OUR HISTORY
The
date of The Sunderland Lodge’s warrant is 11th May 1920 and the Lodge was
consecrated on 21st July 1920.
There
have been nearly 300 members since 1920 and the current membership is 30+.
We do need, however, to slightly increase our membership
(See
the "Visitors" Page for details of how to apply for membership).
The
Lodge crest is the coat of arms of the old town and port of Sunderland with the
Latin motto “Nil Desperandum Auspice Deo - Don’t despair, in God we
trust”. The symbols on the coat of arms are a globe and a sextant relating to
Sunderland’s historical links with the sea.
We
are one of over 200 lodges currently operating in the Province of Durham in the
northeast of England.
THE
CITY OF SUNDERLAND
Sunderland is one of the newest cities in the British Isles and is at the mouth of the River Wear in the northeast of England.
It has a history of
glassmaking,
coal mining and shipbuilding, but now is a car building city as well as many
other small industries.
On
approaching Sunderland from the west the first landmark observed is usually the
hill on which stands Penshaw Monument (pictured right), a memorial to John
George Lambton, afterwards the 1st Earl of Durham, who was Provincial Grand
Master from 1818 to 1840.
The
coastal beach areas of Sunderland are called Roker and Seaburn - golden sands,
but often cool! Certainly worth a
visit.
Sunderland
hosts an International Kite Festival every July and an International Airshow
every August. Both events attract
large crowds and are free to spectators!
Sunderland
is the home of the National Glass Centre opened in 1998 by H.R.H. The Prince of
Wales. The Glass Centre is on the riverside in an area currently being developed
following the closure of the shipyards.
A
modern marina has recently been completed near the mouth of the River Wear and
the modern sculptures around the marina are certainly worth seeing.
Some of the sculptures are really unusual and extremely interesting,
especially for children.
Sunderland
is also the home of Sunderland Association Football Club (S.A.F.C.) The club was
promoted from the First Division in April 1999, however was sadly relegated to
the First Division in May 2003.
The
club's new stadium, the Stadium of Light was opened in 1997 and dominates the
skyline of the city. The stadium is on the north side of the river, a short walk
from the city centre. A large miners lamp, designed by a Sunderland Lodge
member, stands outside the stadium.
One
of Sunderland’s most famous sons was Benedict Biscop (628-690), founder of two
monasteries and the British patron saint of learning. He founded a monastery in
674 at Wearmouth (the original Sunderland), at the mouth of the River Wear and
dedicated it to St. Peter. Benedict Biscop hired craftsmen from France to
construct a church made of stone with a lead roof and glass windows, the first
of its kind in England.
Other
famous Sunderland men are Dr. W. R. Clanney (1777-1850) inventor of a miners’
safety lamp, Jack Crawford (1775-1831) the hero of the Battle of Camperdown, Sir
Henry Havelock (1795-1857) hero of the Indian Mutiny, Sir Joseph Wilson Swan
(1828-1914) inventor of the first practical incandescent light bulb and Sir William Mills,
inventor of the hand grenade (or Mills Bomb).
In nearby Washington Village visitors will find Washington Hall the ancestral home of George Washington the first President of the United States of America.
Naturally this is a favourite with our transatlantic
brethren.
In
the grounds is a cherry tree planted by Jimmy Carter during a visit he made as
President of the United States of America.
Every 4th July the Stars and Stripes is flown at Washington Hall (pictured below).
More photographs of the City of Sunderland can be accessed from our "Links" page.
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This page was last updated on
24 May, 2003
© The Sunderland Lodge No. 4114
Approved by the United Grand Lodge of England