Chapiter Lodge
4677
Chapiter Lodge was consecrated on 6th February 1925 and is named after that part of the capital of a pillar or column which is the decorated head that supports the entablature of the structure of a building above. In this case, the word ‘Chapiter’ is used specifically in relation to the pillars which stood at the porchway entrance to King Solomon’s Temple. The name has specific Masonic meaning which is explained in the lecture in the Second or Fellow Craft Freemasons’ degree. The Chapiter is central to our Lodge logo and banner.
In the Lodge we work to Taylor’s ritual and are proud to follow the heritage laid down by the Founders of the lodge who clearly stated its purpose from the outset by adopting the Latin motto ‘NITOR AD ALTISSIMUM GRADUM ASCENDERE’ which translates as ‘Strive to attain the Highest Degree’. With this in mind the lodge aims to impart knowledge to its members of the history, purpose, and underlying precepts of Freemasonry and to explain the hidden meanings that are embedded in the the rituals and ancient symbols that are an intrinsic part of being a Freemason. A member’s Masonic experience is enriched by this process and enables him to use what is learned from this in his daily life.
The unique selling point of the lodge is that it strives to teach its members how to be Freemasons in the fullest sense of the word.
We pride ourselves in performing all parts of the ritual and lectures available in the ritual book to provide full and comprehensive ceremonies for the benefit and instruction of the candidates as well as the Brethren attending. We also give short papers at each meeting (5-10 minutes) on a topic of Masonic interest.
The lodge presents itself as a friendly but dedicated group of brethren where the endeavour set out in the Lodge motto is achieved by working closely together in brotherly love and by the senior members of the lodge always being there to support, not only the new members (be they young or old) but all members of the lodge in their Masonic careers.
After our four formal meetings we hold what is called a ‘festive board’ where we dine locally and have various toasts and responses. Freemasons who visit our lodge know us as a very friendly lodge which is reflected in our festive board and is why we have regular visitors.
We have Masonic contacts in Romania and members of the lodge visit Bucharest once a year and we give demonstrations of our English degrees. We are supported in this by members of other lodges (including Scottish Masons) who join us regularly on our visits.
Our Lodge of Instruction also meets at Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen Street, London usually on every second Tuesday (7pm–9pm) of the month. On the fourth Tuesday of the month the members meet by Zoom at 8pm to discuss aspects of Freemasonry, its history and meanings. The members are kept informed on a regular basis of the actual dates. Lodge of Instruction is where members are taught how to learn the ritual and are given the opportunity to practice it as they progress. The Preceptor and senior members always explain why things are done the way they are and what the meaning of the rituals and symbols is, so as to bring real understanding to Freemasonry. It is in Lodge of Instruction that Masonic friendships are formed in the spirit of harmony and working together.
We openly welcome members from other lodges who do not have a Lodge of Instruction and in this respect we are well able to accommodate the practice of different rituals.
Chapiter Lodge No. 4677
A History of the Lodge Banner
By W. Bro. Steve Smith PPJGD (Essex), Past Master and Mentor of the Lodge.
© January 2015.
An extract of a paper delivered at the Installation meeting of the Lodge on 23rd January 2015.
Brief History of the Banner
The banner was presented to the Lodge by W. Bro. E. Parkinson P.M., P.Z., the first Worshipful Master of the Lodge at its Consecration ceremony on 6th February 1925. From the Lodge minutes it does not appear that the banner was dedicated at the same ceremony, and it may be that it never has been dedicated. I have been unable to locate any record of the cost of manufacture of the banner or confirmation of who actually made it. However it was made from a ‘special design by Fattorini & Sons Ltd of Bradford’. This fact is recorded on the two designs submitted to the Founders, one of which was accepted and then approved by Grand Lodge on 2nd December 1924 for use as a lodge emblem. It is probable therefore that Fattorini and Sons made the banner. The same firm also designed the Founder’s jewel. The originals of these designs which are hand painted in water colour are contained in the ‘Foundation Record’, a scrap book which contains all of the original documents and correspondence concerning the foundation of the lodge and the Consecration meeting.
Fattorini & Sons was a jewellery business established in Harrogate 1831 by a family of Italian immigrants who arrived in the city of Leeds, in Yorkshire, England in the early 19th century. In the 1850s Thomas Fattorini opened a shop in Bradford with two of his sons. The company name still exists today. For many years Fattorini and Sons were a prominent manufacturer of regalia for use in the different Orders of Freemasonry. Their factories and retail outlets in Yorkshire and Birmingham provided a regional competitor to the well-known London based regalia manufacturing companies. Many items of masonic regalia manufactured by Fattorini and Sons remain in current use, and bear the company’s “signature-style” label.
The banner which exists today is not the original one. On the reverse of the banner is the following embroidered note:
‘This banner incorporates parts of the original which was damaged by fire 4th September 1950 and re-made 8th February 1952 and subsequently damaged by fire at the Central London Masonic Centre 24th May 1993.’
There is also a small tag on the reverse of the banner with the name ‘Ian Allan Regalia’ who are undoubtedly the company who restored the present banner from the original made by Fattorini and Sons.
It is not known what parts of the banner survived the two fires and was subsequently incorporated into the present one but from a close inspection I would suggest that the central part of the banner between the scrolls with the Lodge name and Lodge number is the part which survived the 1993 fire. This is heavily embroidered in a raised pattern. The date of restoration from the 1993 fire is not known. Rather ironically the surviving part of the banner is that which depicts fire, cloud, and water!!
A further irony is that the Foundation book experienced a similar fate having survived the onslaught of the blitz on London in 1941 at which time it was in the custody of W. Bro. H. D Rangdale, the Petitioning Secretary for the foundation of the Lodge, and subsequently the first Secretary of the Lodge. He was at that time living in Upton Park, London E. 13. There is a letter inside the cover of the Foundation book dated 28th October 1941 from him to a person named Fred. The letter reads as follows:-
