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On 30th November 1909, the Provincial Grand Master of Essex, Colonel the Right Honourable Mark Lockwood, P.C., M.P., consecrated Undine Lodge at the Lopping Hall, Loughton. It was founded as a daughter lodge of Bagshaw (No. 1457) by a group of Masons who were devoted to teetotalism. Their intention was to provide the means by which their friends and co-workers in the Sons of Temperance Friendly Society could join the Masonic Order. Hence the Lodge was founded on temperance principles.

Originally it was intended to name the Lodge after a prominent worker in the field of temperance. Brother Edward Catesby, who was at that time a member of the Grove Park Lodge (No. 2732). His family connection with the infamous Guy Fawkes is well documented. However, approval to use his name was withheld by the Provincial Grand Master who objected to the name of an individual being adopted as the title for a lodge within his province. The name of a water sprite “Undine “ was then considered as it was associated with the temperance beliefs of the founders. The discovery that Undine had no soul was thought to preclude its use. However, further research disclosed that a pregnancy had not only presented her with child, but had also conferred the gift of a. soul. ‘Thus it became possible to reconcile the name with Masonic principles and the title was adopted.

The three sons of Edward Catesby took a great interest in the Lodge from the time of its inception, although unfortunately only one, Brother James Catesby, was able to join as a founder-member. The others refused to depart from their original intention of forming such a lodge in the Province of Hertfordshire. This appeared to be out of the question as the Provincial Grand Master of Hertfordshire, Sir Thomas Halsey, would not allow the consecration of a temperance lodge within his province, maintaining that such principles could not survive in Masonry. However, all three Brothers continued their interest in Undine Lodge. They presented to the Lodge a banner bearing their arms, a parchment depicting the arms and listing the names of the founders, and a fine set of ivory and silver working tools in a lined case. The banner and tools are still in use, but the parchment has been lost. This probably occurred in 1941, when the Warrant and all minute books and records were destroyed in an air raid.

It was the tragic loss of these documents which prompted a founder-member, the late Worshipful Brother James R. Cully, to compile a small history of the Lodge up to that time, assisting his memory with the study of Grand Lodge records. In 1 959 he produced a further history to mark the 50th anniversary. This occasion was commemorated by a special meeting at Loughton Masonic Hall on 30th November of that year.

The Provincial Grand Master, Canon Stafford Morris, was invited to this meeting, but had to decline owing to a prior arrangement to see his bishop that day. An Assistant Grand Master was made welcome in his place. The anniversary was celebrated in style, with Worshipful Brother Cully taking the Chair by invitation of the reigning Master. A donation of 100 guineas was made to the Royal Masonic Institute for Girls.

Notwithstanding the two world wars which have occurred during the life span of Undine, most of the meetings have been held on the due dates. Each year has seen a regular progression of initiates with the fee rising from six guineas in 1909 to forty pounds at the present time. The Master for each year has normally been elected on a rotational basis, each happily adapting to the role according to his own capabilities. The usual elevation of the Senior Warden to the Master’s Chair was overturned once shortly after the First World War when the Junior Warden was elected to the highest office after gaining a very narrow majority in the second ballot. It was the opinion of some of the brethren that the Senior Warden was “one of natures gentlemen“ who would be happier in a more subordinate position. He accepted this situation and remained a valuable member until his death in 1940.

A daughter lodge was formed in 1921 and named The Epping Forest Lodge (No. 4263). Further daughter and grand-daughter lodges were to follow the next was Amesbury (No. 5099) in 1929, then Wansford (No. 7101) in 1951, and Goodwill (No. 7904) in 1963. Although none of these lodges supports the original temperance intentions, contact is maintained by a happy association of mutual visits, particularly at Installation Meetings. The Epping Forest Lodge is this year to sponsor a new lodge to be called the Lodge of Stedfast Unity.

An Undine Royal Arch Chapter was proposed in 1914, but war conditions then prevailing delayed its formation until after the Armistice’. The Chapter is still with us and is supported by many members of Undine Lodge.

Charity has always been at the heart of our institution. Undine has supported charity for the whole of its life and the Hall Stone Jewel is a proud possession. It was granted to’ the Lodge after the members had contributed over one thousand pounds to the Masonic Memorial Scheme, a fund created after the First World War for the purpose of building a memorial to the fallen. The memorial stands today as the magnificent Freemasons Hall in Great Queen Street, London.

Conditions within our Order have changed noticeably during the last quarter century. A generation has arisen which is less interested in fraternal societies. Masonry will surmount this difficulty, as it has overcome many others during its long period of evolution and growth.

Finally, we can be sure that the temperance principles of Undine Lodge, preserved for our life of seventy-five years, and our continuing strength within the Order, would lead the Founders to believe their confidence fully justified in forming a lodge which has lived and grown with these principles. They would view with pride the continuing and healthy life of their “sprite”