Freemasons in Wellington – from 1842 to the Wellesley Building

Freemasonry dates from the Middle Ages and stonemasons who built the cathedrals and castles of Europe. From the early 1700s, men who were not craftsmen were also accepted into membership. Freemasons have been in New Zealand since the early 1800s, and currently have 4700 members in 176 Lodges. Freemasons first met in Wellington in 1842 and have met at different places around the city since that time. There are presently only two active Lodge rooms in Wellington City including at the Wellesley.

The Wellesley Boutique Hotel was built in 1927 for the Wellesley Club, established in 1891 as a ‘junior’ offshoot of the Wellington Club, founded in 1841. Since the 1990s, it has operated as a hotel, with its second floor redesigned for meetings of the Westminster Lodge of Freemasons and other lodges. Wellesley is the family name for the Duke of Wellington, after whom Wellington city was named in 1840.

Architect Warwick Bell will provide an illustrated history of Freemasons buildings in Wellington and discuss the heritage preservation work involved with the Wellesley building, designed by William Gray Young (1885-1962).

Stuart Brooker, part owner and initiator of the Boutique Hotel will also comment on the work involved in refurbishing this category one heritage building for new use as a hotel and for Freemasons.

This will be an opportunity to explore the traditions and symbols of Freemasonry through visiting the special architecture of the lodge.

The $30 cost includes afternoon tea between 3:15 PM and 3:45 PM. This talk will be followed by one about Wellington’s Roaring Twenties – boom time for high-rise construction. Please book below.