Our history
Zetland
Lodge
511
Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest and largest non-religious, non-political, fraternal and charitable organisations.
Zetland Lodge actively supports Masonic charities and has also supported a number of non-masonic charities over the years
Delve into the rich traditions of Freemasonry as we gather to celebrate our shared values and principles
We meet at:
Freemasons’ Hall, 60 Great Queen Street, London WC2
The Kent Club for London Freemasons organises social events for Masons and their families.
Engage in enlightening discussions, partake in meaningful rituals, and forge lasting connections with fellow brethren
OVER 180 YEARS OF HISTORY
We celebrate our 180th anniversary on 9th July 2025 and we are looking forward to our bicentenary in 2045.
Will you join us and be part of that milestone?
Zetland Lodge 511 – A Brief History
Thomas Dundas, the Second Earl of Zetland, was installed as Grand Master on April 24th, 1844. Within a few years, several new Lodges were formed bearing his name, the first in Great Britain being Zetland No. 752, which was changed to No. 511 during the general re-numbering by Grand Lodge in 1863. At a meeting held on March 31st, 1845, it was resolved that a petition be forwarded to the Most Worshipful Grand Master, requesting a Warrant to hold a Lodge at Brother Thomas Hitchcock’s, the Gloucester Arms Tavern, Kensington, to be called the Zetland Lodge.
The Presiding Officer at Zetland’s Consecration was Doctor Robert Crucefix, who introduced the Rose Croix Degree to England from America in that same year. The sponsoring Lodge was St. Luke’s No. 168, named after St. Luke’s Church on the Thames side at Chelsea and consecrated in 1765. It was subsequently re-numbered No. 144. Unfortunately, the Church no longer exists, having suffered a direct hit in 1941 by a German Parachute bomb.
Fortunately, an oak beam was salvaged from the ruins, and from this wood Worshipful Brother George Nunn, Past Master of St. Luke’s, carved ceremonial batons. Two of these batons were presented to its daughter Lodges: Zetland and Haymarket. They are still in use today by our respective Directors of Ceremonies at Installation meetings.
The Zetland Heritage
Dundas Castle, constructed in 1818 near the River Forth close to Edinburgh, was established for Thomas, Lord Dundas of the Scottish Clan: Dundas of that Ilk. The shield of Scotland is central to the Zetland coat of arms, with Zetland being the historical name for the Shetland Islands.
The Zetland family has been associated with Freemasonry for nearly two centuries, predominantly from their seat at Aske Hall in Yorkshire. Thomas, the first Lord Dundas, served as Deputy Grand Master from 1813 to 1820. His son Lawrence, later known as the First Earl of Zetland, became Provincial Grand Master of Yorkshire in 1817, Deputy Grand Master in 1821 and 1824, and Pro Grand Master in 1834.
Thomas Dundas, the Second Earl of Zetland, was initiated into Prince of Wales Lodge No. 259 on 18th June 1830. He also held the position of Provincial Grand Master of Yorkshire in 1939 and was Grand Master from 1844 to 1870.
Yorkshire subsequently welcomed three more distinguished Provincial Grand Masters: Lawrence, the First Marquess of Zetland in 1874; Lawrence, the Second Marquess (and Earl of Ronaldshay) in 1923; and Lawrence, the Third Marquess in 1956 until he resigned and was succeeded by Iain Ross Bryce in 1984.
Given this heritage, it is unsurprising that over thirty Lodges and Chapters, both domestically and internationally, have been named after the Zetland family; although some no longer exist. Despite geographical distances, we are united by a common reverence for the significant contributions to Freemasonry made by our Zetland forebears.
Consecration of the Lodge in 1845
CONSECRATION OF THE ZETLAND LODGE, No. 752, July 9, at the Gloucester Arms, Kensington New Town. Another scion has been added to the Masonic tree, and the Mason congratulates himself on the goodly prospect. The circumstances attending this event very closely approximate, in the preliminary, as well as in the ceremonial arrangements, with those of the “United Lodge of Pilgrims.”
Dr. Crucefix having been respectfully invited to consecrate the Lodge, communicated the wishes of the Brethren to the Grand Master, and on the day appointed, conducted the solemn ceremonial, in the presence of a large concourse of Master Masons, and afterwards installed the W. Master, Bro. G. Remington, who appointed the various officers.
Bro. Crucefix having, as Treasurer of the Aged Masons’ Asylum, previously convened a general meeting of the Governors of that Institution, was compelled to retire on the completion of the installation, previous to which he addressed the Brethren on the important and auspicious transactions of the day; and, in return for his kind attention, received the general thanks of the Brethren present.
