The Lodge of Stability no. 7374: Tradition and Brotherhood
“The aim of Freemasonry is to make better men, who in turn make a better society; this cannot be done without the journey to gain knowledge, insight and eventually, we have good reason to hope, wisdom.”
Michael Baigent, Editor, Freemasonry Today, Winter 2008/2009
Founded in 1955, with roots much older
The Lodge of Stability was founded in Leeds in 1955 but, despite being 70 years old, it is very young in Masonic terms, being part of an organisation that has thrived for over 300 years and a tradition that extends even further than that.
Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest secular, social and charitable institutions and traces its origins to the medieval stonemasons who crafted our historic castles and cathedrals. Indeed, some researchers claim that its origins can be traced back through the millennia to the most ancient of times, and one of the attractions of Freemasonry for many is the opportunity to delve into its history and mystery.
One of the things you will often hear said about Freemasonry is that it is very personal to every individual Mason.
For some, Freemasonry is about belonging and brotherhood. When you join a Masonic Lodge you’ll not only get to know a new group of people really well through the weekly Lodge meetings but you’ll also have the opportunity to visit other Lodges, not just in Yorkshire but nationally and internationally. As a Mason you really do become part of something that is truly global.
For others, it is about self-improvement; becoming a better man morally and spiritually, and acquiring skills of organisation, communication and self-discipline.
Some like the tradition, the history, and the drama of our ceremonies. Others are drawn to the esoteric aspect and the search for meaning in Masonic symbolism. And for many it is the opportunity to contribute to the charitable works which lie at the very heart of Freemasonry.
For Freemasons, life’s journey is guided by four timeless values: Integrity, Friendship, Respect, and Service. In an ever-changing world, these principles remain steadfast, echoing through the ages.
Membership is open to men over 18, regardless of background, with the mission of empowering individuals to reach their full potential. Freemasonry is about cultivating character, offering support, and encouraging members to make positive contributions to society.
Within this framework, Freemasonry becomes a conduit for like-minded individuals to forge friendships, grow personally, and contribute meaningfully to charitable causes. In 2020, we proudly donated £51.1m in the U.K. alone, solidifying our position as one of the country’s most significant charitable contributors.
Freemasonry by Numbers
We cherish the positive influence we’ve had on our members and our communities. Here are some numbers…
300+
Years of Tradition
30+
Subscribing Members of the Lodge of Stability
200,000+
Freemasons in the UK
5,000+
Freemasons in Yorkshire West Riding Province
£1,000,000
Amount of money raised every week by Freemasons in the UK
£26,200,000
Grants awarded in 2022/3 by the Masonic Charitable Foundation
West Riding Masonic Charities
West Riding Masonic Charities Limited is the designated charity of the Masonic Province of Yorkshire, West Riding.
It is a charity and company limited by guarantee and derives all its funds from the voluntary contributions of Freemasons and their families.
It supports its members and their families when in need by making emergency grants to qualifying Freemasons, their family and dependents, providing Birthday and Christmas gifts to West Riding Beneficiaries and working hard to provide the most appropriate assistance to those in need. Its Care and Support Officers are available to provide assistance, advice and guidance to those who need it.
It also supports the wider community by responding rapidly to provide emergency assistance for local disasters and awarding grants to charities that support the most vulnerable in our communities.
The West Riding Community Fund was launched in 2023 to replace The Provincial Grand Master’s Fund and its aim is to provide grants to non-masonic charities and charitable organisations within our Province. It has since awarded nearly £300,000 to worthy causes in the Yorkshire West Riding area.
The Lodge of Stability 7374
With over 170 Masonic Lodges to choose from in the Province of Yorkshire, West Riding alone, how do you pick which Lodge to join and why do we hope that our Lodge will become your Lodge?
When you become a Freemason you make a serious commitment to give freely of your time and if you cannot attend your weekly Lodge meetings you will not properly benefit from being a Mason. It is therefore important that you pick a Lodge that meets at a time and place that fits around your work and family commitments.
We meet every Wednesday evening at Castle Grove Masonic Hall in Headingley, Leeds. If this time and place don’t suit you, you can find more suitable options here.
We think ours is one of the friendliest Lodges that you will find. We have a diverse membership aged from around 25 to 85, from all walks of life and different backgrounds, hailing from different countries and cultures but meeting together as Brothers in Freemasonry. Our Brethren include company directors, students, entrepreneurs, tradespeople, retailers, and medical professionals, and some who are lucky enough to have retired. Freemasonry offers one of the seemingly very few opportunities in the modern era for men of all generations to meet as friends and equals – something both younger and senior Brethren value enormously.
In the Lodge of Stability we have a very good reputation amongst Freemasons for the high standard of our ceremonies and this is something of which we are rightfully proud and that we practice hard to maintain. But we do so with humour and a sense of fun – Freemasonry is supposed to be an enjoyable hobby, after all.
Here you will find people that enjoy all the many different aspects of Freemasonry, so whatever your personal motivations for becoming a Freemason, you’re sure to find someone who shares your interests and will support you – whether its participating in fundraising activities, exploring the esoteric side of Freemasonry, joining one of the many side-orders, or simply going for a game of golf or a pint.
We want to hear from men of integrity who believe in the three pillars of Freemasonry:
Brotherly Love. A Freemason will show tolerance and respect for the opinions of others and will behave with compassion and understanding to his fellows.
Relief. From earliest times Freemasons have been taught to help those in distress without detriment to their dependents, and to give their support to outside charities.
Truth. Freemasons strive for truth both in their view of themselves and in their dealings with others. Masonry requires high moral standards and its members endeavour to uphold these principles in their public and private lives.
If you share these principles and are willing and able to make an enduring commitment to the Lodge, your future Brethren and to the wider community, we want to hear from you.