Chapter of Hope 2679

The Great War, that had started in 1914 with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand at Sarajevo, by 1917 had reached some sort of stalemate on the Western front after many bloody battles.  Both sides were dug into trenches stretching from the North Sea to Switzerland crossing Belgium and France.  Each side trying push after push with the loss of thousands and thousands of lives.

By 1917 troops are fighting in Bagdad and Macedonia. Japan is involved and the Germans announce “unrestricted” submarine warfare and threaten to sink hospital ships.

The British liner Housatonic and the Cunard liner Laconia both being torpedoed and sunk eventually give President Wilson the “overt acts” needed to persuade congress to declare war on Germany.  Britain’s Great War had now become a World War.

July 1917and the Tank Corps is formed in the British Army.  On the Western Front the Battle of Ypres begins with the Battle of Pilckem Ridge.

The Bolshevik party changes its name to the Communist Party and Moscow was declared the capital of Russia.  Tsar Nicholas II of Russia was executed along with his family by a Bolshevik squad in Ekaterinburg.

In the North West the average house price was £195.00 that is £12,561 today.  The average wage was £133.00 per annum equivalent to £8.459.  Bread was 5d a loaf that would be 2 pence today but equivalent to £1.  Milk was 1s, 2d a pint £3.75 today and beer 6d a pint.  £1 in 1918 is approximately equivalent to £63.60 100 years later. 

In 1918 £1 is made up from 20 shillings, and one shilling is 12 pennies, there are half pennies and farthings (quarter pennies).

A Guinea is 21 shillings.  A Crown is 5 shillings, Half a Crown 2 shillings and six old pence, a Florin 2 shillings, there are 6 penny and 3 penny pieces.

The Prime Minster Lloyd George, and his Liberal Government, had introduced emergency measures which halved the volume of beer brewed.  Halved its strength.  Increased excise duty on it by 600% and slashed pub opening hours by two thirds.

In 1917 the first recorded case of Spanish flu in Kansas marked the start of a worldwide pandemic that killed millions.  Some had said that the influx of American troops brought it to the United Kingdom.

In Manchester the Influenza epidemic was at its height.  Representatives of places of amusement in Manchester met with Dr. Niven and the Chief Constable and decided not to admit children under the age of fourteen to performances.  Every effort was being made to secure the release of skilled coffin makers from the army, and soldier labour was being used for the digging of graves.  Schools were closed until after Christmas.

In Ashton-under-Lyne the Munitions factory, one of many in the Manchester area was ripped apart in a colossal blast that wrecked a large area of the town.

In Patricroft a number of Chapter Masons in spite of the World War, bad news at home and death from the epidemic were looking into the future and were optimistic enough to consider forming a new Holy Royal Arch Chapter.

THE CHAPTER OF HOPE No 2679

The first meeting to consider the formation of a Holy Royal Arch Chapter was held in the Masonic Rooms, Barton Road, Patricroft on 1st August, 1917 when the following were present:-

E.Comp. E. J. Chambers, Chairman. A Past Zarubbabel of Victoria Chapter 1345.

E.Comp. W. L. C. Bowden. A Past Zarubbabel of Victoria Chapter 1345.
E.Comp. J. Hartley Barrett.  Past Zarubbabel of Victoria Chapter 1345.
E.Comp. J. E. Barlow. Past Zarubbabel of Victoria Chapter 1345.

Comp. J. Hollinworth. Urmston Chapter 1730.
Comp. G. White. Urmston Chapter 1730.

This was followed by a meeting held on 1st October, 1917 when it was agreed that subject to a Petition to form a Chapter being granted the following propositions were made:-

2679. The name of the Chapter would be Chapter of Hope No. 2679.
2680. A sub-committee consisting of E.Comp. E. J. Chambers, Comp. Wiles and Comp. J. Hollinworth be empowered to purchase Chapter furnishings and the amount to be expended not to exceed £80.
2681. That the Exaltation Fee would be £3.    0d                             Three Guinea’s         (£3.15)
2682. That the Joining Fee would be £1.    0d                                   One Guinea                        (£1.05)
2683. That the Annual Subscription would be   £1.    0d                                                                       (£1.30)
2684. That the Founders Fee would be £10.    0d

                               Ten Guinea’s            (£10.50

1. That the three Principals would be: –
   Comp. E. J. Chambers as Z.
   E.Comp. W. L. C. Bowden as H. Comp. S. Cowan as J.

At a subsequent meeting it was announced that furniture had been purchased for the sum of £74 4s. 9d. also 10 aprons, sashes and jewels, all subject to the Petition being granted.

At the meeting of Supreme Grand Chapter held on 6th February, 1918 the Petition for the Chapter of Hope No. 2679 to be formed was granted.

