Following a petition to the Grand Lodge of Scotland signed by seven Master Masons from the area, a Charter was granted on 3rd February 1783 to form a Lodge in Pollokshaws. The Lodge owes much of it's creation to the presence of a number of Master Masons who had been attracted to the new industries which had been newly established in the village of Pollokshaws.. Pollokshaws Royal Arch which was originally numbered 203 on the Roll of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, was sponsored by Argyle and St Marks Lodges. Sadly Lodge Argyle no longer exists, however St Marks No 102 still meets regularly in Whitehill Street, Dennistoun, Glasgow. Pollokshaws Royal Arch Lodge became No 153 in 1817 and has remained so ever since..
The Lodge did not have a permanent meeting place until, in 1833, arrangements were made to meet in the Maxwell Arms Inn . The building adjoined the Town' House but is now partly demolished as is much of the original village. The Lodge continued to meet there until 1875 when they changed to the Cogan Street Hall. This was the Lodge's residence until 1899 when, thanks to the benevolence of Sir John Stirling-Maxwell, provision was made to provide a lodge room attached to the Pollokshaws Burgh Halls.
The Province of Renfrewshire East was formed in 1826 and Pollokshaws Royal Arch Lodge was one of the Founder Lodges along with Rutherglen Royal Arch No 116, Paisley St Mirrin's No 129, St Barchan No 156, Garthland St Winnoch No 205, Houston St Johnstone No 242 and Union & Crown No 307.
For those Burns enthusiasts, Robert Burns favourite daughter Betty became a resident of Pollokshaws following the death of her father. Her married name was Mrs John Thomson and two of her sons and a nephew were members of the Lodge. Her sons were called Robert Burns Thomson and James Glencairn Thomson. Both were active members without aspiring to the chair.. Both are buried in the local Vennel cemetery..
Historically, Masonic Lodges were frequently involved in the laying of the Foundation Stones of many new structures and buildings and the Brethren of Pollokshaws Royal Arch Lodge were very much involved in such duties.. The list is too extensive to be itemised on this page, however for those interested a list is available by clicking on "Keystone" at the bottom of the page
The Lodge celebrated it's 200th Anniversary on the 4th Feb 1983 with a Redication Ceremony carried out by The Grand Lodge of Scotland headed by The Grand Master Mason, Bro Sir James Wilson McKay.. Members then retired to Glasgow City Chambers for a Civic Dinner. The RWM during the Lodge's 200th year was Bro James Rennie Tait..
On 2nd Feb 2008, The Lodge celebrated it's 225th Anniversary with a Redication Ceremony carried out by The Provincial Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire East headed by the Provincial Grand Master, Bro David Alexander Reid. Bro John Hamilton Clugston, P.M. was RWM for the Lodge's 225th year.
Throughout it's history, Pollokshaws Royal Arch Lodge, like many other Lodges, has seen it's ups and downs but it continues to be a very active Lodge both within and outwith the Province. In recent years it has shared bi-annual visitations to St Michael Tayport where friendships having been forged between the Brethren of the two Lodges..
The Lodge did not have a permanent meeting place until, in 1833, arrangements were made to meet in the Maxwell Arms Inn . The building adjoined the Town' House but is now partly demolished as is much of the original village. The Lodge continued to meet there until 1875 when they changed to the Cogan Street Hall. This was the Lodge's residence until 1899 when, thanks to the benevolence of Sir John Stirling-Maxwell, provision was made to provide a lodge room attached to the Pollokshaws Burgh Halls.
The Province of Renfrewshire East was formed in 1826 and Pollokshaws Royal Arch Lodge was one of the Founder Lodges along with Rutherglen Royal Arch No 116, Paisley St Mirrin's No 129, St Barchan No 156, Garthland St Winnoch No 205, Houston St Johnstone No 242 and Union & Crown No 307.
For those Burns enthusiasts, Robert Burns favourite daughter Betty became a resident of Pollokshaws following the death of her father. Her married name was Mrs John Thomson and two of her sons and a nephew were members of the Lodge. Her sons were called Robert Burns Thomson and James Glencairn Thomson. Both were active members without aspiring to the chair.. Both are buried in the local Vennel cemetery..
Historically, Masonic Lodges were frequently involved in the laying of the Foundation Stones of many new structures and buildings and the Brethren of Pollokshaws Royal Arch Lodge were very much involved in such duties.. The list is too extensive to be itemised on this page, however for those interested a list is available by clicking on "Keystone" at the bottom of the page
The Lodge celebrated it's 200th Anniversary on the 4th Feb 1983 with a Redication Ceremony carried out by The Grand Lodge of Scotland headed by The Grand Master Mason, Bro Sir James Wilson McKay.. Members then retired to Glasgow City Chambers for a Civic Dinner. The RWM during the Lodge's 200th year was Bro James Rennie Tait..
On 2nd Feb 2008, The Lodge celebrated it's 225th Anniversary with a Redication Ceremony carried out by The Provincial Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire East headed by the Provincial Grand Master, Bro David Alexander Reid. Bro John Hamilton Clugston, P.M. was RWM for the Lodge's 225th year.
Throughout it's history, Pollokshaws Royal Arch Lodge, like many other Lodges, has seen it's ups and downs but it continues to be a very active Lodge both within and outwith the Province. In recent years it has shared bi-annual visitations to St Michael Tayport where friendships having been forged between the Brethren of the two Lodges..