L.O.L 1927 BURT FAITH DEFENDERS
The present warrant of L.O.L. No. 1927 was granted on the 7th October 1890.
In the name of Robert Elder. This warrant has been used continuously since then and safely kept through periods of vicious terrorist activity especially in the 1920’s and early 1970’s.
The original L.O.L. 1927 met in the Island of Inch Masonic Hall. This is
confirmed by minutes of the City Grand Lodge meeting on the 31st August
1890 when L.O.L. 1927 sent a communication through L.O.L. No.1 District
stating that they had changed their place of meeting from Inch Masonic Hall
to Bridgend.
The records of the City of Londonderry Grand Orange Lodge indicate that
application was made on Wednesday 24th October 1866 for a warrant for a
new Lodge nut no name was mentioned.
Records of subsequent meetings of the City of Londonderry Grand Orange Lodge reveal that at their meeting on the 17th November 1869 no returns were received from “Inch 1927” (this is the first mention of our Lodge number in the City Grand Lodge minutes).
A Bro. John J Fleming was recorded as being in attendance from L.O.L. 1927 at the City Grand Lodge meeting on the 18th May 1870. Our Lodge had a total of 23 members in 1870.
Bro. Robert Elder in whose name the present warrant was issued is recorded as being in attendance at City Grand Lodge meeting on the 18th November 1874 in his capacity as W.M. of L.O.L. 1927.
On 3rd February 1876 the following resolution was entered in the minutes of the Island of Inch Masonic Lodge No 589, ‘Resolved that Inch L.O.L. pay the sum of £3.00 Sterling to be paid quarterly and that the Secretary write to Grand Secretary (Freemasons) if it was against our Laws to admit use of Hall by Orange Lodge’.
Records of City Grand Lodge meeting on 15th May 1878 indicate that an application signed by Bro. Robert Elder L.O.L 1688 (it appears that Bro Elder transferred from Inch L.O.L. 1927 to L.O.L. 1688) and eight members of Inch L.O.L. 1927 requested a renewal of warrant L.O.L. 1897 (at that time dormant) to hold a Lodge at Burnfoot Co. Donegal. (passed unanimously).
On the 21st May 1879 the following item is noted from City Grand Lodge records. “The returns of L.O.L. 1927 were confirmed and it was ordered that the W.M. of L.O.L. 1927 forward to the W.M. or Secretary of L.O.L.
1897 Burnfoot the transfers of 3 members applied for some time ago. During the period 1879 until 1889 no mention is made of L.O.L. 1927.
On the 3rd April 1890 the Island of Inch Masonic Lodge agreed to give L.O.L. 1927 the use of the Masonic Hall for their business for the sum £2.11 per month for first year. If L.O.L. 1927 did not conduct themselves properly they would have to give up the hall.
Records of the City Grand Lodge dated 21st may 1890 confirm that L.O.L. No 1 District applied for a warrant for a new Lodge at present working under dispensation on Inch Island. City Grand Lodge resolved that the applications be granted.
They City Grand Lodge minutes of 19th November 1890 confirm that L.O.L. 1927 had eleven members and that Bro. Robert Elder was the W.M.
When the Lodge moved to Bridgend in 1890 the meetings took place in the old school house at Bonniemaine a building while now derelict that is still standing.
I was told by me late father that while the meetings were held there the W.M. opened the meeting with a volley of 3 shots fired into the ceiling. (This I do not doubt!)
The name of the Lodge was changed to Burt faith Defenders L.O.L. 1927 after application to the City Grand Lodge on the 5th November 1910, although the name appears on the warrant granted on the 7th October 1890.
In June 1910 an appeal was launched to build a new Orange Hall but the looming crisis of Home Rule, the outbreak of the First World War and the continuing troubles of the period 1916 and 1920’s prevented this being accomplished until the year 1917 (a significant number!)
During the troubles of the 1920’s the owner of the old school house was hot and seriously wounded by I.R.A. gunmen. The Lodge was forced to abandon the old school house and meet in various other houses throughout the area. The Lodge also met in open areas in the Carrowreagh Glen with sons of the members acting as lookouts.
During the period of the 1920’s the Lodge continued to prosper. The new Orange Hall was used extensively ill the 1940’s and 1950’s for dances to raise funds for both Lodge and band. Dances ere held every Tuesday and Thursday night for a number of years but differing trends in entertainment finally took their toll and support for dances dwindled.
The Lodge continued to function and met in the Hall but the troubles of 1969 onwards placed severe restriction on Lodge meetings due to out isolated border location in Co Donegal. On the night of 3rd February 1972 our hall was burned to the ground. After a year long court case malicious damages were awarded to us against Donegal County Council. We still retain the small piece of land on which out hall stood.
After the destruction of our hall we moved to the Apprentice Boys of Derry Memorial Hall in Society Street, Londonderry.
We have struggled to maintain our membership and this has only been made possible by the support of the faithful few who continually attend on the 2nd Thursday of each month.
In closing I wish to acknowledge the help given by Wor. Bro. W.G. Coulter City Grand Secretary in providing the Grand Lodge records from which I researched the information contained in this history. Bro. Coulter also provides the 1934 photograph of our banner unfurling.
It is worthy of note that in this our Bicentenary year the present Worshipful District Master LOL No 1 District Bro. Peter Olphert is a member of the Lodge. Bro. Olphert also serves on the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland Committee and along with Bro. Ramsey and Bro. Samuel Duncan holds office in the City of Londonderry Grand Orange lodge as members of the Committee. Bro. David canning also serves the institution as a member of Grand Lodge of Ireland Finance Committee and has been a founder member Director and Chairman of Mile End Enterprises the Development Company founded by the City Grand Lodge.
By Wor. Bro. David Canning.