At the meeting of the Committee held on 18th February, 1918 it was agreed that jewels for the founders and consecrating Principal be purchased also Founders were absolved from the payment of annual subscriptions for a period of five years.   It was confirmed the Chapter would meet at the Masonic Rooms, Barton Road Patricroft on the second Friday in February, April, October and December.  The rent of £6 per annum for the use of the Masonic Rooms was considered fair and agreed upon.  The Lodge of Hope No. 2679 approached the Chapter offering the use of any furniture the Chapter may wish to use.  The Acting Secretary was requested to write and thank the Lodge of Hope for their offer. Seven of the founders were in the Lodge of Hope.

The consecration of the Chapter of Hope No. 2679 took place at The Masonic Rooms, Barton Road, Patricroft, at 3-30 p.m. on Saturday 28th September, 1918.

The meeting opened with:-

E.Comp. G H Anderson, P.Z. of Victoria Chapter 1345 and Andrew Chapter 3328 occupying the chair of Zarubbabel.

E.Comp J. C. McIntyre, P.Z. of Victoria Chapter 1345 occupying the chair of Haggai.

E.Comp WM Hamilton, P.Z. of Victoria Chapter 1345 occupying the chair of Joshua.

Comp. H. Wiles, of Victoria Chapter 1345 as Principal Sojourner.

Comp T. Dean, of Victoria Chapter 1345 as Scribe Nehemiah.

Comp. R. D. Smith of Victoria Chapter 1345 as Janitor.

The consecrating Principals accompanied by other officers of Supreme Grand Chapter and Provincial Grand Chapter entered the Chapter and were saluted by the Companions present.

The chair of Zerubbabel was taken by The Most Excellent Grand Superintendent the Hon. Sir Arthur Stanley, G.B.E., C.B., M.V.O., M.P. 

The Chair of Haggai was taken by E.Comp C. S. Ramsden, Provincial Grand Haggai.

The Chair of Joshua was taken by E.Comp J. Burrell Provincial Grand Joshua.

Acting as Scribe Ezra was E.Comp T Parker.

Acting Janitor was Comp R. Smith.

E Comp. W.L.C Bowden

At the end of the Consecration Ceremony;-

E.Comp Edgar John Chambers was installed in the chair of Zerubbabel.

E.Comp William La Coste Bowden was installed in the chair of Haggai.

E.Comp Samuel Cowan was installed in the chair of Joshua.

The Most Excellent Zerubbabel then invested his officers:-

Comp. J. E. Barlow as Scribe Ezra.

Comp. J. Lord as Scribe Nehemiah.

Comp E. L. Adams as Treasurer.

E.Comp. W. L. Bowden as Director of Ceremonies.

Comp. J Hollinworth as Principal Sojourner.

Comp H Wiles as 1st Assistant Sojourner.

Comp. G. Brookes as 2nd Assistant Sojourner.

Comp. R. D. Smith as Janitor.

At this meeting 4 companions were proposed as Joining Members and 6 Brethren were proposed for Exaltation.

At the next meeting on 11th October, 1918 all the above were admitted. After the four joining members were admitted the six candidates were exalted. Three by E.Comp. E. J. Chambers, M.E.Z. and three by E.Comp. G. H. Anderson, P.Z., Andrew Chapter 3328. At this meeting 12 brethren were proposed as candidates for Exaltation.

The first Group Representative was Comp. J. E. Barlow, Scribe E, the first Charity Representative was Comp. J. Hollinworth. The installation after the consecration took place on Friday, 12th
December, 1919.  The first donation to charity was £10 made to West Lancashire Alpass Benevolent Institution on 13th December, 1918.

The first summons of the Chapter to bear the names of all officers was dated 9th February, 1923.

On 9th February, 1923 E.Comp. T. Smith presented the Chapter with the Centenarian Arch.

On 10th October, 1924 E.Comp. J. Hollinworth made a gift of cupboards to the Chapter.

Excluding Installation meetings at least one candidate was exalted at every meeting until Friday, I0th April, 1931.

Extract from the minutes of the meeting held on 9th February, 1940 – It was proposed and carried unanimously that a letter be sent to the then Conservative Club terminating the hire of the Masonic room forthwith.

The Chapter met in The Masonic Rooms at the then Conservative Club, Barton Road until 8th December 1939 when the 20th Installation after the Consecration was held at Elm Bank, Half Edge Lane, Eccles and has been held there four time a year ever since.

On 10th April, 1942 it was carried ‘unanimously that the annual subscription be increased from £1 6s.0d. to £1, l l s.6d.

On 10th December, 1943 the annual subscription raised to £1 15s.
On 13th December, 1946 the annual subscription raised to £2 2s.
On 13th December, 1957 the annual subscription raised to £3 3s.
On 13th December, 1967 the annual subscription raised to £4 4s.

