Royal Arch (chapter)

Southern Star Chapter No.1158 was consecrated 27th April 1896, and is attached to Southern Star Lodge which was founded 29 years earlier in 1867.

The Chapter meets on the third Wednesday of March, MAY and second Thursday in November, at Mark Masons Hall, 86 St James Street, London SW1A 1PL at 5pm.

Unfortunately, most of the early Chapters records were lost in the Second World War, save the original bible presented and dedicated on the Consecration, the Charter, and the minute book commencing 1930.

With no records for many years one can only assume that the Chapter progressed happily and successfully down the years, and its meetings were obviously continuous and its recruitment constant, as it is the same size today as it was in 1896, if not a little larger.

The official petition for a Charter was signed by twelve companions, all of whom were Past Masters and members of the Southern Star Lodge, and who became the founding members and officers of the Chapter.

It is interesting to note that the first Companions to be invested as Officers of the Chapter came from a variety of Trades, their being two licensed victuallers, an Indian rubber goods salesman, four fish salesman, a detective inspector, an engineer, a manager of an omnibus association, a chemist, a dentist, and a cigar manufacturer.

The Chapter held its Centenary meeting on the 1st April 1996.

To mark the Centenary the Original Bible presented in 1896 at the consecration meeting, was rebound and refurbished and presented to the Central London Masonic Centre to be its official bible, which will be used on all important occasions.

Current Officers are:

E. Comp. S C. Baker, SLGCR, PZ MEZ
E. Comp. J V. Hough J PZ H
E. Comp. G P. S. Baker, LGR, J
E. Comp. R J. Linford, PZ Scribe E
Comp. D Nixon Scribe N
E. Comp. J. H. Smith, LGCR, PZ Treasurer
E. Comp. K J. Brown, LGCR, PZ Director of Ceremonies
E. Comp. J. H. Smith, LGCR, PZ Almoner
E. Comp. C. Brown, LGCR, PZ Charity Steward
Comp. D Buda, LGCR, PZ Principal Sojourner
Comp. P G. Meadows 1st Asst Sojourner
Comp. J G. Cox 2nd Asst. Sojourner
E. Comp. E W. Corderoy, LGCR, PZ Asst Director of Ceremonies
Comp. G L.Wilson Steward
Comp. A L. Davies Steward

E. Comp. T Bunning, LGCR, PZ Janitor
E. Comp. R J. Linford IPZ