Welcome to our website where you will find information for both current and prospective members.

St Mary’s Lodge was founded in 1971, and is one of 38 Masonic lodges in the Province of Shropshire warranted by the United Grand Lodge of England. St Mary’s meets at the 6th Form College, The Grove School, Market Drayton. The meetings are held monthly, usually on the fourth Monday of each month from September to April inclusive, excluding December, although an adjustment is sometimes made to account for Easter.

The evening begins at 18.00 hrs with a Ceremony followed by other Lodge business. Subsequently, at about 20.00 hrs, we have a formal meal called the Festive Board. The evening normally ends by about 22.00 hrs.

Rehearsals for Ceremonies are held normally on the Thursday evening before each meeting, and Brethren who are involved are very much encouraged to attend. New members are included early on, and most follow a well-structured progression which ultimately will lead them to become Worshipful Master of the Lodge for a year. In time, Brethren will be encouraged to visit other Lodges, perhaps join other Orders and/or do other work according to their inclination and abilities.

We have an active Lodge of Instruction which meets once a month (the second Tuesday of the month) at a local pub during the Masonic season. It is an opportunity for members to come together to learn, practice and rehearse masonic ritual in a less formal setting, and to obtain the answers to any questions which may arise. It provides a good environment for newer masons to become involved in the life of the Lodge.

In addition to Masonic meetings, the Lodge holds social events and informal gatherings, and often supports those held by other lodges and the Province. Partners and friends are usually welcomed to these. Money raised by the Lodge is donated to its own charities, to the Shropshire funds and also to the national Masonic charities, which give impressive donations to many worthy causes.

St Mary’s membership is drawn from many different backgrounds, welcomes different Faiths and a spread of ages too. It is an important rule, however, that religion and politics should never be discussed at a Masonic meeting. Experienced members are tasked with supporting new Brethren through our Mentoring system.

We enjoy our Freemasonry, and also the friendship and social connections within the lodge. We are always keen to accept new members, and are renown for our friendliness and warm welcome.

If you are interested in joining us, or would like to find out more, please contact the Lodge secretary on the following link: secstmarys8373@gmail.com , or ring the Lodge Membership Officer, Bryan Rothwell, on 07850 402904.

There is also a considerable amount of additional information on the website of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Shropshire which you can access on the following link: https://www.shropshiremasons.org.uk/ .