HISTORICAL LINKS
Mark Grand Lodge was formed in June 1856, and pursuing its self appointed task with vigour and tact, - consecrated 6 new Lodges in 1857 as well as securing the allegiance of several of the older Lodges. In particular, the Thistle Lodge No 3, operating as a Scottish Lodge in London joined the new Mark Grand Lodge.
The Senior Warden of the Thistle Lodge at this time was a certain Brother by the name of Frederick Binckes who became the inspirational force in founding the Royal Sussex Mark Lodge No.75 in 1865. He also took an active part in the formation of our own Provincial Mark Grand Lodge in 1874.
The creation of any new Lodge calls for a tremendous amount of groundwork. We do not know where it all started - perhaps a rumour went around the County - we all know how rumours start! The rumour grew to a murmur, and then someone decided that it would be a splendid thing to have a new Mark Lodge in our County town of Lewes. Urged on no doubt by the then Provincial Grand Mark Master (Lord Arthur Hill) and his cohorts, six venerable brethren petitioned Mark Grand Lodge.
Their names are recorded as follows:-
V.P. Freeman
R. Pidcock *
S.R. Legge *
H.W. Abell *
S. Peters *
A.F. Lamette
* These four were then members of Royal Sussex Mark Lodge No. 75
It is therefore reasonable to assume that our Mother Lodge is Royal Sussex Mark Lodge No.75. 2.
THE NAME OF THE LODGE
When entering a petition for a new Lodge, the convening secretary must state the name under which it is to I operate. I wonder how long those ’worthies deliberated? Was it a stroke of genius or a flash of inspiration? Was it just a slip of the pen? I like to think that the name was deliberately chosen. A ’Lewis is defined as "a contrivance for attaching a chain for the purpose of lifting heavy blocks of stone - consisting of two dove-tailed tenons expanded by a key in a dove-tailed mortice". Such is the badge or crest on our banner and such is the name of our Lodge.
CONSECRATION OF THE LODGE
It is curious that in the 23 years intervening between the consecration of our Mother Lodge and our own, that there should have been so little variation in procedure.
The Warrant of the Lewis Mark Lodge is dated 29th June 1888 when Lord Arthur Hill was our Provincial Grand Master in the Mark Degree. The actual consecration was held at Lewes Freemason’s Hall on Wed. 5th Sept 1888 and the Deputy Provincial Grand Master presided. He was assisted by a team of 10 Provincial Officers and 4 other brethren. The minutes do tell us that V.W.Bro. Smith proceeded to advance 6 brethren before he carried out the Ceremony of Consecration.
We have no evidence as to how long the meeting lasted, but the brethren eventually adjourned to the Bear Hotel for supper. This hostelry which was situated adjacent to the Cliffe Bridge on its Eastern side is no longer in existence, having been destroyed by fire in 1915.