It would be wrong to say the Chapter had not passed through troublesome times, at one period there were a large number of resignations but the records do not give any reasons also during 1964 the Chapter suffered a very severe loss due to the death of four very active workers for the benefit of the Chapter.  

E.Comp. J. W. Hooley, H.

E.Comp. E. W. Bromley, Treasurer.
E.Comp. T. Smith, P.Pr.A.G.D.C. Janitor
E.Comp. S. Pimblett, P.Z.

The 50th Anniversary meeting of the Chapter was held on Friday 11th October 1968 at Elm Bank and was attended by E.Comp G. Ward Platt P.G. Treasurer, 2nd Pr.G.Principal, E.Comp Earnest Heaton P.A.G.Soj., Assistant to the Grand Superintendent, E.Comp. A. Cowling P.A.G.S., Pr.G.D.C.

E.Comp G Cluley P.Pr.G.S.N. gave a brief reading from the history of the Chapter on its activities during the first 50 years. Cheque’s for £100 for The Alpas Benevolent Institution and £50 for the Hanney Residential Trust in celebration of the Jubilee of the Chapter.

E.Comp H. Edden, E.Comp J. Edden (Jnr) and Comp R Cook were then balloted for and approved as the three principals for the Jubilee year.

From this time the Chapter had a constant supply of candidates for Exaltation indeed many of the convocations were double ceremonies. The first Convocation, apart from Installations, which did not have the Exaltation of at least one candidate was not until April 1972.

During this period, on 9th October 1970 our longest serving Companion, E.Comp. Brian Crossley P.G.Std.B., was Exalted by E.Comp J. Edden Jnr.

On 26th April 1974, after a short sequence of Convocations without any candidates Bro. John Christopher Hutton received his Exaltation into the chapter by E.Comp H Edden

Chapter charity donations at the time were very generous. At the Installation in December 1976 a total of £275.75 was presented to the Representative and a further £278 donated to a selection of charities at the following April’s Convocation

Following discussions at the October convocation, at the convocation held on 14th December 1979 it was passed that E.Comp W.E. Catterall P.Pr.A.G.Soj., who had been exalted into the Chapter in April 1958, be made an honorary member of the Chapter in recognition of his long service and failing health.

Charity donations continued to be at a high level. At the installation convocation in December 1980 a total £451 was given to E.Comp T.H. Bentley PGStdB representing the Grand Superintendent £350 of which was for the RMBI 1981 Festival.  At the convocation held on the 9th October 1981 it was proposed and passed that E.Comp Joe Hall PGStdB be granted honorary membership of the Chapter in recognition of his 50th year in Freemasonry and his role as Group Chairman.

At the installation convocation on 13 December 1985 E.Comp Brian Crossley was installed as MEZ and E.Comp John C Hutton as H with E.Comp D Walton P.A.G.Soj, Assistant to G Supt in attendance.

The following photo was taken in 1987.

The Installation of E.Comp L. Parsons at the convocation held on 14th December 1990 was honored by the attendance of E.Comp Rev. H Kirk-Smith PAGSoj, Deputy Grand Superintendent.

At the next convocation a ballot was held for two candidates W.Bro. Gordon T. A. Berry and W.Bro. Andrew J. Berry – father and son.  Both were approved as candidates and W.Bro. Gordon Berry was exalted. Comp. Harry Edden volunteered at the last minute to perform the ceremony as MEZ was snowed in at could not get to the meeting!

W.Bro. Gordon Berry was exalted at the next convocation held two months later in April.

Inflation was affecting the Chapter subscription rates for 1990/91 they were £35, for 91/92 £40, for 92/93 £46 and for 93/94 £55

At the February meeting 1997 there was a Letter from Brian Crossley having just arrived in Bangladesh giving his apologies for non-attendance and stating that he wouldn’t be thinking of the Chapter at 9.00pm in U.K.as it would be 3.00am the following day in Bangladesh.

At the October meeting1999 a talk was given which included a list of all members of Chapter of Hope.

In December 1999 a Dispensation was granted to enable Comp. Harry Cropper to be installed as Second Principal after passing through the Third Chair. Comp. Harold Smith was then installed as Third Principal.  Subscriptions were raised £2.00 to £70.00.

December 2001 the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent Companion Colin Penty Wright was in attendance at the Installation of E.Comp Harold S Smith as M.E.Z., E.Comp Philip A. Evans as H. and Comp. Brian Lawrence as J.  Cheque’s for £500.00 To West Lancashire 2002 Festival and £100.00 to the Friends of Ecclesholme were presented.  Subscriptions went up by £5.00 to £75.00 in this era of high inflation.

