Freemasonry instils in its members a moral and ethical approach to life: it seeks to reinforce thoughtfulness for others, kindness in the community, honesty in business, courtesy in society and fairness in all things. Members are urged to regard the interests of the family as paramount but, importantly, Freemasonry also teaches and practices concern for people, care for the less fortunate and help for those in need.
The Coming Together – Harlow Masonic Hall
It was a difficult property to sell because of the need to safeguard the interests of the surrounding residents in the neighbouring housing areas.
With a suitable financial advance, the purchase was agreed and the dwelling transferred to the ownership of the new Harlow Masonic Hall Company in 1970.
Considerable repairs and refurbishments were necessary to reinstate the property after some fire damage and redecorations and improvements were carried out together with a small extension to the meeting room, and Harlow Masonic Hall was officially opened in 1972 by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master for Essex, W.Bro. Frederick Leistikow.
Harlow Masonic Hall Today
Over the years since 1972 a number of new Lodges and other Masonic Orders have been established at Harlow and indeed a number of other Lodges from this part of Essex and North London have moved to the Centre, and it is today a very busy Masonic venue, housing some 48 Masonic Units. The total membership of the Harlow Masonic Hall now exceeds 1,700 members.
In 1970 it was agreed to establish the Harlow Masonic Hall Company, to be run as a Limited Company with shareholders and controlled by an elected Board of Directors. This has proved most successful over the years and the hall has gone from strength to strength under the guidance and enthusiasm of the members and the Board of Directors.
Today Harlow Masonic Hall is a well-established venue for Freemasonry in Essex and the membership who use the premises are well aware of just how fortunate they are to have such a fine home and will always be indebted to the few farsighted Masons who saw the Infants School as a potential Masonic Centre and negotiated the purchase.
