Lodge History

This brief Lodge history is shared so that members of the James Speller Lodge may know something of the Brethren who brought the Lodge into being, those who carried on their work, and so made it possible for the present generation to enjoy the privileges which they do.

A society of men that has met regularly for over one hundred and ten years must have acquired some traditions, and the traditions in this Lodge, handed down from our Founders and early Brethren, are:

A love for our ancient Institution.
A constant Endeavour to make the Lodge a centre of charity in our broadest sense - in thought, word, and deed.
An appreciation of and desire for good work in the Lodge meetings

The world during the past Hundred and ten years has passed through much trial and tribulation, and cannot be concealed that this Lodge has also had its times of trial and stress, but always the Brethren have had before them the bright example of their illustrious predecessors, who have met in this Lodge, as we do today, to instil in the hearts of the members the great virtues of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth and in spite of wars and rumours of wars to rejoin the household of the faithful to live together in peace.

The strength of the Lodge at the present time proves that the Founders did not labour in vain, and it is hoped that all the Brethren are striving to make this spiritual edifice which they erected, and which is being maintained, a monument of Wisdom Strength and Beauty.

We hope that the Brethren will find pleasure in reading this brief record of the life of James Speller Lodge No 3577 for the past hundred and ten years, ever remembering that we study the history of the past, but we make the history of the future.

James Speller was initiated in the Crusaders Lodge No 1677 on 20th October 1880, at the Imperial Hotel Holburn Viaduct, his occupation was Manufacturing Stationer, his proposer was the WM W. Bro. SA Hunter and seconded by W. Bro WB J. Goode, his address given as 4 Charterhouse Buildings London EC which is believed to be his business address. He was passed on the 17th November 1880, and raised. He was installed WM on 19th February 1881. W.M. in 1893-4 and again in 1911-12. When he retired he lived at 182 Selhurst Road South Norwood and was DC of Crusader Lodge until 1923. In 1908 he received the honour of PGSB. Founder and P.M. of Warner Lodge No. 2256, Shurmer Lodge No 2374, Eyre Lodge No. 2742, first W.M. of Forest Hill Lodge No. 2846, and in 1912 was W.M. of the Essex masters Lodge No 3256, of which he was also a Founder. In 1912 a Lodge was founded bearing his name: The James Speller Lodge No 3577, of which he was the first Master, PPGDC.(Essex), PGStB. He was exalted in the Islington Chapter No 1471 and First Principal of 1895, he was first M.E.Z. of the Crusaders Chapter No 1677, and of the Forest Hill Chapter No 2846, P.Z. also of the Warner Chapter No 2256, the Guelph Chapter No 1685, the Shurmur Chapter No 2374, the Hornsey Chapter No 890, the St Leonard Chapter No 1766, and the Empire Chapter No 2108. PPGAsst.Soj.(Essex) P.A.G.D.C.(England). He was four times Master in the Mark Degree P.P.G.J.W. of the Essex Mark Province.

For many years Preceptor of the Evening Star Lodge of Instruction at Catford. Patron of the Three Masonic Institutions.

Outside Freemasonry he was a Past Master of the Old City Guild, the Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers.