Lodge of Benevolence 489 is a thriving lodge of Freemasons. We currently have over 80 members, drawn from many professions and varied backgrounds. We have a busy social schedule of events, and have supported many local and national charities for the last 180 years.
A Brief History of the Lodge
In 1843 the fourth lodge called ‘Benevolence’ was formed. Early members of the lodge included the town clerk and the local mayor TB Chanter.
It’s original home was in the commercial reading room, (an early forerunner of the town library). It moved from there to the Newfoundland Hotel (now Mr Chips) thence to 9 Grenville street (now the Cafe Collective). From these premises the lodge moved to a hall in Bridgeland Street and finally secured its own rooms in October 1875 in the present day Masonic Hall located in the same street. This was site was also once the home of Thomas Stucley, a noted adventurer and eccentric. We are now located at 12 Bridgeland Street, directly opposite the Conservative Club.
For an in depth review of our 180 year history, we would recommend “A History of Freemansonry in Bideford” complied by Peter Darby.
