The petition seeking authority from Grand Lodge for the formation of Guy’s Lodge was dispatched by Royal Mail coach from Leamington Spa late in an afternoon of January 1829.  The petition was duly forwarded to Kensington Palace, residence of the His Royal Highness, The Duke of Sussex, then the Most Worshipful Grand Master.  On the 14th February 1829 is was duly endorsed ‘granted’.

The first regular lodge meeting was then held on 18th November 1829 with Nicholas Lee Torre occupying the chair of the Worshipful Master.  The Warrant was then read to the Brethren by the Secretary, Samuel Lea.  This inaugural meeting was held at the Bedford Hotel, now the site of the HSBC Bank on the Parade.  The Lodge met here for the next eights years.  After that the Lodge met at various locations: The Crown Hotel (High Street), the Bath Hotel (Bath Street), the Public Hall (Windsor Street), finally making the move to Victoria House in 1889.

At that time Victoria House belonged to Jonathan Fell, a member of Guy’s Lodge, who was prepared to sell it to the Lodge for the purposes of Freemasonry. The price of £800 plus £700, for further alterations, decorating and furnishings, was raised by the Victoria House Syndicate.  Brethren of Guy’s Lodge, 27 in total, formed the syndicate which issued 159 shares at £5 each, the balance was mortgaged.

Another prominent founder was Dr Henry Jephson, a renowned Physician, after whom the town’s Jephson Gardens are named.

Guy’s Lodge early progress was slow but as the only Lodge in the town it attracted members from local business and professional firms, which enable it to prosper and grow. A glance through the list of Past Masters gives a glimpse of many of the famous names who helped build Leamington Spa.

Guy’s was the only Lodge to meet at Victoria House until after the Second World War after which it was opened up to a number of  new Lodges with the formation of Masonic Rooms (Leamington Spa) Ltd. Today a number of Craft Lodges and other Masonic orders meet at Victoria House.

As one of the older Lodges in the area it has, over the years, sponsored many new Lodges locally. The first in 1849 was The Lodge of Unity No 567, which meets at Alderson House in Warwick. Since then it is either the mother Lodge of, or the Grandmother Lodge of another seven local Lodges.

Since its inception the Masters of Guy’s Lodge have contributed to the well being of the town, particularly in the early years. Guy’s Gavel was used on a number of recorded public occasions for the ceremonial laying of various foundation stones, and as such takes pride of place in the Lodge archives.

The history and tradition of Guy’s Lodge is the envy of many Lodges and is a significant factor in attracting new recruits. Our archive store has a wealth of items tracing our progress over nearly 200 years. Members today come from a wide range of backgrounds and age groups which has enabled the Lodge to widen its appeal and thereby continue to be well supported. We regularly have 35 to 40 attendees at our monthly meetings.