Aylesbury Masonic Hall
Aylesbury Masonic Hall is the first purpose built Masonic Hall in the Province and was consecrated by Buckingham Lodge no.591, the first lodge to be consecrated and remain in this Province, it provided the venue for the first meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Buckinghamshire on the 17th of July 1890.
The property, which had previously been used as a Fives Court, was purchased by Buckingham Lodge for £200 in 1880. The building work was completed in 1882, which date is still displayed on the front wall. The building was originally set back from the road, having a small forecourt with a wall and iron railings in front.
In 1902 the fascia of the building was removed, the building extended to the pavement and the frontage rebuilt as it is today. This gave an enlarged entrance hall, ante room and kitchen. In 1914 the lower hall was requisitioned by the War Department, forcing the festive boards to be held elsewhere for the time being. The hall was being used by a number of different lodges at the time, however it was owned and run by Buckingham Lodge. In 1947 Aylesbury Masonic Hall Ltd was created and the hall ownership was transferred to the company.
The property, which had previously been used as a Fives Court, was purchased by Buckingham Lodge for £200 in 1880. The building work was completed in 1882, which date is still displayed on the front wall. The building was originally set back from the road, having a small forecourt with a wall and iron railings in front.
In 1902 the fascia of the building was removed, the building extended to the pavement and the frontage rebuilt as it is today. This gave an enlarged entrance hall, ante room and kitchen. In 1914 the lower hall was requisitioned by the War Department, forcing the festive boards to be held elsewhere for the time being. The hall was being used by a number of different lodges at the time, however it was owned and run by Buckingham Lodge. In 1947 Aylesbury Masonic Hall Ltd was created and the hall ownership was transferred to the company.
Since the creation of the AMHL, the directors of which are made up of representatives of every lodge meeting in Aylesbury, the hall has been maintained, upgraded, and improved in almost every year. A lift was fitted in 1957 for the first time, in 1968 the downstairs temple was used for the first time. A metal fire escape stairway was built in 1986, and in 1987 the lodge banners were permanently displayed in the temple. In 1988 the downstairs temple was replaced by a dining room, and a bar and kitchen were added. A major extension was completed in 2009, it included, amongst other improvements, a new lift and entrance hallway, new kitchen and bar, air conditioning, a second staircase, disabled facilities, and a committee room.
With thanks to Richard Skym, AMHL Company Secretary.
More details can be found in the booklet - A Brief History of Aylesbury Masonic Hall by Richard Skym, copies available from the bar at Ripon Street.
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