About the Lodge | Lodge of Harmony No. 255

The Lodge Today

Lodge of Harmony No. 255 is a Craft Lodge registered under the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), operating within the Province of Middlesex. We have met continuously since our founding in 1785, making us the oldest lodge in the Province of Middlesex. Lodge numbers are not an indication of a lodge’s age; numbers have been swapped, sold, bought, and transferred over the years.

Our members come from a wide range of professional and personal backgrounds. What unites us is a shared commitment to the Masonic values of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth — and an enjoyment of the fellowship that Freemasonry offers.

The lodge motto — Semper Idem, meaning "Always the Same" — speaks to the continuity of purpose and principle that has sustained this lodge through more than two centuries of change in the world around it.

Among our historical distinctions, we note that a member of the lodge held the record of 69 years of continuous membership — a remarkable testament to the loyalty our lodge inspires.

Years — longest recorded continuous membership in the lodge

Quick Facts

Warrant dated	2 June 1785
Lodge number	255
Province	Middlesex
Governing body	UGLE
Motto	Semper Idem
Symbol	The Lyre
Meetings per year	4 (+ LOIs)

Lodge numbers are not an indication of a lodge’s age; numbers have been swapped, sold, bought, and transferred over the years.

Royal Patronage & Provincial Context

Grand Master of UGLE

The United Grand Lodge of England is led by HRH The Duke of Kent, who has served as Grand Master for more than 50 years — the longest-serving Grand Master in the history of English Freemasonry.

Province of Middlesex

The Province of Middlesex is headed by HRH Prince Michael of Kent, making Middlesex the only Province in England and Wales to be led by a Prince of the Royal Blood. Historically, HRH The Duke of York — later King George VI — held this position until his accession to the throne in 1937.

Charitable Work

Lodge of Harmony No. 255 participates in charitable fundraising at local, national, and international levels. Freemasonry in England and Wales is one of the country's largest charitable givers.

The Masonic Charitable Foundation (formerly the Grand Charity) distributes in the region of £33 million annually, of which approximately one third goes to non-Masonic charities — supporting medical research, hospices, and community causes across the country.

At a local level, the lodge has supported activities including garden fêtes, Christmas events for elderly residents, and other community initiatives in the Twickenham area.

Charitable rescue services — Freemasonry supports causes like the RNLI

Social Activities

Freemasonry at Lodge of Harmony is not limited to formal lodge meetings. The lodge hosts and participates in a variety of social events throughout the year, providing members and their families with opportunities to build friendships outside the lodge room.

Historical social activities have included:

Formal dinners (held after each lodge meeting)
Garden fêtes
Car rallies
Christmas events for elderly residents in the community

The dinner after each lodge meeting is a central part of the lodge's social life — a relaxed occasion where members, guests, and visitors can enjoy conversation and fellowship.

Chapter of Iris No. 255

Alongside the Craft Lodge, there is an associated Royal Arch Chapter: Chapter of Iris No. 255. The Royal Arch is the completion of the third degree and is open to Master Masons.

The Chapter of Iris was founded in May 1807 at The Toy Inn, Hampton Court — just 22 years after the founding of the Craft Lodge. It is the oldest Royal Arch Chapter in the Province of Middlesex.

Although the Chapter has been in existence since 1807, it only formally joined the Province of Middlesex on 29 April 1971, having previously operated under different jurisdictional arrangements.

Chapter of Iris No. 255

Founded: May 1807

Founding location: The Toy Inn, Hampton Court

Status: Oldest Royal Arch Chapter in the Province of Middlesex