Every lodge has a story
St. Martin's Lodge, No. 2812, located in Fenny Stratford, has a rich history intertwined with the local community and broader Masonic traditions. The lodge was established with ten petitioners, and its consecration took place on July 21, 1900, at the High Street Schools in Fenny Stratford. The ceremony was led by The Rt. Hon. Lord Addington, the Provincial Grand Master, with W.Bro. Col. Alexander Finlay serving as the Primus Master and Rev. Henry Oliver as the first Chaplain.
According to the Bucks Standard, which highlighted a moving speech by Rev. Bro. V. P. Wyatt, the consecration event was significant.
Following the formalities, the members gathered for a banquet at the Town Hall, where a musical "Glee Party" was performed under the direction of Bro. Herbert Schartau.
Herbert Schartau was a composer and musician known for his contributions to music in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was of Swedish descent but was born and raised in Kent, England. Schartau was a professional singer and also a society entertainer at the piano, composing several songs throughout his career.
His works include songs like "Fairy Song" and "Daisy Dell," and he was active in the musical scene, contributing to events where pianoforte solos and part-singing were featured. Schartau's music was part of the Victorian and Edwardian sporting song tradition, as seen in collections like "Play the Game: Victorian & Edwardian Sporting Song".
In addition to his musical career, Schartau was involved in Masonic activities, having attained a prominent position within the organisation by the late 19th century.
Throughout its history, St. Martin's Lodge has maintained strong ties with the community. In 1909, the Earl of Orkney was appointed Provincial Grand Master shortly after leaving the Chair in St. Martin's, further cementing the lodge's significance.
The lodge moved into the Queensway Masonic Hall in 1982, a facility secured by the Bletchley Masonic Hall Company Ltd., with St. Martin's Lodge as a major shareholder. This move marked a new chapter in the lodge's history, providing a dedicated space for its meetings and activities. The lodge's banners, depicting Saint Martin, reflect its historical and cultural heritage, celebrating the legacy of its namesake, a Roman soldier who became a Christian saint known for his compassion and charity.
If you find the idea of becoming a Freemason in Buckinghamshire intriguing, you can express your interest by contacting the local membership team. To apply, you must reside in or near Buckinghamshire. Please use this link to make contact: https://buckspgl.org/join
According to the Bucks Standard, which highlighted a moving speech by Rev. Bro. V. P. Wyatt, the consecration event was significant.
Following the formalities, the members gathered for a banquet at the Town Hall, where a musical "Glee Party" was performed under the direction of Bro. Herbert Schartau.
Herbert Schartau was a composer and musician known for his contributions to music in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was of Swedish descent but was born and raised in Kent, England. Schartau was a professional singer and also a society entertainer at the piano, composing several songs throughout his career.
His works include songs like "Fairy Song" and "Daisy Dell," and he was active in the musical scene, contributing to events where pianoforte solos and part-singing were featured. Schartau's music was part of the Victorian and Edwardian sporting song tradition, as seen in collections like "Play the Game: Victorian & Edwardian Sporting Song".
In addition to his musical career, Schartau was involved in Masonic activities, having attained a prominent position within the organisation by the late 19th century.
Throughout its history, St. Martin's Lodge has maintained strong ties with the community. In 1909, the Earl of Orkney was appointed Provincial Grand Master shortly after leaving the Chair in St. Martin's, further cementing the lodge's significance.
The lodge moved into the Queensway Masonic Hall in 1982, a facility secured by the Bletchley Masonic Hall Company Ltd., with St. Martin's Lodge as a major shareholder. This move marked a new chapter in the lodge's history, providing a dedicated space for its meetings and activities. The lodge's banners, depicting Saint Martin, reflect its historical and cultural heritage, celebrating the legacy of its namesake, a Roman soldier who became a Christian saint known for his compassion and charity.
If you find the idea of becoming a Freemason in Buckinghamshire intriguing, you can express your interest by contacting the local membership team. To apply, you must reside in or near Buckinghamshire. Please use this link to make contact: https://buckspgl.org/join