From the stonemasons of the Middle Ages to a lodge that has met in Bexley for over a century — the long story of the Craft, and our small but proud part in it.
Freemasonry as we know it is often traced to 1717, when four lodges in London came together to form the first Grand Lodge. But its roots run deeper still — to the working stonemasons of the Middle Ages, whose guilds and lodges guarded the skills of building the great cathedrals of Europe.
From Operative to Speculative
Those early masons were 'operative' — they truly cut and laid stone. Over time, gentlemen who admired the craft and its values were admitted as 'accepted' or 'speculative' masons, using the tools not to build in stone but to build character. From that transformation grew the fraternity that spread across the world.
Freemasonry in New South Wales
The Craft reached the colony of New South Wales early in the nineteenth century and grew with it. Lodges were chartered under the English, Irish and Scottish constitutions until, in 1888, they united to form the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales — today the United Grand Lodge of NSW & the ACT, under which our lodge proudly works.
Our Own Story
Lodge St Andrew at Bexley No. 7 traces its origins to 1851 and Lodge St Andrew No. 358 under the Scottish Constitution — the Mother Lodge of that Constitution in NSW. Through unions with Lodge Bexley and others, and a home built in Bexley in 1923, our lodge has kept an unbroken line of Freemasonry for 175 years, right here in the St George district.
“Grata Quies — welcome rest.”
— The motto of Lodge St Andrew at Bexley No. 7
To join us is to become part of a story that stretches back centuries and forward into the future. If you would like to add your name to it, we would be honoured to hear from you.
Considering the Craft?
If Freemasonry speaks to you, the next step is simply a conversation. Lodge St Andrew at Bexley No. 7 would be glad to answer your questions — there is no obligation, only a warm welcome.
