About Mark Master Masonry
Mark Master Masons usually referred to as The Mark Degree is a fascinating degree and is rightly known as the Friendly Degree; it was originally worked in craft Lodges and consisted of two ceremonies.
The first came after the Fellowcraft Degree where the candidate was ‘made’ a Mark Man, and the second after the Master Mason’s Degree when he was advanced to the Degree of Mark Master Mason. In 1856 English Mark Masons established their own Grand Mark Lodge and the two ceremonies were combined into one. Since then, it has been conferred, not in Craft Lodges, but in Mark Lodges consecrated for that purpose.
The ritual explores the building of King Solomon’s Temple and, like all other Masonic Orders, the teaching of the Mark Degree significantly adds to the knowledge and enjoyment of Masonry linking to other Orders such as Royal Ark Mariners, Royal & Select & Allied.
Mark Masonry in Whalley
The first Mark Master Masons (MMM) Lodge in Whalley was Priory Lodge 693 founded on Monday, 15th September 1919 in the Assembly Rooms, Whalley. The following Brethren of Abbey Lodge were advanced by Scarlet Mark Lodge of Burnley in May 1919, Bros:- Longworth, Hanson, Travis-Clegg, Taylor, Postlethwaite, Roland and Bassnett.
The additional furniture required by the Lodge was made by James Langshaw to blend in with the existing Lodge furniture that he had already made.
Priory Lodge of MMMs celebrated its Centenary in October 2019 but only a few years later in 2025 sadly became unviable. Rather than lose Mark Masonry from Whalley discussions with Starkie Lodge of MMM 159 took place. On Wednesday, 3 December 2025 Priory Lodge hand in its Warrant and immediately afterwards the former members of Priory joined Starkie Lodge which will continue meeting at Whalley.
Starkie Lodge of Mark Master Masons
Starkie Lodge No. 159 has a history spanning over 150 years. The Lodge was named in honour of Colonel Le Gendre Nicholas Starkie (1828–1899) of Huntroyde Hall, Padiham the then Grand Master of the Province of East Lancashire. Colonel Starkie was a significant figure in the local community, a Magistrate, a Deputy Lieutenant for Lancashire, and a former Member of Parliament for Clitheroe.
Starkie Mark Lodge No. 159 was consecrated on 17 January, 1873, and celebrated its sesquicentenary (150th anniversary) on that exact same date in 2023. At its inauguration, the Lodge received Colonel Starkie’s personal permission to use the Starkie family crest shown here, on its Summons and Past Master jewels, a practice that continues to this day.
Starkie Mark Lodge No. 159 initially met at the Station Hotel in Ramsbottom. Over the years, it moved to the Civic Hall in Ramsbottom, then to Haslingden Masonic Hall in 1989, then to Ashdale Lea in Rossendale and subsequently to Whalley in late 2025.
Starkie Mark Lodge No. 159 meets on the fourth Thursday of March, May and October and the first Wednesday of December with the Installation meeting being in March
Future Lodge Meetings
Our next Mark Master Masons Lodge meetings are shown here. They usually start at 7pm prompt followed by a Festive Board held at the Hall.
Should you wish to visit us please let our Lodge Secretary know well in advance so that he can ensure you are catered for. For your convenience we have provided a simple form below for this purpose which goes directly to the Lodge Secretary.
