top of page

HISTORY OF LODGE REGINALD SPENCE No.109 GLI

(Constituted as Lodge Reginald Spence No.5514 EC)


Founded: 10.11.1934. Consecrated: 12.01.1935

The earliest thought of forming a new lodge was mooted by W.Bro. A.C.Nanji in February 1934. The rapid expansion of Lodge Cyrus No.1359 EC made the need very acutely felt.

W.Bro. Nanji and a few other brethren approached the then Rt.W. the District Grand Master, Rt.W.Bro.Sir Reginald Spence, Kt explaining in details the need for a new cosmopolitan lodge. Without hesitation the Rt.W. the District the Grand Master gave his unqualified consent for its formation. The same brethren also obtained his sanction to name the lodge after him and this was the beginning of Lodge Reginald Spence No.5514 EC. The intention to found the new lodge was publicly announced at the installation meeting of Lodge Cyrus No.1359 EC on Monday, February 26,1934.

Very soon 30 master masons agreed to be the founders. However disappointment was here met with, for under the English Constitution only masons of a standing of three years and above are eligible to be founders of a lodge. Their numbers were reduced to ten. The setback so suffered did not discourage them but on the contrary intensified their efforts, and after a few months it was possible to hold a primary meeting of the founders, now increased to 34, on July 22,1934.

On Tuesday, August 7,1934 Lodge Aryan No.1709 EC recommended the petition for a Warrant, which after the recommendation of the Rt.W. the District Grand Master, Rt.W.Bro. William Arthur Charles Bromham had been obtained, was sent to the Grand Secretary, the Grand Lodge of England, with a covering letter on August 22,1934. It was on November 10,1934 that the good news regarding the Warrant having been granted, was communicated to the District Grand Secretary for the information of the founders, by a cablegram from the Grand Secretary, England.

Lodge Reginald Spence No.5144 EC was consecrated in a very solemn and dignified manner on Saturday, January 12,1935 by the then Rt.W. the District Grand Master assisted by the District Grand Officers.

W.Bro. Khan Bahadur Palanji Davar P.A.G.Reg.(EC), P.D.G.W.(Eng) acted as the Director of Ceremonies and W.Bro. Sohrab Davar P.A.G.Reg(EC), P.D.G.W(Bom) delivered the oration. W.Bro. J.J. Watson D.G.D.of C mustered together a number of worthy brethren to form the choir with Bro. Mulvaney officiated at the organ during the consecration ceremony. Bro J.P.C. Shroff was nominated in the charter as the first W.Master Designate of Lodge Reginald Spence No.5514 EC. At the conclusion of the consecration ceremony W. the Deputy District Grand Master of Bombay, W.Bro. Robert Hugh Middleton installed Bro. Jamshed Pestonji Cowasji Shroff to the Chair of King Solomon in a most befitting manner in accordance with the ancient rites and customs. Later on, Lodge Reginald Spence opted to join the Indian Constitution and became Lodge Reginald Spence No 109 on the Rolls of the Grand Lodge of Antient Free and Accepted Masons of India.

bottom of page