Freemasonry in Berkshire

History

Freemasonry in the county has a long and proud record of working for the good of its members and of the community.  The earliest records of a masonic lodge working in Berkshire date from 1725 when a lodge of nineteen Freemasons met in the Mitre tavern next to St Lawrence's Church in the Market Place in Reading and the first county leader was appointed in 1773. The two oldest lodges now meeting in the county were formed in 1813 and 1833 and by 1899 seventeen of our current lodges were in existence. By the middle of the 20th century another 35 lodges had been formed and the number has risen to over 90 today. During the early years Reading and Windsor became established as the principal towns in which lodges met.

Today

Today, Masons in Berkshire meet in thirteen different locations throughout the county spread from Windsor in the East to Hungerford in the West and from Abingdon in the North to Sindlesham (between Reading and Wokingham) in the South. More than 3000 members are drawn from all walks of life, professions and trades and from widely varied social and cultural backgrounds. They meet and work in over 90 Lodges which are all different in their special customs and traditions but united in their adherence to the defining characteristics of Freemasonry. Lodges hold regular meetings between three and seven times a year.

Most lodges organise social events in addition to their formal meetings at which family and friends are welcome. These events include Ladies' Nights and weekends away, lunches, tenpin bowling, and race nights to name but a few.

The headquarters of Berkshire Freemasonry is in Sindlesham between Reading and Wokingham. In addition to being the meeting place of 48 lodges it is the home of the main administration offices and staff, and the library and museum. Important county meetings are held at Sindlesham.

Many more matters are dealt with on our frequently asked questions page.