The Oxford Masonic Lodge – Oxford – June 2016

Derelict Places

Help Support Derelict Places:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

mockney reject

Veteran Member
Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 3, 2014
Messages
339
Reaction score
1,945

The History


The Oxford Centre has, since the middle of the last century, been the home of the Oxford lodge of the Freemasons and a commercial conference centre. Prior to this, the property, then known as Summerhill (sometimes with the suffix ‘Villa’) and dating originally to 1823, had been a single dwelling standing in generous landscaped gardens.

It was acquired and opened by the free masons in 1954.

In 1962 a new temple was dedicated on the 19th March.

In 1986 the Rathcreedan Temple was dedicated on the 1st of November

It was put on the market by the Oxfordshire Masonic Hall Company after it closed in September 2012, with eight members of staff being made redundant.

Its closure has been put down to the lack of conference trade, which had made it increasingly difficult to cover maintenance and operating costs.

The site is now to be turned into accommodation for d’Overbroeck’s College and work is well underway

The Explore

The one thing I have wanted to do since I got into exploring is a masonic lodge. You may ask why?

Well my late Dad was a Freemason, something he was very proud of. He was the secretary of his lodge and had also received honours from Grand Lodge in London. He not only wrote the 100 year history of his lodge, Rainham Lodge, but also helped raised thousands and thousands of pounds for charity. It’s not all about fucking a goat and funny handshakes although the media would love you to believe it was.

So the task was set, I felt I kinda owed it to my Dad to explore something from his secret society.

Pretty much weekly I search google for closed masonic lodges, I missed one in Frinton a while back, but if the rest of Frinton is anything to go by it would have been a shit hole.

Then a few months back this one came onto the radar, In fact a friend gave it a quick look to see what was going on and then I knew I had to go.

Out on the prowl with my regular sidekick @slayaaaa and in the area we decided to take a look. The outside was stunning and like something from Harry Potter. We eventually made out way in after a tricky climb only to find it stripped, Damn. No temple, No paraphernalia, No square and compasses nothing.

Well apart from the ornate ceiling and a nice staircase, so my quest carries on, One day I will find a furnished one.

As always enjoy the pics

DSC_2805_zpsycaccq9h.jpg

DSC_2802_zpsn2fldbaq.jpg

DSC_2810_zpsjwrdy4og.jpg

DSC_2812_zpslou196jl.jpg

DSC_2814_zpsbgmen7ip.jpg

DSC_2819_zpsu0ufrezb.jpg

DSC_2821_zpslshzixjj.jpg

DSC_2825_zpsy8zybnw2.jpg

DSC_2830_zps82mwmsqh.jpg

DSC_2837_zpsy61ryvit.jpg

DSC_2845_zpsqoucv47j.jpg

DSC_2851_zpsq1xgcfjx.jpg

DSC_2853_zpsb0xkzcot.jpg

DSC_2855_zps2sucpb2e.jpg

DSC_2858_zpsy1jnzymq.jpg

DSC_2861_zpsmhlkwxqk.jpg

DSC_2862_zpsy42mx2gp.jpg

DSC_2867_zpskkoie0b5.jpg

DSC_2875_zpseifvxjhz.jpg

DSC_2892_zps9d3zrw7t.jpg
 
Easy to see where the temple was....the clue's in the ceiling. At least the building is being renovated. Nice one.
 
Damn, I had heard this was being renovated now. The huge modern extension on the back was demolished at the start of the year.

Before demolition it had always been sealed and alarmed, I remember peering through the window longing to get to that staircase but never did!
 
Shame about the lack of goodies, but still an awesome find.
Cant wait to see the final transformation.
Thanks for sharing :)
 

Latest posts

Back
Top