Adams Lodge first  met in The  Sign of the Marquis of Granby a tavern situated within the barracks.

It was transferred to the ‘Mason Arms’  in 1792 then it moved to various other sites including;-‘Belle and Lion Bluetown ,’ White Horse ‘ in Bluetown, ‘Chequers Tavern ‘ in BlueTown, ‘Red Lion’ in Blue town.

‘Fountain Hotel ‘ in Bluetown, ‘Britannia Inn in  ‘Mile Town, Royal Hotel in Broadway,  ‘Swan

Inn ‘ in Bluetown. ‘Royal Hotel ‘ Mile Town,

‘Wellington Inn ‘Mile Town,  ‘Local Board of Health Rooms. ‘

etc etc etc and finally in 1909 to the Masonic Hall St. Georges Avenue. 

It is interesting to note that in 4^th Sept 1798    Relief to a distressed Brother   5/-

Relieved a brother from Bagdad in Asia   8/6d    3^rd Sept. 1799

To  a coffin for Bro. Dolinson £2-12-4d  5^th Aug 1800 

On the lighter side we have recorded 1807 1^st Sept. Bro. Smith  fined 1/6d for attending Lodge with a long beard

1808 2^nd May  Bro.Baker  fined 6d for not having shaved and Bro. Abbott fined 6d for swearing 

A ceremony  probably unique in the history of Sheerness was witnessed in 1835 on the occasion of laying the foundation or first stone of  The Holy Trinity Church  by Adams Lodge and was attended by seventy Freemasons representing various lodges in the District of Kent

 “ It was the wish of the inhabitants  of the Isle of Sheppey in general  that  the First Stone of the new church about to be erected at that place should be laid with Masonic Honours and Ceremonies etc.etc….”

An extract showing the Loyal feelings of the Lodge members is to be found on 18th June 1840 when it was unanimously carried that  “ In consequence of the late treasonable attempt to assassinate Her Majesty and Prince Albert that an address be presented by Provincial Grand Lodge to her Majesty and Prince Albert on their providential  escape from such an attack.”

 Also from the minutes ,1846 6^th January Paid for Beer at Xmas for Poor in Workhouse. 12/-

The sudden death of an unknown gentleman occurred at the “Wellington  Inn “ on 16^th July 1862 and an examination of his effects revealed Masonic clothing but no money .When this information reached the members of Adams Lodge it was proposed and carried unanimously that the lodge should bear the cost of the coffin the church fees and the ground. The cost to the Lodge was £5-5s-6d

A memorial plaque to John .Staples .Keddell  ,a surgeon,, a well known and respected mason held in high esteem ,bearing many Masonic symbols can be seen on the wall at the entrance to the North West  corner of Holy Trinity Church  in the Broadway

.During November 1869 a serious accident occurred on board HMS Thistle and among those lost were Bros. Daer and Lawrence .At the next Lodge meeting it was agreed “ That a  vote of thanks be tendered to the Captain Superintendent of the Dockyard and  the Commandant of the Garrison for their courtesy in receiving and acceding to the wishes of the deputation from the Lodge with regard to the funeral of these Brethren”.

He had allowed a Masonic Funeral to be held instead  of a Military ceremony.. Shortly afterwards the Lodge undertook to pay for the erection of head and foot stones  to their memory and  for their maintenance.

In  January 1880  information reached the Lodge that the body of one of the members was lying at his residence and that owing to the reduced circumstances caused by his long illness ,his wife had not the means to bury him. It was immediately decided that the Lodge should bear all the expenses of internment and arrangements were at once made , even to the tolling of the bell at an additional cost of1s-6d.

20^th May 1839.

The provincial Grand Lodge of Kent met in Sheerness attended by brethren from Lodges throughout the County.The business of the Province was then proceeded with at the “ Fountain Inn “ where breakfast was served. On its completion soon after noon a procession was formed and the brethren proceeded  to  the Trinity Church through streets lined with  people for a church service…

The order of the procession was

Band of Music

Banners of the Twelve Tribes of Israel borne by twelve young gentlemen

Tyler of Adams Lodge

Brethren of Royal Navy Lodge,  Ramsgate

Two by two preceded by their banner

Brethren of Lodge Peace and Unity, Dover

Two by two preceded by their banner

Brethren of United Chatham Lodge

Two by two preceded by their banner

Senior Warden of Lodge of Harmony , Faversham

Two by two preceded by their banner

Brethren of Prince Edwins Lodge, Hythe

Two by two preceded by their banner

Brethren of Lodge of Friendship , Gravesend

Two by two preceded by their banner

Brethren of Adams Lodge , Sheerness

Two by two preceded by their banner

The Provincial Grand Lodge with Three Candlesticks

The Sacred Volume, Square and Compasses borne on a cushion

Then Right Worshipful Deputy Provincial Grand Master

On arrival at the church the procession halted and the Officers passed through the lines and were then followed by the brethren into the church,  the body of which was filled ,while in the sides and galleries were seated their relatives and friends. 

