St.Peter's Operative Lodge No.284

A special thanks must go to J.M.Low for the excellent research done on the:-
History of the Masonic Lodges in Caithness.

Lodge St. Fergus. No.252. Wick

( Early - days 1795-1802 )

This was the second Lodge of Freemasons to be set up in Caithness, and was constituted on the 3rd. December 1795 by John Rose Esq. Master of St John's Lodge No.45 in Thurso, along with brothers, Grey Campbell Esq. and Capt.Kenneth Stewart, Master Mason of St.John's No.45. The charter of Constitution and Erection was presented by William MacLeay Esq. The date on the charter is the 3rd of February 1794.

The first Officers of the Lodge were:-

William MacLeay Esq. Master

Gray Campbell Esq. Depute Master

Capt. Kenneth Stewart Senior Warden

Mr. John Durrand Junior Warden

Mr. Hugh Bain Treasurer

Mr. Hugh Warden Secretary

James MacPhail Steward

John Rhind Steward

Mr. John Ross Tyler

At the same meeting the following resolutions were passed:-(a) That each entrant shall pay one guinea of admission dues including the fees to Grand Lodge.The only exemptions that were made were for Operative Masons who paid one half guinea including fees to Grand Lodge.

(b) That each Apprentice who is prepared to advance to Fellowcraft must pay 5/- sterling for that step. (c) And each Fellowcraft raised to the Degree of Master Mason must pay 7/6 for that degree without distinction.

During the month of December 1795 a further two meetings took place in which eight candidates were admitted, and on St Johns night the state of the Lodge funds were read and they stood at £7/13/6d. Not bad for one months operation.

During 1796 twenty members were admitted to the Lodge, so at the end of that year they were well off for members.

At the meeting on St John's night resolutions were passed stating that each Entered Apprentice must serve in that character for a period of twelve months before he can be passed to that of Fellowcraft, and then only if found fit after due examination and is qualified to take that step.

A Fellowcraft will not be raised to that of Master Mason until he has served in that character for six months from the date of being prepared, and not even then, unless he is found duly qualified upon due examination.

If any young brother belonging to the Lodge wishes to go abroad and leave the country and is desirous of being passed and raised in the Lodge, that it would be lawful for the Master Office Bearers to give him these steps on the same night, and then furnished with a Diploma from the Lodge in order that he can be admitted to any other Lodges.

On the fourteenth of June 1797 the Brethren of the Lodge walked in procession from the town hall in Wick to the Church-yard, where Major MacLeay, Master of the Lodge, with the assistance of Capt. Kenneth Stewart, Senior Warden and Mr John Durrand, Junior Warden laid the foundation stone of the new Parish Church.

( 1802-1812 )

Between the years from 1799 to 1802 no meetings took place due to some members being in the services, and also to several of the brethren who remained at home, having become infected with fanatical scruples and prejudices respecting the propriety of Masonic meetings,it therefore became impossible for the Master to assemble sufficient members to constitute a Lodge.

It was not until December 1802 that sufficient brethren returned to the county and requested that Past Master William MacLeay to apply to the Provincial Grand Master stating that St.Fergus Lodge might be reconstituted. This request was granted and the Lodge resumed its business.

On the 21st June 1806 the Lodge met at the Town Hall and marched in procession to the Wick River, where Major Nines, Master of the Lodge, with the assistance of the other Office Bearers, laid the foundation stone of the new bridge.

On the 16th September 1806 the Lodge met, when a message was sent from the Master wishing the presence of Sir John Sinclair, to assit in the laying of the foundation stone of the new harbour of Wick, which after constituting the Lodge in due form.

They proceeded to the opposite side of the river, where Sir John Sinclair, with the assistance of the Master, laid the foundation stone.

Although St John's night had been celebrated over the years, it was not until St John's night in 1812 that the brethren from the Lodge walked in procession around the town.