The first one hundred years……..

Lodge Royal Stuart was consecrated on 7^th July 1899 under a dispensation issued by the District Grand Lodge of Scotland, the Consecration Ceremony being conducted by Bro. J.M.Y. Stewart, Depute District Grand Master. The Foundation Right Worshipful Master was Bro. James S. Battye. The dispensation issued was confirmed by the issue of the Lodge Charter of Constitution dated 2^nd November 1899, and bearing the Lodge Number 893. This original Charter of 1899 is still used in Lodge Royal Stuart today.

The meetings of the Lodge were held in the Masonic Temple, Hay St., Perth from 1899 to 1906, when on the 6^th April that year, a considerable proportion of the members decided to transfer their allegiance to the newly formed Grand Lodge of Western Australia. The Royal Stuart Charter was retained by the minority group, and although no regular meetings were held between April 1906 and February 1907, the Lodge was still fully registered, and in recess. On 18^th Feb 1907, Lodge Royal Stuart resumed meetings at St. Lukes Hall, Maylands.

In 1923, a site at the corner of Ninth Avenue and Carrington St. was purchased for the sum of £150, and the plans to build a dedicated Temple for Lodge Royal Stuart were implemented. On 17^th Jan 1925, the District Grand Master, Bro. J.M. Lapsley, laid the Chief Corner Stone according to ancient custom. The building was completed and consecrated on 11^th May 1925, at a total cost of £1276. The building was further developed in 1958 to accommodate the expansion of the Lodge Membership, and was overseen by Bro. R.J.D. Croft, a Past Master of the Lodge. The dedication and consecration of the Temple was carried out at the Installation on 19^th July 1958, by the Right Worshipful District Grand Master, Bro. Peter Cameron.

The building still stands today, and is now owned by Lodge Sir Walter Scott No 859 (SC). The building still proudly displays the original Foundation Stone, dated 17^th July, 1925.

Lodge Royal Stuart moved to the Curney Knuckey Masonic Centre Kingsley in 1994, and commenced meetings in February 1995 with Bro. Terry Griffen as the Right Worshipful Master. Bro. Harry Draper was the first Right Worshipful Master to be installed at Kingsley (and possibly the first RWM of a Scottish Lodge installed in a Lodge Room directly owned by the Grand Lodge of Western Australia.) Bro. Jack Mead and Bro. Harry Draper have held the position of Right Worshipful Master of Lodge Royal Stuart no less than three times each. The Centenary Master, Bro. George Buchan, is the 93^rd RWM of Lodge Royal Stuart.

Since the dedication of Lodge Royal Stuart in 1899, we have welcomed 753 members into our Lodge. A number of these brethren have served the District with pride, and special mention goes to Bro. George Critchley, who served as Right Worshipful District Grand Master between 1974 and 1979.

The following brethren have received Grand Honours from The Grand Lodge of Scotland:-

Bro. George Critchley, RWDGM, Hon. Grand Junior Warden

Bro. Jack Prosser, DG Secretary, Hon. Grand Almoner

Bro. Jack Mead, Sub, DGM, Hon. Junior Grand Deacon

Bro. Jack Lyon, DG Chaplain, Hon. Grand Bible Bearer

Bro. W.S. Spargo, Hon. Junior Grand Deacon

Bro. Ray Beaman, Hon. Grand Architect

Bro. Harry Draper, Hon. Grand Inner Guard

To the next one hundred years…….

The legacy handed down from the first one hundred years of our existence should be regarded as a challenge for the next Century. We must continue to emulate the high standards set for us by our predecessors, strengthen our ties of brotherly love, and by doing so, we can ensure that the brethren of old will look down from the Grand Lodge above with a great sense of pride, assured in the knowledge that Lodge Royal Stuart is in safe hands.

1999 was a very important year in the history of our Lodge and we should use the analogy of that year as being the foundation stone placed in the North East Corner of the building, to be the building block in formulating a strategy to ensure Lodge Royal Stuart is at the forefront of Masonry in the next Millennium

With the fine history behind us, and the commitment of today’s brethren, Lodge Royal Stuart No. 893 can only go from strength to strength.