The Menturia Story

Menturia Lodge 418 has, over many years, played a major role in the development of freemasonry in the province of Staffordshire. The Lodge is one of the oldest of the so called 'Hall Stone Lodge's' in Staffordshire, a recognition for its charity in the First World War. It also has led to the development of 29 sister lodges; 25 within the province of Staffordshire and four in Derbyshire. The Warrant of the Lodge was dispatched to the United Grand Lodge of England by a real classic vehicle i.e. coach and horses on Wednesday, 17th October, 1834, and the first meeting of the Lodge was held at the Albion Inn in Hanley, Stoke-on Trent on the following Monday. Menturia continued to meet as Lodge number 606 for 29 years until 1st July, 1863, when the Lodge number was changed to 418.

The Lodge has survived through many challenges since 1900 including two World Wars, and recently changed into a themed Lodge reflecting the passion of many of its members for classic vehicles of any type.

Did you know that in the year Menturia Lodge was formed:

The Tolpuddle Martyrs, six Dorset farm labourers, are sentenced to be transported to a penal colony for forming a trade union.

The Palace of Westminster was destroyed by fire.

Lord Melbourne succeeded Earl Grey as Prime Minister of the UK.

Hanging in chains upon a gibbet after execution was abolished in England.

Slavery was abolished in most of the British Empire.

Architect and inventor Joseph Hansom patented the Hansom cab. A classic vehicle!

In 1813 the then two Grand Lodges of England united on the 27th December which led to a massive expansion of Freemason's Lodges home and abroad, and the formation of Menturia Lodge in 1834 with Ralf Stevenson as the first worshipful master. An ancient Lodge with long traditions!

A message from the Worshipful Master