So what's the
Operatives all about then?
As part of our ongoing series into the other orders within masonry, arena’s Chris Starnes looks into The Operatives…
Origin and History The full name of this Masonic
organisation is “The Worshipful Society of Free Masons, Rough Masons, Wallers, Slaters, Paviors, Plaisterers and Bricklayers”. The origins of the Order lie in Guild Masonry and have been traced back to Clement Edwin Stretton. He preserved elements of the Old Guild workings in the format in which they are currently worked. Stretton, born in 1850 to a wealthy Leicester family, went to a Derbyshire quarry to learn the mason’s trade when he was sixteen as part of his training to become a Civil Engineer. On arrival, he found no-one willing to help him because he was not part of the Guild. He quickly became a Guild Mason and was at once accepted and trained by his brethren. He returned to the quarry at regular intervals, becoming a Fellow of the Craft (II°) in 1874, a Super Fellow Fitter and Marker (III°) in 1875, Erector (IV°) in 1876, Intendent and Super- Intendent of the Work (V°) in 1877, and passed an examination as Master (VI°) in 1878. His enthusiasm for the old-style Guild Masonry led to him joining a local lodge in Leicester, and eventually became the Senior Passed Master in 1901 and third Grand Master Mason of the York Division in 1908. He became a speculative mason in 1871, being initiated into St. John Lodge No. 279 in Leicester.
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He went through the chair twice as Master and ultimately became Provincial Senior Grand Warden, as
well as being a member of Mark, Royal Arch and the Red Cross of Constantine. His overarching passion was in preserving the traditions, secrets and practices of Guild masonry. By 1908 Guild Masonry had suffered a massive decline and when he revisited the Lodge in which he was indentured, he was saddened to see only seven brothers present. He then set about preserving the traditions of Guild Masonry and, in his capacity as Secretary, authorised the re-opening of the London Section of York Division of Guild Operatives which took place at the Bijou Theatre with Dr Thomas Carr. The second assemblage was formed in 1932 and the Order has since grown to in excess of 100 assemblages worldwide with over 60 in Europe (mostly in the UK).
Eligibility and ranks To be eligible for admission to the
Order a candidate must be a subscribing member of the following Masonic bodies: a Craft Lodge, a Royal Arch Chapter and a Mark Lodge. Candidates do not join the society
but are indentured for a period of seven years.
The candidate progresses through the separate ceremonies of Grade I……. Indentured Apprentice Grade II…… Fellow of the Craft Grade III ...... Fitter and Marker Grade IV…... Setter Erector Grade V…… Intendent, Overseer, Super Intendent and Warden Grade VI …
..Passed Master Grade VII…. Master Mason, The three Grand Master Masons
are the ONLY members of the VII Lodge, and all other persons who have been exalted to the VII, including Brethren who have served the office of Grand Master Mason, are said to be members of the VII honoris causa. The current three Grand Masters are: Rt W Bro Nigel Willows, VII° First Grand Master Mason, Rt W Bro James Field, VII° Second Grand Master Mason and Rt W Bro Derek Burt, VII° Third Grand Master Mason. There are specific time limits
between each level and candidates for progression are (symbolically) required to produce a specimen of their work, have the approval of their Super Intendent of Work, and pass the test of the appropriate Gauge, before progressing further.
ISSUE 19
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