In Mr. A T Sears  Book “James Prankard” ,   among the records of the Bethel Independent Church  1813 is  ;-

To the United Brethren of the Lodge of Freemasons Mile Town Sheerness

Gentlemen,

We, the undersigned ,  feeling  compassion for the moral degradation of those children who without restraint are permitted to range the streets on a Sabbath day, and growing up into life without that Institution ,which will form them useful and important members of society; have earnestly wished to contribute our humble endeavours to remove this growing evil ,by our gratuitous labours of a Sabbath day in instructing such children as shall be put under our tuition

The nature of the education which we intend to give , is to teach them to read, and to catechise them in the common principles of Christianity ; without any reference to sect or society. The doctrines we intend to inculcate are those of the Established Church of England or those of the Shorter  Catechism of the Assembly of Divines which  is precisely one with the former.

Knowing, Gentlemen  your philanthrophy to all classes of the community whose religious objects are unison with your own ; otherwise we would not have presumed. We ask the liberty of your lodge as a place of Instruction ; and we pledge ourselves not to  permit the children to be without some of the teachers ;and we will take every precaution that nothing shall be injured ,leaving it as clean as we find it.

                                    We are Gentlemen.

                                                Your humble servants.

This application was favourably entertained and the gratuitous use of the room was granted.

Woolworths store now stands on the site of the freemasons lodge hall

This poster advertising the Sunday School  was  dated only two days before the opening.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

FREEMASONS LODGE

MILE TOWN

SHEERNESS

On Sunday next , the 12^th instant,  a school will be opened at the above place, for the Instruction of children of both sexes, in the Rudiments of Christianity .Those parents whose desire it is ,to keep their children from  the Paths of the Destroyer ,and to train them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord , are requested to bring them to the school on Sunday Morning next at  Nine o’clock.
Sheerness Sept 10^th 1813.

In 1817 it was in this year that the church members began to extend the work of preaching in the new area of Mile Town ;the  opening of the Sunday School there has already been recorded , and once again the Deacons hired the freemasons lodge. 

Historical notes

1874 September 5^th   The Grand Master of Greece took part in laying the Foundation Stone of  The Erasmus 

Wilson Lodge at Greenhithe/Gravesend The mallet used was then one  used by Charles 2^nd to lay the foundation stone of St.Pauls  Cathedral in 1675.It was presented to the Lodge of Antiquity by Bro.Sir Christopher Wren the Master of the Lodge. 

One of the Queenborough Church Bells was taken down  by the Island Freemasons and recast , it has wording cast around  the bell to signify that.  It was also  consecrated by the Bishop. 

The Lodge meetings  and Masonic information was often reported in the Sheerness and national newspapers for example ;-

In the Sheerness Times and Guardian , a copy of which is in the Sheerness Library

1865 April 1^st           The Installation of Adams Lodge.

1879 April 19^th       When  Adam Pucket the Master of Adams Lodge died he  had a funeral  procession one mile long .

The United Masonic Club

Notes by a brother

On the 3rd, of February 1998, Adams Lodge No.158 celebrated their Bi-Centenary under the Charter granted them in 1797. They were the only Freemasons Lodge in Sheerness, a distinction they enjoyed for 89 years.

It is therefore not surprising that when, in 1866, informal discussions took place regarding a proposal to form a new Lodge in the Town; the Brethren of Adams Lodge became a little disturbed. So much so that on the 6th. February 1866 the good Brethren of Adams passed a resolution to call an emergency meeting to, "Investigate the proceedings".

Accordingly the Lodge met on the l5th. Of February that year and, after due deliberation it was unanimously agreed that, "The facts of the application for a new Lodge in Sheerness, purporting to be recornmended by the Officers of Adams Lodge, (which is not true), be laid before the D.P.G.M. for his investigation, relative to the meaning of the constitution on this point, and to settle the difference of opinion arising out of this matter.

