History of the Masonic Hall
St Paul's Church North Shore
At 2.15 a special train conveyed the Freemasons to Blackpool, a Grand Provincial Lodge being opened at Christ Church School, and attended by about 250 masons. About 3.30 a procession of Masons was formed in Dickson Road, and, headed by 1st Volunteer Battalion North Lancashire Volunteer Band, they proceeded to North Shore. In front of the procession were two mounted policemen, and Inspectors Sharrock and Milne had charge of a number of police, the Chief Constable (Mr. J.C.Derham) being present at St. Paul's. The procession, which was a very imposing one, the Freemason's wearing their beautiful insignia of office, and was witnessed by hundreds of people. There were two tylers with drawn swords, the visiting brethren from different lodges of the Province according to their numbers, the juniors walking first with their banners; then came the inner guard with sword, senior and junior wardens, past masters, masters, Provincial Grand officers of other provinces, architect with plans, assistant Provincial Grand Tyler, with drawn sword, a cornucopia with corn, borne by the Master of a lodge, two ewers with wine and oil, past Provincial Grand Pursiant*, Provincial Pursiant* and the innumerable other grades of rank followed.
When the head of the procession arrived at the site of the Church, the brethren divided to the right and left, forming an avenue, through which the Prov. G. Master passed, proceeded by the Heralds, the Prov. G. Standard Bearers, and the Prov. G. Sword Bearer, and followed by the Master of a Lodge, bearing the Ionic Light. The Prov. G. Master, the Deputy Prov G. Master, the Grand Officers of England and the Prov. G. Officers then followed in succession from the rear, so as so invert the order of procession.
The arrival of the Prov. G. Master was announced by a flourish of trumpets, and the procession then entered the enclosure. The Officiating Brethren took the position in the East (dais) West, North, and South assigned to them by the Prov. G. Director of Ceremonies and his assistants, and deposited the vessels etc., borne in the procession, on the pedestal placed for their reception.
Amongst the clergymen present were the Rev. C. H.Wainwright (vicar, Christ Church), the Rev T. Watson curate-in-charge of St Pauls, Rev. Job Edwards (St John's), Rev. T. H. Ethell (All Saints), Rev. R. Lavers Kemp (curate of Christ Church), while Messrs. Fielding (contractor), Thomas Banks, P. Hodgson, Saxtin, Hescott, Hall and Councillor J. Hodgson had charge of the arrangements. The hymn "The Lord of the world" was sang, after which Bro. Rev. T. Watson requested the Provincial Grand Master (Lord Skelmersdale) to lay the foundation stone, at the same time presenting him with a mallet. Mr. Watson said that he appreciated the kindest of the Masonic brethren in coming there that day to perform the ceremony, and said his Lordship would appreciate very highly the mallet, when he told him that it had been specially made from the oak of the "Foudroyant" the copper band also obtained from Nelson's old flagship.
He was sure it would be one of the most cherished heirlooms he could possibly have. He again thanked the Masons for their kindly presence that day. Mr. T. G. Lumb (representing Messrs. Garlick and Sykes, the architects) next handed a silver trowel with ivory handle to his Lordship. The copper band on the handle bore the following inscription:- Presented to the Right Hon. The Lord Skelmersdale, P.G.W., P.Pr.G.W, on his laying the foundation stone of St. Paul's Church, Blackpool, May 7th 1898. This oak and copper band forms part of Nelson's flagship, the "Foudroyant", wrecked at Blackpool, June 16th 1897.
The trowel also had a suitable inscription.
The Prov. G. Master then proved the just position and form of the stone by the plumb rule, level and square, which were successively delivered to him by the Prov. Junior Grand Warden, the Prov. Senior Grand Warden, and the deputy Prov. Grand Master. Being satisfied in these particulars he gave the stone three knocks with the mallet. The cornucopia containing the corn, and the ewers with the wine and oil, were handed to the Prov. G. Master who strewed the corn and poured the wine and oil over the stone with the accustomed ceremonies. After a flourish of trumpets, a psalm was sung.
A prayer was then offered by the Prov. G. Chaplain with the response by the brethren "So mote it be". The architect presented the plans of the Church, which were inspected by the Prov. G. Master, who delivered them to the architect and desired him to proceed without loss of time to the completion of the work. The hymn "O Lord of heaven, and earth, and sea" was sung. Then, after a collection had been made, the singing of the National Anthem concluded the proceeding so far as St. Paul's was concerned.
On the stone was the following inscription:-
"This foundation stone was laid with Masonic ceremonial by the Right Honorable the Lord Skelmersdale, P.G.W., P.Pr.G.D.C**,West Lancashire, May 7th 1898. The Rev. C. H. Wainwright, M. A. Vicar, and the Rural Dean of the Fylde: Bro. the Rev. T. Watson, curate-in-charge"
* Should read Pursuivant.
** Should read P.Prov. J.G.W.