History


	*St JOHN the BAPTIST Lodge No. 39, History*


	*Research from the book of The history of St JOHN the BAPTIST Lodge, Dated 21st December 1894 by W. Bro Andrew Hope*


		*Many Thanks to W.Bro M.R for his work on the modern history of the Lodge & W.Bro J.E.V for recent history too*

			*The Beginning ( or was it ! )*

	*By the early 1730s Exeter was becoming a prosperous City, The canal had been widened in 1714, trade was increasing and ships were now arriving from Holland. Portugal, Spain, Italy.*

	*In 1732 George the Second was on the Throne, George Washington was born and Witchcraft laws wouldn’t be abolished for another 4 Years*

Several Brethren residing in & about the City of Exeter, Petitioned the then relatively new Grand Lodge of England (Formed in 1717) for permission to constitute into a regular Lodge. A deputation was duly granted, by the then Grand Master, Anthony, Lord Viscount Montaque, dated 11th July 1732 & signed by the Grand Secretary Will Reid, the Duputy Grand Master Thomas Batson & the two Grand Wardens, Geo. Rooke & Ja. Smythe.




	*A true plan of the City of Excester Anno Domini MDCCIX. ( EXETER in 1709 )*

The Minute Books

In the first & second World War; The Grand Lodge of London, sent out a communication to all the provinces & lodges of the time, to go and hide the lodge minute books, the roll of members, Because of a possible German invasion and Hitler moving forward in Europe, The Kingdom of Great Britain started to get it self-ready for a possible invasion, The Lodge secretaries took the lists & books home to hid them in gardens, sheds & attics. With the bombing of our cities; we lost some of the minute books to the burning embers of our homes.


		*Centenary Warrant and Special Centenary Jewel Granted 9th May 1864*

*Bi-Centenary Bar authorised 7th may 1937*

	*Bi-Centenary warrent issued 7th February 1940*


	*Tercentenary 300 Years... Soon*


	Exeter Local History Society, has a Article


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