What the reply to this application was, or what happened at subsequent meetings, appears not to have been recorded. But ultimately on the, 1st. of March 1866 the new Lodge, DeShurland No.1089, was duly consecrated. Now of course, some 132 years later, any differences that may have existed then have long been laid to rest and the two Lodges, together with the other four that now exist on the Island, work in Harmony and Peace.

Due to the pressure of his parliamentary duties, the P.G.M. Lord Holmesdale, was unable to attend the meeting and so, at the Banquet which followed, he "Caused to be placed on the Table, Two dozen bottles of Champagne as proof of the sincerity of his apologies. This to be charged to his personal account".

Unlike today, when we enjoy the facilities of our own rather splendid building, the Brethren had no permanent accommodation and so had to rent suitable rooms wherever they could find them. This usually proved to be in local Inns, Hotels or Taverns. The Tyler having the responsibility for setting up or, as they would have said in those days, "Drawing the Lodge".

Often the Brethren would find that their "Lodge Room" was not available at the time they needed it, which meant they had to find alternative accommodation, often at short notice. It is not surprising therefore that the Brethren became tired of these constant changes.

So it was that in 1896 WiBro Shrubsole, a Founder and the first Master of DeShurland Lodge, together with certain other Brethren, expressed themselves strongly in favour of erecting their own Masonic Temple. Accordingly, on the 24th. September in that year, an emergency meeting was called at which it was proposed that; "A committee be formed to consider the matter of erecting a Masonic Temple".

First, a suitable site had to be found on which to erect their building. Among the many to be considered one in particular stood out - The Weslyan School, formerly known as the "Old British School" was in~fact purchased by. the two Worshipful Masters for the sum of £400.00. A Bro. Bills giving them a cheque for £20.00 to secure it.

These premises were situated in The High. Street, Miletown and are believed to be the building now occupied by Messrs Honors the Furnishers. The project subsequently failed for want of support there being insufficient Brethren to take up the shares.

Nine years later in 1905, United Service Lodge No.3124 was consecrated. This new Lodge became involved in the Masonic Temple project almost immediately with the result that, in November 1906, representatives of the three Lodges "Conferred as to the advisability of securing ground suitable for the Building of a Masonic Temple".

Arising from this meeting was the decision to set up a board of Trustees consisting of representatives from all three Lodges: - Adams, DeShurland and United Service.

Less than a year later, in May 1907, the Trustees were given authority to purchase the plot of land situated at the junction of Cavour Road and Botany Road, (now St. Georges Ave), measuring S5feet by 125 feet, for the sum of £160.00. So it was that this building came into being and the dreams of W.Bro Shrubsole and his colleagues began to come to fruition. The Trust Deed set up ninety-three years ago in 1905 is still in place today.

In October 1908 contracts for the building of an extension were signed, this, of course, was to be the Dining Hall.

On the 18~. December 1918, a letter from the "Honorary Secretary" of a proposed Masonic Lodge, was read to the Brethren of DeShurland at their Lodge meeting, asking them to support their petition to the Most Worshipful Grand Master for a Warrant to be granted. Following some discussion the Brethren unanimously agreed to grant their full support to the application.

Grand Lodge, having acceded to the petition, granted the necessary Warrant and so Queenborough Lodge No. 3893 was duly consecrated. The actual ceremony taking place at Albany Road Sittingbourne.

Among the members of the new Lodge was a Brother of considerable standing who, most generously, made a donation to the Lodge sufficient to enable them to build their own Temple at Queenborough.

Thirty-one years were to pass before there was a further increase in the number of Lodges here in Sheerness. Then, in 1949, the Fifth Lodge The Isle of Sheppey Lodge No.6769 was granted its Warrant. They held their meetings at Queenborough continuously until 1970 when, on the closure of the Queenborough building, both Lodges moved to St. Georges Ave.

Another thirty-seven years were to pass before any further increase in the number of Lodges. Then on the l~. April 1987 Nore Command Lodge No.9199 was consecrated at Westgate Hall Canterbury. They also use the building, bringing the total number of Craft Lodges to six.

I wonder if that handful of brethren who first conceived the idea of building a Masonic Centre here in Sheerness, could have possibly imagined, even the most far seeing of them, that it would ever become the thriving meeting place and Club that it is today. We are indeed greatly indebted to them.

Through their hard work the foundations of our "United Masonic Club" were well and truly laid. Brethren let us ensure that their efforts will never be in vain. Support your Club. Help it to grow from strength to strength and never forget: -

IF YOU DON'T WANT TO LOSE IT USE IT.