Warrant

The original warrant of St.Andrew Masonic Lodge was issued in Coagh, Co.Tyrone, Northern Ireland where It remained until 1805. From 1807 until1859 it was in Cookstown, Co.Tyrone, Northern Ireland.. From 1882 to 1890 it was in Wellington, New Zealand and finally in 1919 it was issued to St.Andrew 469 in Belfast. The warrant of St.Andrew Masonic Lodge 469 was surrendered in April 2009 thereby paving the way for the amalgamation of these 2 great lodges.

St.Andrew Lodge No.469

The Minutes of the Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes dated 29th September 1919 show concerning Warrant No. 469 - "29 September, 1919 - Read Memorial from Bros. Watt, Harris, Connell and others praying for a warrant to establish a Lodge in Belfast in the County of Antrim to be called the St. Andrew. Recommended." The Recommendation of The Board was followed, as is shown in the Grand Lodge Minutes of 2nd October 1919 as "Confirmed".

Warrant No. 469 was reissued to `St Andrew Lodge' in 16, DONEGALL SQUARE SOUTH, BELFAST on the 8th October 1919. Series four Vol. 16 shown as Volume 4a of the extant Grand Lodge Registers shows -

"Warrant No. 469 to Belfast at "St. Andrew Lodge", 8 October, 1919 - Robert Watt, Docker (258); John M. Harris, Commercial Traveller, (274) and John Connel, Ship-builder (51) registered along with fifteen others from various lodges, 8 October, 1919."

The Lodge was formed on Wednesday the 7th January 1920, when Wor.Bro.Dr. Rob Watt and seventeen other Scottish brethren were Constituted into St. Andrew's Masonic Lodge.

St. Andrew's Lodge No. 469 had one unusual bye law in that "Every member shall be of Scottish nationality by birth, or through a parent or grand-parent born in Scotland." [Subequently amended].

The Constitution Ceremony was held in the Masonic Rooms of The Scottish Temperance Buildings in Belfast in the presence of Rt. Wor. Bro. J.H. Sterling, Provincial Deputy Grand Master of Antrim. Series five Vol. 19 shown as Vol. 3 of the extant Grand Lodge Register commences with the registration of James Dorward, Master Queen's University, registered 5th December 1923. A total of 53 brethren registered up to 3rd October 1923. In most cases the dates when the issue of certificates is shown, together with the occupation of the brother.

A total of 94 brethren registered up to 1st April 1953. In most cases the dates when the issue of certificates is shown, together with the occupation of the brother. Series six Vol. 22 of the extant Grand Lodge Register commences with the registration of David McA. Hunter, Asst. Manager, registered 2nd December 1953. Warrant No. 469 was removed to Freemasons' Hall, ROSEMARY STREET, BELFAST in 1956.

A total of 45 brethren registered up to 5th October 1983. In most cases the dates when the issue of certificates is shown, together with the occupation of the brother.

From 1984 the registration of members of ST. ANDREW'S LODGE No. 469 is held, in alphabetical order, in a computerised register by Grand Lodge, Freemasons' Hall, 17 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2. The Registration of the Worshipful Master, Wardens and Secretary of Lodges are held in separate Registers, the first Volume covering the period 1983 to 1994 inclusive and the second Volume covering from 1995 to date.

With the closure of Freemasons' Hall, ROSEMARY STREET, BELFAST, Warrant No. 469 was removed to Freemasons' Hall, ARTHUR SQUARE, BELFAST in 2008.

In April 2009, Warrant No. 469, was surrendered and in May 2009, like a phoenix arising from the ashes, a new Lodge, St.Andrew Lodge of Harmony 111, formed by the amalgamation of Masonic Lodge of Harmony 111 and St.Andrew Masonic Lodge 469, held its first communication