For many freemasons, Masonry ends with Craft and Chapter, but this need not be the case as there are many Masonic Degrees which are open to those who wish to expand their interests. This includes the Mark Degree which is the third largest order in Freemasonry. The Mark Degree is a separate entity with its own Grand Lodge which was founded on the 23^rd June 1856. The Essex Province was founded on 26^th May 1899 and has 47 Lodges and around 1200 members.

To become a Mark Mason you need to be a Master Mason (Craft) and undertake a single ceremony called an Advancement. The Chair of a Lodge of Mark Master Masons is open to all of its members and it is not a prerequisite that you have been through the Chair of a Craft Lodge. As with Craft Masonry, Provincial and Grand Lodge Honours of various similar ranks, are awarded to Past Masters and other brethren who have given notable service to their Lodge or to the Province.

The current Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons is HRH Prince Michael of Kent KCVO and the Provincial Grand Master of Essex is R.W.Bro.J.Alan Wright.

The Mark Degree is one of hope and encouragement and the ritual is built around a single verse from Psalm 118: "The Work which the builders rejected has become the headstone of the corner". It deals with the building of King Solomon's Temple and the various Craftsmen employed, but its real message is the contemplation of human strength and weakness.

3rd Monday
MAY, Nov, Feb.

The Consecration meeting was held at The Saracens Head Hotel, Dunmow but 12 years later it transferred it’s meetings to Braintree holding one meeting at the White Hart Hotel before taking up residence in the Masonic Hall, New Street. Finally it moved in 1934 to the Howard Hall, Bocking End.

On 23^rd May 2000 the Lodge held it’s Centenary meeting which was attended by 125 Mark Masons from Essex and 5 other Provinces. The Lodge currently has 48 members which makes it one of the largest in Essex.

A booklet giving the full history of the lodge from 1900 to 2000 entitled "One Hundred Years of Marking Well" is available for a donation to charity.

For more information about Dunmow Mark Lodge, please contact the Secretary of the Howard Hall Management Committee: -

W.Bro. Andrew McLeod
01376 321151 (Work) or 01787 473216 (home)

e-mail: mcleodwrightsurvey@btinternet.com