
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