Lodge Of The Three Graces No.408, Haworth

Our History

It may come as a surprise to some that the Lodge of the Three Graces has been in Haworth since 1806, as we meet in a prominant yet somewhat obscure building, a little over 100 years old, that sits at the junction of Mill Hey and Ebor Lane.

More suprising still is that the Lodge was originally founded in Barnoldswick in 1792 in what is now East Lancashire and moved to Haworth for various reasons you may read about in the following chapters.

A somewhat intriguing history has built up over the last couple of hundred years, not to mention some very notable characters who have been members of what is once again a lively and thriving Lodge.

The Lodge has, indeed, an ancient lineage, as Royal Lancashire’s Warrant is dated 4th February 1762 and there are records of a quasi Masonc Lodge dating back to 1757 which gave support to Brethren in distress, widows and dependants, almost a “Sick and Benefit Society”.

In those far off days general living conditions were poor, sanitation of the most primitive kind, hard working conditions, no welfare except parish relief.
The second half of the 18th century witnessed the expansion of the Britsh Empire, the creation of the United States, the French Revolution was in progress culminating in the execution of the Monarch and eventually the rise to power of Napoleon, (was he a Freemason? some believe this to be so).

Despite these dangerous and uncertain times our Masonic Forefathers had faith and confidence in the future to establish and advance the principles of Freemasonry.

To-day many of us take Freemasonry for granted but we would all do well to remember the struggles of our 18th century Brethren, it is to their credit that Freemasonry not only originated in our area but flourished, decade by decade and century by century.

The Lodge is most grateful to W.Bro Binns for his researches into the history.

Read more about our history and notable characters associated with the Lodge using the links on the right.