Who we are and what we do
We are Towan Lodge, 7684. We are an eclectic mix of brothers united in our lodge by the three principles of Freemasonry, these being brotherly love, relief and truth. Meeting once a month on the first Thursday, except July, August and September in the lodge to conduct lodge business and proceedings. We also meet outside of the lodge socially, for charity fundraisers, dining and other events. If you are interested in attending a social event, membership not necessary, please navigate to the contact page and submit your details.
How and where did Freemasonry start?
It is not known. The earliest recorded 'making' of a Freemason in England is that of Elias Ashmole in 1646. Organised Freemasonry began with the founding of the Grand Lodge of England on 24 June 1717, the first Grand Lodge in the world. Ireland followed in 1725 and Scotland in 1736. All the regular Grand Lodges in the world trace themselves back to one or more of the Grand Lodges in the British Isles.
There are two main theories of origin. According to one, the operative stonemasons who built the great cathedrals and castles had lodges in which they discussed trade affairs. They had simple initiation ceremonies and, as there were no City and Guilds certificates, dues cards or trade union membership cards, they adopted secret signs and words to demonstrate that they were trained masons when they moved from site to site. In the 1600s, these operative lodges began to accept non-operatives as "gentlemen masons". Gradually these non-operatives took over the lodges and turned them from operative to 'free and accepted' or 'speculative' lodges.
The other theory is that in the late 1500s and early 1600s, there was a group which was interested in the promotion of religious and political tolerance in an age of great intolerance when differences of opinion on matters of religion and politics were to lead to bloody civil war. In forming Freemasonry, they were trying to make better men and build a better world. As the means of teaching in those days was by allegory and symbolism, they took the idea of building as the central allegory on which to form their system. The main source of allegory was the Bible, the contents of which were known to everyone even if they could not read, and the only building described in detail in the Bible was King Solomon's Temple, which became the basis of the ritual. The old trade guilds provided them with their administrative structure of a Master, Wardens, Treasurer and Secretary, and the operative mason's tools provided them with a wealth of symbols with which to illustrate the moral teachings of Freemasonry.
There are two main theories of origin. According to one, the operative stonemasons who built the great cathedrals and castles had lodges in which they discussed trade affairs. They had simple initiation ceremonies and, as there were no City and Guilds certificates, dues cards or trade union membership cards, they adopted secret signs and words to demonstrate that they were trained masons when they moved from site to site. In the 1600s, these operative lodges began to accept non-operatives as "gentlemen masons". Gradually these non-operatives took over the lodges and turned them from operative to 'free and accepted' or 'speculative' lodges.
The other theory is that in the late 1500s and early 1600s, there was a group which was interested in the promotion of religious and political tolerance in an age of great intolerance when differences of opinion on matters of religion and politics were to lead to bloody civil war. In forming Freemasonry, they were trying to make better men and build a better world. As the means of teaching in those days was by allegory and symbolism, they took the idea of building as the central allegory on which to form their system. The main source of allegory was the Bible, the contents of which were known to everyone even if they could not read, and the only building described in detail in the Bible was King Solomon's Temple, which became the basis of the ritual. The old trade guilds provided them with their administrative structure of a Master, Wardens, Treasurer and Secretary, and the operative mason's tools provided them with a wealth of symbols with which to illustrate the moral teachings of Freemasonry.
Brief history of Cornish Freemasonry
The problem of exporting Freemasonry to Cornwall at the beginning of the eighteenth century was the very poor infrastructure. However, by the end of the 1700s there was a stage coach from England to Bodmin and Falmouth, with many more branch routes to follow. The tin mining industry was also in its ascendancy. Falmouth was developing into a flourishing port. Therefore it is not unsurprising, that with an active social society and an increasing intellectual population, the need for a gentleman's club was considered necessary. The camaraderie that Freemasonry offered, saw the founding of the first Masonic Lodge in Cornwall in 1751, Love and Honour Lodge, now Number 75, met at the King's Arms Tavern in Falmouth, and was formed a year before the Province of Cornwall was established.
Towan Lodge was founded on the 02 December 1959.
Towan Lodge was founded on the 02 December 1959.
