Blackpool Chapter of Sincerity No 4175
E,Comp.
E.Comp.
E.Comp.
From suggestions made by the Assistant to the Grand Superintendent, Excellent Companion the Rev. Harold Kirk-Smith, during the early 1980's, that there was a need for more Royal Arch Chapters in the Fylde, the Blackpool Lodge of Sincerity sponsored the Petition for a new Chapter to be named after the Lodge. The first meeting of the founders took place on Monday 2nd 1987 at the Masonic Hall, Blackpool. There were thirty-three founders representing ten Chapters and during the next eighteen months many meetings were held. It was agreed that the Three Principals would be the three Group Officers viz.: E. Comp Jack Humphrey, P.G.Std.B. as M.E.Z., E.Comp. D E Birch, P.G.Std.B. as H., and E.Comp. G S Partington as J. The Three Principals and the Officers agreed to purchase the robes, collars and jewels of their respective offices and to present them to the Chapter at the end of their term in Office. The Chapter would meet four times per year, on the first Monday of November, January, March and the first Wednesday in May which would be the Installation Meeting. The founders fees were set at £65.00 which included the dining fees except for the Installation Meetings. With a few minor alterations the logo of the Chapter was taken from the design of the Lodge banner.
The Consecration was held at the Masonic Hall, Adelaide Street on Thursday 27th October 1988. The Consecration Officer was the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, Comp. Alan Fletcher Ferris and the Installing Principal was E. Comp. E. Houghton, P.G.S.N., Deputy Grand Superintendent, Officers of the Province and the Provincial Choir assisted them. The Chapter was filled to capacity, as was the banqueting suite after the Consecration Ceremony.
The first Candidates were father and son from Sincerity Lodge, W.Bro. J.Child and W.Bro. S.H. Child and were exalted at the same meeting. The membership, after ten years, is forty six; thirty one being exaltees or joining members. The success of the Chapter mirrors the spread of Royal Arch Masonry on the Fylde coast during the last twenty years.