Lodge Mother Kilwinning facts for kids
Lodge Mother Kilwinning is a special group of Freemasons located in Kilwinning, Scotland. It's part of the Grand Lodge of Scotland. This lodge is known as number 0 on their list, which is sometimes called "nothing." Some people believe it's the oldest lodge in Scotland, or even the world! However, there's no old proof to show this. It's often called Mother Kilwinning and is known as The Mother Lodge of Scotland. People think it started way back in the 1100s.
Contents
A Look at History
How the Lodge Began
A story says that Kilwinning Abbey was built by skilled stonemasons. These builders came from other parts of Europe. They supposedly started a lodge right there. Interestingly, another abbey, Dunfermline Abbey, was built 34 years before Kilwinning. In 1599, a man named William Schaw made new rules for lodges. These rules said that the leader of the Kilwinning lodge should test members. They had to show their "art of memory" and knowledge. This was for every skilled worker and apprentice.
Joining the Grand Lodge
Long ago, around the time of King James VII, the Kilwinning lodge began giving permission. They allowed other lodges to form in Scotland. The first known example was Canongate Kilwinning in 1677. This was the first time a lodge gave a charter to another lodge.
In 1736, the Grand Lodge of Scotland was created. The Kilwinning lodge was one of the groups that joined it. That same year, Kilwinning asked to be recognized as the oldest lodge in Scotland. But, like many old groups, their original records were lost. Because of this, they couldn't prove their claim. So, their request was not accepted.
Kilwinning's Journey
After their request was turned down, Kilwinning left the Grand Lodge. They started acting like a grand lodge themselves. They formed new lodges in Scotland and other countries. They even started lodges in places like Virginia and Ireland. Even without new proof, Kilwinning eventually rejoined the Grand Lodge in 1807. They brought all the lodges they had started with them.
Provincial Grand Lodge of Kilwinning
Leadership Changes
For a long time, the leader of Mother Lodge Kilwinning also led the whole area of Ayrshire. This meant many members moved to Kilwinning from other lodges. But in 1983, things changed. Mother Kilwinning was no longer part of the Ayrshire area. Instead, it became part of its own special group. This group is called the Provincial Grand Lodge of Kilwinning. Now, the lodge sends a person to the Grand Lodge of Scotland. This person acts as the Grand Bible Bearer.
Levels of Membership
Understanding Degrees
The lodge offers three main levels of membership in Craft Freemasonry. These levels are called "degrees." Each degree teaches members more about Freemasonry.
The three degrees are:
- Entered Apprentice
- Fellow Craft
- Master Mason
In Freemasonry in Scotland, a Craft Lodge can also give another degree. This is called the Order of Mark Masons Degree. It's like a completion of the Fellow Craft degree. But it's given after a member becomes a Master Mason.
Mother Lodge Museum
Exploring History
The Mother Lodge Museum is a place where you can see many interesting items. It has Masonic artifacts and special clothing. You can find medals, seals, and decorative pieces. There are also old photographs and important documents. If you want to visit, you need to arrange it ahead of time. Visitors can also take a tour of the historic Lodge building itself.
