We are a dynamic and progressive Lodge with a good cross section of Members of all ages and backgrounds. Bowen lodge Practices a Documented variation to M M Taylors Ritual. Taylors is renowned as being highly disciplined and precise. Bowen members then pride themselves on taking that principle just a little further, making our ceremonies quite unique.
Bowen Lodge 2816 was consecrated on the 7th July 1900 at the Town Hall in Chesham by Lord Addington, the then Provincial Grand Master of Buckinghamshire following authorisation from the United Grand Lodge of England. The 21 founders of the lodge were largely from the London area, only three being local to the Chesham area. The Lodge was named after Mr John Evan Bowen who was the first Provincial Secretary of Buckinghamshire, when established as an independent Province in 1890. Prior to this, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire were a united province. The first record of a lodge in the combined Provinces of Buckinghamshire and Berkshire dates back to 1725 although it is not until 1813 when the first lodge was recorded physically within Buckinghamshire. The two Provinces were then separately established in 1890 by order of the Grand Master (the then Prince of Wales). Mr Bowen was at this time appointed as the Provincial Secretary and in 1898 was appointed as Provincial Grand Master. As Chesham was easy to get to from London by the Metropolitan Railway, many of the members being employed by the same, the lodge enjoyed a unique travel privilege, as was pointed out to them on the summons they would receive;
“By courtesy of the Metropolitan Railway Company to meet the convenience of the Brethren, arrangements have been made whereby a special train will leave Baker Street for Chesham at 2:37pm calling at Brondesbury and Willesden Green on which compartments have been reserved. It is expected that Brethren will avail themselves of this train. Return from Chesham 9:00pm, 10:19pm and 10:57pm.”
The lodge continued to meet in Chesham for many years, after which meetings were held in Denham, Slough, Marlow and Gerrards Cross. In 1985 the lodge moved to its current home, The Beaconsfield Masonic Centre. In 1930 the Lodge was awarded the Hall Stone Jewel in recognition of the substantial donations made by the Lodge towards the costs of Freemason’s Hall in London. Established as a memorial to the Brethren who made the Supreme Sacrifice, in the Great War. The Hall Stone Jewel was not awarded lightly, Lodges contributing an average of ten guineas per member in order to receive one.
