Meeting Times Lodge meets at Howard Hall, 3rd Mondays in February and November (Installation).
Contact Scribe: C.F. Bonney "Bows Cottage" The Street Feering Essex CO5 9QQ Tel: 01376 573733 Email: bonney@bonneyc.wanadoo.co.uk

Further Information

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There is unsubstantiated evidence that the Royal Ark Mariner Degree was established early in the 18th Century. From 1800 meetings of the Royal Ark Mariner Degree were held under the sanction of Craft Lodges and sometimes the Knights Templar. However, in 1871 the protection and control of the Degree was undertaken by the Grand Lodge of Mark Masons. From 1871 the Mariner Degree made steady progress and by 1899, 47 lodges had received warrants. At present there are around 740 active Lodges in England and Wales and 130 Lodges in the “Districts and Territories Overseas”. The Essex Province has 38 Lodges and including multiple membership has around 980 (as at September 2007).

In England all Mariner Lodges must be attached to a Mark Lodge and bear its number. It has also been laid down that a Mariner Lodge must use the same name as it parent Mark Lodge except in very unusual cases. In 1967 the Grand Masters Royal Ark Council decided that brethren should also be able to receive Provincial and Grand Ranks which are along similar lines to the London Craft Grand Rank. The Mark Grand Master and Essex Mark Provincial Grand Master are the heads of the Order.

As would be expected the ceremony is built around the Great Flood, Noah’s family and the Ark. Although the ceremony is relatively short it fulfils the canon of genuine Initiation rite and its symbolism is worthy of study. When fully understood it captures the hearts of its members as one of the jewels of Masonic Ritual.

The Dunmow Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners No. 527 was Consecrated on 5th September 1975 and is attached to the Dunmow Mark Lodge No. 527. The Consecration meeting was held at the Howard Hall and is has met there continuously since then. The Lodge currently has 28 members most of whom are members of the Dunmow Mark Lodge. On 28th September 2000 the Lodge celebrated its 25th anniversary and held its 100th meeting.

Further information can be obtained from the Scribe:
W.Bro.Chris Bonney
01376 573733
bonney@bonneyc.wanadoo.co.uk