SMR 1745 / NS 8557 7329
Having met in various venues, including the Royal Hotel, the Slamannan Lodge of Freemasons decided to erect a hall of its own in 1901. It was designed by a fellow mason, the architect William Black of Falkirk, and stood on the corner of Main Street and Mosscastle Road. On 17 August of that year, the foundation stone was laid by Bro. George Christie, the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Stirlingshire. He was given a silver trowel with ivory handle on which there was the inscription, “Presented by the Architect and Contractors to Bro. George Christie, Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Stirlingshire on the occasion of his laying the foundation stone of the Masonic Hall for Lodge St. John No. 481, Slamannan, 17th August, 1901″.
The Contractors were:
- Mason – John Gardner, Falkirk;
- Joiners – Shanks & Sons, Airdrie;
- Plumber – David Draper, Falkirk;
- Plasterer – James Miller, Grahamston;
- Slaters – Drummond & Crowe, Laurieston.
At the time it was stated that :
The two-storey building cost about £1300 and was made of polished sandstone ashlar. As was common at that time the words “MASONIC HALL” were prominently carved in relief on the plain parapet wall. The corner at the road junction was canted. On the ground floor there were three dwelling houses of two rooms and a kitchen each. The Masonic Hall was upstairs and was accessed from a doorway with a hood moulding facing Main Street. The hall measured 39ft by 26ft 6ins and was well lit by large windows. Leading from it was a cloak-room, lavatory and two ante-rooms.
“This hall is not only to be a Masonic hall, but it is to be a hall for the parish, within whose walls dramatic and operatic works may be staged, where art, science and literature may be illustrated and exhibited, and many other functions too numerous to mention which will elevate, refine, and amuse the social life of the inhabitants of the parish…”
It was used over the following decades for meetings of all sorts, including political rallies and debates, marriages, dances, Burns’ Suppers, funerals, fundraising parties, a voting booth, and so on. The hall continued in use until October 1989 when the members met in a new Masonic Hall in the village before moving to Grangemouth. The old Masonic Hall was demolished in 1990.
Bibliography
| Waugh, J | 1977 | Slamannan Parish Through the Changing Years “After the Lodge had been in existence for more than 30 years the members felt that the time was ripe for the building of a Masonic Hall which would be an advantage both to the Lodge and to the village. In June 1901, steps were taken to bring this into being. Contractors were engaged to build the hall. The architect was Mr. William Black, Falkirk, who held a distinguished position amongst Free Masons in Stirlingshire. By the end of July, 1901, work on the hall was under way. On 17th August of that year, the foundation stone was laid by Bro. George Christie, the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Stirlingshire. He was given a silver trowel with ivory handle on which there was the inscription, “Presented by the Architect and Contractors to Bro. George Christie, Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Stirlingshire on the occasion of his laying the foundation stone of the Masonic Hall for Lodge St. John No. 481, Slamannan, 17th August, 1901″. [p.128] “(The Hall was built at the corner of Main Street and Mosscastle Road. It was a two-storey building and cost £1,300.) [p.129]” |
| Newspapers | Various. listed and quoted below. |
Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 29 June 1901, 6:
“New Masonic Hall – The tradesmen have begun building operations, and from the large staff of workmen employed the tradesmen intend to put forward the work as quickly as possible. The site is on the main street, and the building will certainly be an important adjunct to the properties on that leading thoroughfare.”
Falkirk Herald 24 August 1901 :
“SLAMMANNAN NEW MASONIC HALL”. LAYING OF FOUNDATION STONE On Saturday afternoon the foundation stone of the new Masonic Hall at Slamannan, in course of erection by Lodge St John No. 484, was laid with Masonic honours by Brother George Christie, Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Stirlingshire, assisted by the other office-bearers of the Provincial Grand Lodge.
“The building, which is a two-storey one, is being erected from plans prepared by Brother Wm. Black, architect, Falkirk. The hall, which is to cost about £1300, occupies a corner in a central position in the Main Street of the town. On the ground there are three dwelling houses of two rooms and kitchen each. The Masonic Hall, which is upstairs, is 39 feet by 26 feet 6 inches. Leading from it is a cloak-room, lavatory and two ante-rooms. The hall is well lit and ventilated, and the doorway will be nicely ornamented; otherwise the building will be of a plain, although of a very neat design. The contractors are:- Mason, Mr John Gardner, Falkirk; joiners, Messrs Shanks & Sons, Airdrie; plumber, Mr David Draper, Falkirk; plasterer, Mr James Miller, Grahamston; slaters, Messrs Drummond & Crowe, Laurieston…
“This hall is not only to be a Masonic hall, but it is to be a hall for the parish, within whose walls dramatic and operatic works may be staged, where art, science and literature may be illustrated and exhibited, and many other functions too numerous to mention which will elevate, refine, and amuse the social life of the inhabitants of the parish…”
Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 3 May 1902, 7:
“OPENING AND CONSECRATION OF SLAMANNAN MASONIC HALLS. The opening ceremony and consecration of the new Masonic Hall was performed on Wednesday night. There was a large turnout of the brethren of 484, also visiting brethren from sister lodges. And also a large deputation of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Stirlingshire, headed by Bro Black, Depute Provincial Master, who performed the opening ceremony and consecration in a very able manner… …”
Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 9 July 1904, 6:
“SLAMANNAN ST. JOHN, NO. 484. The regular meeting of this Lodge was held in the Masonic Hall, Slamannan, on Wednesday evening, 6th inst. The Lodge-room, which has been newly decorated by Brother Walter Barr, Airdrie, is certainly a work of art. Having been carried out under his own personal supervision, everything known in craft Masonry is in its proper place, and certainly the workmanship displayed reflects great credit on the designer… Slamannan St John…”
Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser 21 May 1921, 1:
“SLAMANNAN ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER ST. LAWRENCE. No. 12103. A Special Meeting of the above Chapter wall be held in the Masonic Hall. Slamannan.”
Falkirk Herald 17 September 1949, 7:
“Royal Arch Manner s Lodge and Council of the Red Cross Knights of Babylon, St. Laurence, No. 328, was held in the Masonic Hall, Slamannan,”
Falkirk Local History Society 