St Ambrose Lodge
1891
Years of Formation
About the middle of the year 1880, several eminent Freemasons who were living in the neighbourhood of Kensington contemplated the formation of a new Lodge. As a result of their deliberations a Petition to the Most Worshipful the Grand Master was lodged on 30th October 1880, requesting that the Lodge be formed. The new Lodge was sponsored by the members of the Kensington Lodge, No. 1767. A warrant was issued for its formation by the Grand Lodge of England on 17th December 1880, and the consecration of the Saint Ambrose Lodge, No. 1891, took place on 21st January 1881, at Barons Court Hotel by the then Grand Secretary. R.W. Bro.Col. Shadwell H. Clarke
The First Master of the lodge was Reverend WB Ambrose Hall. He was appointed Grand Chaplain of England during the year 1881, and a constant reminder of this illustrious Freemason is given to present members of the Lodge, in the form of the Lodge Banner which he presented.
During its years of history, the Lodge has suffered its ups and downs. Our Illustrious Order has continued for generations so are the present members of St. Ambrose Lodge ever conscious of the duty they owe to future members who are yet to be born. We Look forward to the future, when given the Blessing of The Great Architect of the Universe, we shall prosper and provide a sanctuary in which men may learn the Divine Precepts which set us apart from the rest of the World. As was the aim of our Founders, 142 years ago, we too, must always bear in mind:
We build the road of masonry with other men in mind
We do not build for you and me we build for all mankind
We build the road remember men build not for now but for then
And other men woke that way shall find the road we build today
As the First master of the lodge was WB Reverend Ambrose Hall, it is assumed that the name was chosen by him and this could possibly be true. However, he did not simply and selfish pick up his name. He was a strong devoted of St Ambrose Bishop of Milan and very fond of his history. St Ambrose lodge Installation meeting is held in December. For the first 100 years of the lodge the Installation meeting was held on the 07th of the 12th month and this is because the 07th of December the patron saint of the day is in fact St Ambrose.
During the second World War the Lodge continued to meet in London, and many were the tales told of the difficulties and dangers experienced by the members, who attended in good numbers, in their journeys to and from the Meetings. Unfortunately, the minutes do not record those occasions when the building rocked with the impact of exploding bombs during the ceremonies. Likewise we have no permanent record of the after-proceedings during the period of food rationing when it is told that members brought their own fare with them – it is even mentioned by some, that one eminent member could always be relied upon to produce the odd tin of sardines
