Brotherly Love
Every Freemason is taught to show tolerance and respect for the opinions of others, and to behave with kindness and understanding.
Welcome
A Lodge of Freemasons in the city of York
York Lodge No. 236 is a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons working under the United Grand Lodge of England, in the Province of Yorkshire, North and East Ridings. We meet at the Masonic Hall on Duncombe Place, in the shadow of York Minster.
Freemasonry is one of the oldest social and charitable organisations in the world. Its roots lie in the traditions of the medieval stonemasons who built the cathedrals and abbeys of Europe — York among them. Members are drawn from every walk of life, and are united by a shared belief that a person should strive to be a better version of themselves: honest with others, charitable where they can be, and loyal to family, friends and community.
Our Lodge combines the formality of a ceremony largely unchanged for centuries with the warmth of a supper table afterwards. New members are always welcome, and no prior connection to Freemasonry is needed.
The Lodge
Members & visitors
Calendar of Events
Regular meetings, installations, rehearsals and social evenings for the current Masonic year.
Summonses
The formal notice of each meeting, with the agenda and the business to be transacted.
Membership List
Officers of the Lodge for the current year, and the roll of members.
Application & Enquiries
Looking to be involved in Freemasonry and join York Lodge No. 236? Start here.
Contact the Secretary
Enquiries from Lodges, Brethren and the public.
Since 1777
Our history
Our Warrant is dated 7th July 1777, issued by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Yorkshire, and is signed by Sir Thomas Tancred Bart, who was the Provincial Grand Master ‘for the County of York’.
The Lodge was originally established under the name of Union Lodge, with the first meeting being held at 9.00pm at Lockwood’s Coffee House on Briggate in York. The name of the Lodge was later changed to York Lodge in February 1870.
In 2027, the Lodge celebrates its 250th anniversary.
Duncombe Place
Where we meet
The Masonic Hall at Duncombe Place was purposely built for York Masons to have a permanent home.
The building itself was designed by the architect and member of York Lodge, Bro. John Edwin Oates. The foundation stone was laid by the Worshipful Master of the time, W Bro. William Lawton, on 8th September 1862 in the North East Corner. Into it were placed the Book of Constitutions, York newspapers, lodge by-laws, coins of the realm and a list of the members. The interior was designed by London architect and Mason J. Barton Wilson.
Our principal Lodge room, with its chequered pavement, marbled columns and tracing boards painted by artist Bro. Thomas Edward Newnum in 1851, is among the finest in the north of England.
Attendance at the time was such that the building required extending in 1866. It is now Grade II listed and managed by the Duncombe Place Masonic Hall Charitable Trust.
Behind the Master’s Chair in the East is the magnificent Union Lodge Banner, dating from 1855, which celebrates the old and new Masonic orders coming together and York’s ancient prominence in English Freemasonry (read its history). The hall is home to another Masonic banner, that of the Grand Lodge of All England, which is the oldest Masonic banner in the country.
Some would consider Duncombe Place Masonic Hall to be a physical representation of what can be achieved when brothers work together.
What’s new
News
Announcements and updates from the Lodge — including news of our 250th anniversary celebrations.
Our principles
Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth
Relief
Freemasons are taught to practise charity and to care for their own, for their families and, above all, for the wider community.
Truth
Freemasons strive for truth, requiring high moral standards and aiming to achieve them in their own lives.
Contact
Enquiries
Whether you are a prospective member, a Brother wishing to visit, or simply curious about what Freemasonry is, the Lodge Secretary will be glad to hear from you.