October 2002  there was a Lecture entitled The Chapter Tracing Board – Past, Present and Future it was delivered with E.Comp Brian Anthony Jackson P.G.Swd.Br., Deputy Provincial Grand Superintendent in attendance.

The December Installation 2002 once again the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent Companion Colin Penty Wright was in attendance at the Installation of E.Comp Philip Andrew Evans as M.E.Z.

There then followed a period of fewer Exaltations and consequently a series of lectures.  E.Comp Samuel Kershaw P.Pr.Asst.G.Soj, who had been exalted in April 1966 was elected an honorary member in 2005.

The Chapter received a Dispensation for the April 2006 Convocation to be convened on 5th May 2006 for the dedication of the new Robes for the three Principals. This was carried out by E.Comp. The Rev. Kenneth Cox accompanied by E.Comp John C Hutton Past Grand Standard Bearer, Assistant to the Three Grand Principals and other Officers of Supreme Grand Chapter.

The Chapter also suffered a great loss in June 2007, as E.Comp. N. Calderbank, who was in the chair of Z. passed away.  He had been the Chapter’s Director of ceremonies for a number of years previously.

At the Installation Convocation on 14th December 2007, along with a ballot for a candidate for Exaltation four members of Andrew Chapter 3328, joined, following the recent handing-in of its warrant.

In 2010 at the October Meeting E.Comp. Francis Hart Toop P.Pr.Asst.G.Soj., was elected as an honoury member and in 2011 E.Comp. Ronald Frank Butler P.Pr.G.Scribe N was afforded the same honour.

At the Convocation held on Friday 13th April 2012 it was announced the E.Comp John C Hutton had been awarded the honour of being appointed as 2nd Grand Principal for the Province of West Lancashire

The Convocation held on 12th April 2013 the Chapter along with E.Comp. K P Poynton Asst. to Pr.G.Ps. hosted Representatives of The Royal College of Surgeons who gave an insight into the research work which was being funded largely by grants from The Royal Arch. This convocation was attended by 45 visiting Companions.  The same year E.Comp Alexander William Donaldson P.G.Std.B., who had been exalted in 1976, was elected an honoury member.

May 2014 a meeting was held to look into the possibility of the Chapter having a banner in time for the centenary in 2018.  It was decided to send a draught design to Province to see if the concept was possible as the majority of companions were in favor and a number of ideas had been made by companions. By October the Provincial Scribe E had issued comments and suggestions about the design. And The Hope ladies committee had donated £500.00 towards its manufacture.  In October 2015 there was a letter of approval for the design of the Banner which had been done by the Scribe E, E.Comp B Lawrence.  E.Comps H Cropper and S S Boyd then proceeded to find a suitable manufacturer for the banner.

On 9th October 2015 the Chapter gave a demonstration of the Enhanced Exaltation Ceremony, and at the February 2016 Convocation W.Bro L Heathcote (the father of the Chapter’s 2nd Principal) became the first Candidate to receive this enhanced, explained version of the ceremony. With the increase in numbers of candidates an emergency meeting was held in November of that year rather than the practice in the early days of the chapter of performing joint Exaltations.

By December 2015 a company, in the wilds of Scarborough, had been selected to manufacture the banner.  By February Instructions went out to start making, and the Chapter started thinking about the dedication ceremony.

2016 the banner had been produced and E.Comps H Cropper and J C Hutton, chapter materials specialists, set about furnishing the banner with suitable means of displaying, carrying and storing the banner.

On the 12th April 2017 The Chapter Exalted Bro. Olumide Cuthbert Jatto in the presence of E Comp Paul Renton P.G.Std.B.,2nd Provincial Grand Principal and E.Comp B. Jameson, Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals.  The scepter was offered to E.Comp Renton who said he was tempted to retain it as he was to do an exaltation in the near future but returned it as he would like to see how the Chapter of Hope did it.

The Convocation held on Friday 13th October 2017 dedicated the banner which the Chapter had commissioned to mark its centenary. This was attended by Comp Paul Renton P.G.Std.B who was now The Grand Superintendent and the dedication was carried out by E.Comp. Barry Jameson now promoted to 2nd Pr.G.P.

The Convocation held on Friday 8th December 2017 was the Installation of E.Comp Harry Cropper P.Pr.A.G.Soj. as 1st Principal of the Chapter for its centenary year. 

Since its dedication the chapter has had a total of 304 members including Founders and a current membership of 23 active members,

Over the past 100 years the chapter has had members exalted into the chapter from sixty lodges and had joining members from nine chapters.  Five members have been promoted to Supreme Grand Chapter and one became the Second Provincial Grand Principal.  There have been seventy-two Provincial appointments.

The chapter is honoured to have the present Group Chairman and Vice Chairman as members.  In past years as well as at this moment in time chapter members have been active on the Elm Bank Management team.