On Saturday 13th July 2002, Rathcreedan Lodge No. 8690, from the Province of Oxfordshire, hosted a visit from Officers of the Centennial Lodge No. 84 from Denver Colorado.
A group of twenty American Masons, together with their partners travelled to England to start a week long - "whistle-stop" tour of the UK.
They greatly enjoyed a trip to Great Queen Street to see the "home" of FreeMasonry in England and then travelled the short distance from London to Oxford to attend our Lodge meeting.
The meeting was moved from Banbury, the home town of Rathcreedan Lodge, to the Provincial Headquarters in Oxford, and nearly 180 Brethren ( representing over 50 different Craft Lodges ) packed into the main Temple to witness a demonstration of the Colorado First Degree ceremony carried out by members of the Centennial Lodge.
Rathcreedan Lodge was delighted to welcome, as an honoured guest, R.W. Bro Alan J. Englefield, Provincial Grand Master of Oxfordshire, together with the Deputy Provincial Grand Master and the Assistant Provincial Grand Master.
Our Lodge was also honoured by the presence of V.W. Bro Robert A. Morrow, Grand Secretary of the United Grand Lodge of England
All who witnessed this unique event were delighted to see the spectacle and hear ritual which contained many familiar words and phrases.
The ceremony contained some lengthy lectures and many Oxfordshire Brethren sat and listened in awe at the faultless delivery of these interesting passages.
Following the work in the Temple, a Festive Board was held and many new friendships were forged amongst the Brethren.
All the Brethren who attended the Festive Board were given a beautifully printed "Souvenir Programme" in full colour, which contained the history of Rathcreedan and Centennial Lodge, together with the Officer lines and photographs.
Those dining were also given a Rathcreedan Lodge metal enamelled lapel Pin as a keepsake.
This demonstration by a Lodge of American Freemasons is the first to occur in the Province of Oxfordshire and all who attended the meeting expressed their pleasure at being present at such a wonderful Masonic occasion.
Plans for a reciprocal visit to take place in 2004 are already being laid and members of Rathcreedan Lodge are looking forward to meeting their new-found friends again - this time in Denver, Colorado.
On Sunday evening (14th July) Rathcreedan Lodge again entertained our American visitors, this time at our Banbury Masonic Centre, and we were able to meet the partners of our American Brothers.
A Buffet was provided and the Banbury Temple was opened for our guests to inspect.
Our American friends left us after too brief a visit and made their way to York and then onward to Edinburgh when they looked forward to a visit to Roslyn Chapel and a reception planned to be held for them by the Grand Lodge of Scotland.
Thanks go to the hardworking Committee Members from Rathcreedan Lodge for making the event so memorable.
Chris Gold Secretary Rathcreedan Lodge 2002 ©
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