The Sanctuary Lodge History
In 1931 it was decided, by a group of influential Masons in Torquay, to form a Masonic Lodge away from the hustle and bustle of their business activities.
Ian Kelway, a local postmaster and garage owner here in Moretonhampstead was recruited to join them as a founder member as he had already become a Mason at an early age in Somerset.
Twelve founder members in all leased the building from a brewery company who had used the building for storage. Some of these members were influential people in Torquay – one was the owner of the Grand Hotel, another the Mayor of Torquay and another the Commodore of the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club.
Work was carried out on the building and in 1932 the lodge was consecrated. In the early fifties the freehold of the building was purchased for a sum approaching £2000.
The Lodge Temple, as you see it today, is the same as it was in 1932, completely untouched, apart from an emergency lighting system. In fact the ceiling has never been decorated. On the ceiling you can see the wonderful hand carved wooden bosses which were carved by the chief wood carver of Exeter Cathedral, a Mason who donated them to the lodge. At the end of the Lodge, beside the Master’s chair, are the lovely Sheffield plate candlesticks which were given by an antique dealer member.
All the furnishings were donated by members and some by their wives. When you look around the lodge you will notice that each piece of furniture has a little silver plate attached with their names, they also are security marked for retrieval and justice should they ever go missing!
Our records tell us that on that Consecration Day in 1932 many members arrived by train from the Torre Station in Torquay to the Moreton Station just down the road and then, after the ceremony, on to the Two Bridges Hotel near Princetown for a banquet by char-a-banc. Sadly, the station is no more, but did go back to the Two Bridges Hotel to celebrate our fifty years.
Founder Members 1932
| Worshipful Master | W.Bro. W. Denis Thomas |
| Immediate Past Master | W.Bro. A.C. Blackmore |
| Senior Warden | W.Bro. W. Coysh |
| Junior Warden | Bro. Rev. M.H. Needham |
| Treasurer | Bro. S.H. Jefferd |
| Secretary | W.Bro H.J. Powell |
| Director of Ceremonies | W.Bro F.W. Phillimore |
| Almoner | Bro. J.C. Dommett |
| Senior Deacon | Bro. E.N. Reynolds |
| Junior Deacon | Bro. C. Thomas |
| Asst. Director of Ceremonies | Bro. S.B. Higgott |
| Inner Guard | Bro. W.J.S. Kelway |
| Wine Steward | Bro. R.R. Child |
This piece was put togeather by W.Bro J.Burridge (2nd December 2010) after reading a document written in 1951 by W.Bro R.G.Rowe.