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Fellowship Lodge No 2535, a Hall Stone Lodge consecrated in 1894, has recently undergone a significant transformation, one ensuring its continued place in the life of London Freemasonry.

A year ago, the Lodge faced the prospect of closure. It had experienced a decline in membership and attendance, with meetings barely reaching a quorum. After 130 years of activity, at the meeting held on 11th March 2024, the Members were due to vote to close the Lodge.

However, what followed was a turning point.

The Metropolitan Special Interest Lodges and Chapters team attended the meeting and delivered a presentation outlining a different path, not on winding down, but on repurposing the Lodge with a new focus. The team, which has already helped over 60 Lodges and Chapters across London to explore new identities and revitalise their membership, proposed that Fellowship Lodge be repurposed as a Lodge for West African District Grand Masters.

This vision offered a way to retain the Lodge’s legacy while connecting it with a clear and vibrant future role within the wider Masonic community. The Brethren were persuaded and readily embraced the new direction. It was fully realised on Saturday, 3rd May 2025, when the Lodge held its first meeting in its new form at Freemasons’ Hall.

RW Bro Dr. Moses Taiga was installed as the first Master of the repurposed Lodge by the Past Pro Grand Master, MW Bro Peter Geoffrey Lowndes, a fitting start to the next chapter in the Lodge’s life. That moment signified more than a successful reorganisation; it illustrates the value of proactive support and forward-thinking in the Craft.

The role played by the Special Interest Lodges and Chapters Team was central to the outcome. Their support, now available to all, is part of a broader initiative to help Lodges encountering similar challenges to explore sustainable and meaningful new identities, ensuring that Masonic history and fellowship are preserved. The transformation of Fellowship Lodge No 2535 shows how Lodges can adapt constructively to changing times. With strong leadership and a clear sense of purpose, the Lodge now looks to the future with renewed relevance and focus, continuing a legacy that began over 130 years ago.

To explore the options available for your Lodge, please contact Mark Pegg, Assistant Director on the Metropolitan Events team, at markpegg.met@gmail.com.

This article is part of the Arena Magazine Issue 58 – Summer 2025 edition.
Arena Magazine is the official online magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.

Read more articles in Arena Issue 58 here.

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