ABOUT LODGE PROTEA

The Order of Women Freemasons (established originally in 1908) continued to grow and spread throughout the United Kingdom before reaching the commonwealth countries abroad. In 1982, the Grand Master Most Worshipful Brother, Frances Hall and the Assistant Grand Master, Doris Hoadley, visited South Africa with the Grand Registrar, Lilian Chapman. On 25 September of that year, Lodge Protea no. 337 was consecrated at The Richardo Mulder Hall in Edenvale. It had an astounding 110 founder members from England, Zimbabwe and South Africa and over 56 members were present at the consecration.

The consecration of the Lodge was put into motion by W Bro. Kitty Harris, who had been initiated in the UK and missed Freemasonry after moving to South Africa. After making enquiries with the Grand Lodge, she discovered that there were Brethren from England, Europe and Zimbabwe residing in and around Johannesburg who may be interested in forming a lodge.

After receiving strong support from Grand Lodge, through W Bro. Brenda Fleming-Taylor (who would later go on to become Grand Master), W Bro. Harris, together with Eileen Nicholls (from Zimbabwe), Celia Young (another UK initiate) and Sue Thönell (a Zimbabwe initiate) went about planning the two new lodges; Johannesburg based Lodge Protea and Durban based Lodge Flame Lily.

The four, through socials and donations, managed to raise sufficient funds to buy the regalia, working tools, tracing boards etc in time for the consecration. The Lodge’s kneeling stool, cushions, banner, collection bags and Bible cushion were all made by Bro. Thönell and Flame Lily’s W Bro. E Nicholls and are still in use today. W Bro. Nicholls and Bros. C. Young and S. Thönell, all later held the position of Grand Inspector of South Africa.

In order to grow the Lodge, meetings were held on both Saturdays and Sundays.

At the very first regular meeting (held on 13 November 1982), a staggering 4 candidates were initiated, one of whom was Mrs Catherine Pauline Pienaar (known to us as VW Bro. C. Patton, current Grand Inspector of South Africa). During this growth phase, 12 candidates were initiated, 9 passed and 7 raised in just 13 meetings. Bro. G. Milburn, (now W Bro. G. Milburn) can be found among the visitors in these early years.

After just two years, the Lodge was temporarily closed. It reopened in 1991. The new Grand Master, MW Bro. B. I. Fleming-Taylor and her delegation restored the Charter in a ceremony held on 2 February 1991 at the Florida Library in Church Road, Florida, South Africa. Some familiar names amongst those present include; G. Milburn, M. Kirby, C. Pienaar, C. Young, S. Thönell, P. Jobling, H. Beattie and J. Owen.

Of the 12 candidates initiated during 1982 and 1983, only four returned when the Lodge reopened. (Bro. C. Pienaar, Bro. J. Pidduck, Bro. B. Tubb and C. Grant.) Again, there was a need to bring in new members, one such member was Mrs Lynette Strydom, who was initiated, passed and raised in three consecutive meetings in 1991.

The Grand Master, MW Bro. B. I. Fleming-Taylor visited Lodge Protea again in 1997. Among her delegation was VW Bro. Zuzanka Daniella Penn (the current Grand Master). The Lodge moved to the Roodepoort Masonic Centre in 1999 and another move to the Norwood Masonic Hall in 2020. Lodge Protea has withstood some great challenges, tough economic times and dwindling numbers. It is a testament to the principles of Freemasonry and the dedication of the Brethren mentioned above that the Lodge has re-emerged stronger than ever before and continues to flourish.