Three candidates were then, by the W. Master, initiated into Masonry. Bro. Hammett delivered the charge in a very impressive manner. After which the Lodge was closed in perfect harmony. The Brethren afterwards sat down to banquet and enjoyed the feast of reason and the flow of soul. Various sentiments were offered, and due Masonic compliments paid. In noticing the W. Brother who had consecrated the Lodge, it was remarked that, “the Brethren would cherish with peculiar pleasure the polite attention and Masonic regard shown by him who so impressively and effectively had that day been, under Providence, the means of bringing them to a new light, and that they gratefully and cordially wished him longevity and every earthly happiness.”
A Lodge of Instruction is appointed at the Adam and Eve, Kensington, on Tuesday evenings. Bro. Barron, P. M., the Secretary to the Zetland Lodge, has been indefatigable in his exertions.
From the Freemasons Quarterly Review & Magazine 1845
Who was Dr Robert Crucefix?
Robert Thomas Crucefix, M.D., was born in Holborn, England, in 1797. He received his education at Merchant Tailors’ School and later studied under Doctor Chamberlayne at Clerkenwell. He also attended Saint Bartholomew’s Hospital as a student of Abernathy.
Doctor Crucefix was initiated into Freemasonry in 1829 and held various positions within the Grand Lodge of England, including Junior Grand Deacon in 1836. He was involved in several subordinate Lodges, Chapters, and Encampments. He contributed significantly to Masonic charities in England and founded the Asylum for Aged and Decrepit Freemasons. In 1834, he established and edited the Freemasons Quarterly Review for six years, writing numerous articles.
Doctor Crucefix proposed a charity for Aged Freemasons, advocating for an asylum while others supported a system of annuities. This topic was debated extensively and led to a meeting on November 13, 1839. During this meeting, some language used was criticized, and Doctor Crucefix was suspended for six months for not addressing the speakers’ conduct. His suspension was upheld in June 1840, leading him to write a letter to the Grand Master, which he published with critical comments in the Freemasons’ Quarterly Review. The letter prompted further action by the Board of General Purposes, and Doctor Crucefix apologized at a Special Grand Lodge on October 30.
The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution (RMBI) for Aged Freemasons and Widows of Freemasons was established in 1842 as the Institution for Aged & Decrepit Freemasons. In 1850, the first home was inaugurated on Addiscombe Road, Croydon. For over a century, it served as the sole residence, referred to as the Asylum for Worthy, Aged, and Decayed Freemasons. In 1955, the facility was relocated to Harewood Court in Hove, Sussex.
Doctor Crucefix died in 1850, the same year the Asylum and Annuity Funds for Aged Freemasons and their Widows were merged.
Early Members
The first Worshipful Master of Zetland Lodge was Edward Hammett. He is mentioned in the consecration report above. The three new candidates he initiated were Henry Cooper, Henry Blackwell and William Henry Andrew. Since no other names are recorded in the UGLE Membership Register for 1845 we can assume the consecration meeting comprised the 15-founding member of our mother lodge St Luke’s 144 and other lodges. Some 40 new members were initiated over the next 15 years.
It’s only from 1862 that the addresses and professions of the new members were recorded in the membership register. Professions and trades mentioned over the next few years include Victualler, Gentleman, Baker, Coach Builder, Gas Inspector, Jeweller, Butcher, Baker, Builder, Dairyman, Guilder, Hatter, Silversmith, Engineer and Tailor. Addresses include Regent Street, Park Lane, Kensington Crescent, Grosvenor Mews, Portland Place, Upper Belgrave Place, Earls Court, Battersea, Kilburn, Notting Hill, Chelsea, Piccadilly, Soho, Kentish Town and Hampstead.
Early Meeting Places
Gloucester Arms Tavern, Grosvenor Road, Kensington, London 1845
Adam and Eve Tavern, Kensington Road, Kensington, London 1849
King’s Arms Hotel, High Street, London 1859
Campden Arms Tavern, Campden Street, London 1862
Anderton’s Hotel, Fleet Street, London 1868
Our Centenary in 1945
A booklet was published to commemorate the lodge centenary in 1945. Here is the foreword from that booklet.
Future historians may well chronicle the year 1945, as the most vital and important in our country’s long history, for they will record complete victory over Germany and Japan in the Second World War.
To the Brethren of the Zetland Lodge this year will also be remembered by reason that the Lodge attained its Centenary on the 9th of July, and the Most Worshipful Grand Master, the Earl of Harewood, K.G., C.C.V.O., and D.S.O was graciously pleased to sanction the issue of our Centenary Warrant on the 10th July last. This happy event will be celebrated on Installation night, the 7th of November, at Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen Street, London.
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