A gilded square and compasses resting on deep blue velvet in a candlelit lodge room.

Province of Yorkshire, North & East Ridings

York Lodge No. 236

Our 250th Year — 2027

Meeting at the Masonic Hall, Duncombe Place, York

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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.

Enquire about joining See when we meet

The Lodge

Diary

Calendar of Events

Regular meetings, installations, rehearsals and social evenings for the current Masonic year.

Members only

Summonses

The formal notice of each meeting, with the agenda and the business to be transacted.

Members only

Membership List

Officers of the Lodge for the current year, and the roll of members.

New members

Application & Enquiries

Looking to be involved in Freemasonry and join York Lodge No. 236? Start here.

Get in touch

Contact the Secretary

Enquiries from Lodges, Brethren and the public.

Since 1777

Our history

The Lodge's historic emblem, bearing the names York Lodge 236 and Union 287.

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.

The Roll of Past Masters Famous Freemasons Our 250th Year

Duncombe Place

Where we meet

The Masonic Hall at Duncombe Place has been the home of Freemasonry in York for well over a century. Its principal Lodge room — with its chequered pavement, marbled columns and painted tracing boards — is among the finest in the north of England.

The principal Lodge room at Duncombe Place, York, looking east towards the Master's chair and pedestal across a black and white chequered pavement.
The Lodge room, looking east towards the Master’s chair, with the pedestal in front of it.
The Lodge room looking west towards the Senior Warden's chair and the grand organ, flanked by the two symbolic pillars.
The Lodge room, looking west towards the Senior Warden’s chair and the grand organ; either side stand the symbolic pillars, representing the two great pillars at the porchway of King Solomon’s Temple.
A framed tracing board depicting the winding staircase, flanked by two pillars, on a chequered pavement.
A framed Fellow Craft tracing board on a chequered pavement in the Lodge room.
A framed Master Mason tracing board on a chequered pavement in the Lodge room.
The Lodge room seen from the east end, sunlight falling across the chequered pavement towards the Master's chair.
The Lodge room, looking towards the Master’s chair.
The Lodge room seen from the west end, showing the grand organ and the honours boards listing past Worshipful Masters.
Looking west towards the organ, with the roll of Past Masters on the wall.
A brass door knocker cast in the form of the square and compasses.
The square and compasses, cast in brass.
A framed nineteenth-century hand-painted and gilded Masonic apron in the Lodge's collection.
A historic apron in the Lodge’s collection.
A heraldic ceremonial banner bearing a shield with a lion, bull and griffin.
One of the Lodge’s ceremonial banners.
A painted wooden panel reading 'The Grand Lodge of all England, founded by Prince Edwin AD 926', flanked by masonic emblems.
A painted panel recording the traditional founding of the Grand Lodge of all England.
A framed case of historic Grand Lodge regalia, including collars, an apron and a jewel, presented in memory of a former Chaplain of the Lodge.
Historic regalia in the Lodge’s collection.
A wall alcove with a statue of the Duke of Sussex, first Grand Master, surrounded by historic Masonic portraits and prints.
The Grand Master’s alcove, with historic portraits and prints.
The painted ceiling above the grand organ, lit by a skylight, with the words Prudence, Justice, Virtue, Unity, Fidelity and Honour inscribed on the entablature.
The painted ceiling and grand organ, with the moral virtues inscribed above.

What’s new

News

Announcements and updates from the Lodge — including news of our 250th anniversary celebrations.

Read the latest News

Our principles

Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth

Brotherly Love

Every Freemason is taught to show tolerance and respect for the opinions of others, and to behave with kindness and understanding.

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.

Application & enquiry form