STRAND CHAPTER NO. 1987
The Royal Arch Chapter
Consecrated in 1924 and attached to Strand Lodge ever since. Same people for the most part, a different piece of work, and a different hall in St James's.
THE FOURTH STEP
What the Royal Arch is
The Holy Royal Arch is the completion of a Freemason's journey through the Craft. English Freemasonry describes it as the fourth step, and the ceremony finishes the story that the three Craft degrees begin.
You cannot start here. Royal Arch membership is open to Master Masons, which in practice means members of a Craft lodge who have taken the third degree. If that is you, and particularly if you are already a member of Strand Lodge, you are the person this page is written for.
1924
Our Chapter
The decision to form the Strand Chapter was taken in 1923. It was to be attached to Strand Lodge, and the Lodge gave its consent on 8 November that year. The petition was signed by the Master and his two Wardens.
The Charter was granted on 6 February 1924 by command of the First Grand Principal, HRH the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn.
The Chapter was consecrated on Wednesday 24 September 1924 at Freemasons' Hall in Great Queen Street. Fourteen Companions petitioned for it, nine of them already members of Strand Lodge. One of the three Principals designate died before the ceremony could take place, and the Grand Scribe E endorsed the Charter to approve his replacement.
The first regular convocation followed on 21 October 1924 at the Hotel Cecil in the Strand, where the Lodge also met at the time. Two candidates were exalted.
VENUES
A hundred years of moving house
Chapters go where the accommodation is, and ours has been a fair few places.
| Years | Where | Meetings |
|---|---|---|
| 1924 to 1930 | Hotel Cecil, the Strand | Fourth Tuesday in January, March and October |
| 1930 to 1937 | Hotel Metropole, Northumberland Avenue | Third Friday in September, December and March |
| 1937 to 1972 | Piccadilly Hotel | First Friday in January, March and May, later January, May and September |
| 1973 to 2025 | Windsor Hotel, Lancaster Gate | First Friday in January, second in May, third in September |
| Present | Mark Masons Hall, St James's Street | Third Friday May, third Thursday November" |
The war shows up in the minutes more plainly than anywhere else. From January 1941 meetings were moved to half past twelve and followed by luncheon. In 1943 the Piccadilly Hotel could no longer supply wine, only a limited quantity of whisky and beer, and the price of the meal rose to twelve shillings and sixpence a head including the use of the temple. Later that year the hotel stopped serving meals altogether. The Chapter declined the offer of refreshments instead and took to dining at the Holborn Restaurant afterwards. It was January 1947 before the Companions dined at the Piccadilly again.
DIARY
When and where we meet
The Chapter meets three times a year at Mark Masons Hall, 86 St James's Street, London SW1A 1PL. Convocations begin at 5pm.
| Convocation | When |
|---|---|
| Installation | Third Friday of May |
| Election | Third Thursday of November |
Note that this is not Great Queen Street. The Lodge and the Chapter meet at different halls.
EXALTATION
Joining the Chapter
If you are a Master Mason and you would like to join us, write to the Scribe E. Members of Strand Lodge are encouraged to consider it, and most of our Companions came to the Chapter that way.
If you are not yet a Freemason, the Craft comes first.
USEFUL LINKS