Antiqui Dierum
Colant Antiquum
‘Let the Ancient worship the Ancient of Days’
(The motto on the City of Chester’s Patent of Arms of 1580 and used ever since)
Deva Lodge No. 3447
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Our History
The history of Freemasonry in Chester can be traced back several hundred years, when Lodges were originally ‘Operative’, but few records exist. However, the Initiation of Elias Ashmole in Cheshire in 1646 is well recorded and papers of the ‘Old Chester Lodge’ around the same period are in the British Museum. Following the formation of Grand Lodge in London 1717, Cheshire was the first Province to be recognised in 1725 when 3 ‘Time Immemorial Lodges’ were registered and the title ‘Provincial Grand Master’ first used.
Deva Lodge was originally established in 1837 as an ‘Operative Lodge’ and changed its name in 1839 to Deva Lodge No.651, taking its name from the Roman word for Chester, but the Lodge ceased to meet in 1856.
In 1910 a new Deva Lodge was formed and will celebrate its Centenary in 2010.
Some of the old furniture and regalia of the original Deva Lodge is still in use,
Including the Master’s Chair, and a plaque depicting the ‘all seeing eye’ with the inscription ‘Deva Lodge No. 651’ hangs above the door to the ante room. The Lodge crest is based on the 1910 Coat-Of-Arms of the City of Chester.
• 1646 • 1717 • 1837 • 1910 • 2010
