History of Saltley College Lodge
The following was first published in 1981 on the occasion of the Lodge's golden Jubilee
SALTLEY COLLEGE LODGE No. 5319 1931 - 1981
SALTLEY COLLEGE LODGE was consecrated here, at Freemasons' Hall, Great Queen
Street, in the GRAND TEMPLE, on Friday 18th December 1931, by the Grand
Secretary, Sir Colville Smith, although these beautiful buildings were not
officially opened until 19th July, 1933 (by the Grand Master, the Duke of
Connaught).
We hope to celebrate our Golden Jubilee meeting here on 12th December, 1981.
For the first few years of our existence we met and dined at the Restaurant
at Cannon Street Hotel, and I have very happy memories of our functions
there. Due to bombing we had to leave, our last meeting being on 6th April,
1940.
Our founders had very wisely qualified us as a Hall Stone Jewel Lodge, so
it was very natural for us to seek a home at F.M. Hall, Great Queen Street,
where we were readily welcomed. Our first regular meeting here was on 24th
May, 1941. We have met here ever since. (40 years).
I would strongly recommend our newer brethren to study the history of F.M.
Hall, to see the Grand Temple and the Peace Memorial Window, with the shrine
beneath it, and above all to realise that the whole is a memorial to the
brethren killed in the war. We welcome the fact that the Hall Stone Jewel
Collarette, passed on to our new Master each year, and worn by him at all
masonic occasions, is the same that was worn by our first W.M. W. Bro. Chas.
Pointer, 50 years ago.
You may well ask, "How did the Lodge begin, why is it called Saltley
College Lodge?1 etc., etc.
Our name, badge, motto etc., come from St. Peter's College, Saltley, Birmingham.....known
to all members as Saltley College...A Church of England Teachers' Training
College, opened in 1850, and closed for teacher training in 1978.
