Royal Arch Masonry Returns to Penge
Tony Shepherd writes…
On 3rd February 2025, St Michael’s Chapter No 221 held an exceptional and auspicious convocation at the South East London Masonic Centre, SE20; when Royal Arch Masonry returned to the Centre with a high quality meeting which featured an excellent double Exaltation ceremony.
Metropolitan Grand Inspector E Comp Robert Lakic was the Guest of Honour, escorted by E Comp Christopher Sullivan, Metropolitan Grand Steward, who was supported by fellow Metropolitan Grand Stewards E Comps Frank Marke and Shaun White. The other 60 companions in attendance were joined by two current Inspectors E Comps Tony Shepherd and Simon Bennett, and former Inspector E Comp Jeremy Beech.
London boasts many wonderful Masonic halls, centres and meeting places within the centre of the capital, but it likewise possesses many valuable and similar resources outside of TfL zones 1-3, and these gathering places such as the Halls and Centres at Chingford, Southgate, Croydon, Harrow and Ealing enable many Brethren and Companions the opportunity of enjoying their Masonry closer to home. All of these Halls and Centres have a thriving Craft and Royal Arch presence, but in late 2023, Alan Taunton, a MAGI Craft (RA) within the Simon Bennett Inspectorate learned that there was no longer a RA presence at the Penge Centre, and he established a ‘steering group’ of experienced Royal Arch Masons to change this. Both Kent and London Craft Lodges meeting there were approached; and over 20 Companions indicated that they would be interested in joining a centre-wide Chapter. Aware that St Michael’s Chapter No 211 was actively exploring a strategy for its future, conversations were had and a plan hatched and agreed, and the ‘steering group’ became Joining Members; with the future of the Chapter secured and Royal Arch Masonry returning to London SE20 with ‘fervency and zeal’, thanks to the dedication of just a handful of passionate Companions.
Nestling in the residential communities of Crystal Palace, Annerley, Penge and Beckenham, the SE London Masonic Centre is easily accessible from central London via the many different train stations close by. If the vibrancy of this first repurposed convocation of St Michael’s Chapter was anything to go by, a warm welcome and a captivating and entertaining time awaits any companion who fancies the experience – I’ll certainly be going back!
This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 57 Spring 2025 edition.
Arena Magazine is the official magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.
Read more articles in the Arena Issue 57 here.